One of the great battles facing some enthusiasts is locating an appropriate candidate for a project build. Often, sellers can prove optimistic with their sale price and are unwilling to consider alternatives. That isn’t the case with this 1975 Plymouth Duster. The seller’s price makes it a potentially affordable classic, and their willingness to consider trades helps its cause. The seller listed it here on Craigslist in Longmont, Colorado. They have set their price at $3,800 but will consider trades for the right vehicle. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this promising project.
It isn’t clear whether this Duster has been part of the same family since the day it rolled off the showroom floor, but the seller indicates it entered their lives in 1975. That gives it a known ownership history, which is always a positive attribute. Its Frosty Green paint is well past its best, and a repaint will form part of this project build. However, the buyer will face rust repairs before considering picking up the spray gun. It has impacted the lower rear quarter panels and lower front fenders. That represents the tip of the iceberg because the new owner faces repairs to the trunk pan corners and the task of replacing the floor pans. Replacement steel is readily available, with a one-piece floor pan retailing for around $550. If the buyer is handy with a welder, addressing the rust may not break the bank. I can’t spot any issues with the glass, while the trim and bumpers look acceptable for a driver-grade classic.
Although Plymouth offered a variety of engines in their 1975 Duster range, this car features the entry-level 225ci slant-six that produced 95hp in its prime. The power is fed to the back wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, allowing the vehicle to cover the ¼ mile in 20.3 seconds. That is leisurely by any standard, but brutal performance was not the aim of this configuration. The company envisaged this car as a relatively fuel-efficient alternative equally comfortable as a daily driver or cruising the open roads at freeway speeds. In those situations, this Duster would shine. This Plymouth remains mechanically original and unmolested. The seller recently rebuilt the carburetor but admits the engine would benefit from a tune-up. They include new front wheel cylinders so the buyer can return the brakes to their best. The buyer also receives new rear shocks, engine and transmission mounts, belts, and a Haynes Repair Manual. Returning this classic to a mechanically roadworthy state may take more time than money, which must be considered when assessing its financial viability.
The Duster’s interior may be complete, but the owner is candid about its condition and needs. The seat frames and most of the dash are okay, but the shopping list includes seat foam, seatcovers, carpet, headliner, door trims, and a dash pad. The seller dismantled the gauge cluster for rebuild but never finished the job. It remains dismantled, leaving the new owner with the fiddly task of putting Humpty Dumpty back together again. The interior will take time and patience to return to its best, but there is nothing the buyer couldn’t complete in a home workshop.
Whipping this 1975 Duster into shape will not be a five-minute task and will require someone who is dedicated. A faithful restoration won’t transform it into a mega-bucks classic, and even if the new owner achieves perfection, it will struggle to command $15,000 in the current market. Any restoration would require the new owner to be hands-on in their approach to remain financially viable. My greatest concern is that values for entry-level Dusters have defied market trends, dropping over the past couple of years. Whether this will continue is unclear, but potential buyers must decide whether the risk-versus-reward equation makes it worth taking a chance on this classic. The parts required to return this car to its former glory are readily available, but would you be willing to roll the dice on this Plymouth as a potential long-term investment?
Not worth it
Maybe not to you, but what if a 75 Duster was your first car? What if you have a well equipped garage and some do it yourself skills? I agree that 3000 is far too much. Maybe a grand or less. At that kind of price someone could put time and love into her, and bring her back to life. Value isn’t always measured in dollars and cents you know. The monetization of the hobby will probably be its death knoll.
There has been a lot of Duster’s on BF lately, and they were in much better shape than this one. When you have to redo the interior and the exterior, you can’t demand the price this guy is asking. And the engine doesn’t command the price either, no knock on the 6 cylinder it’s a great engine. But altogether it doesn’t add up. If it looks like sh*t, smells like sh*t, it’s probably sh*t. This is an example of a beater, it’s had it’s day in the sun and it’s getting dark..
Plenty of dustbins around , for that kind of money find something without having to replace half the body.
$500
I had an almost identical car for my first car (which I shared with my twin sister all though high school). Ours was a Dart not a Duster — but had the same 225 slant 6 engine. Top speed was maybe 70mph going downhill with the wind, it handled so poorly it was dangerous on exit ramps — however it was a great 1st car and considering how we treated it I’d say it lasted pretty darn good. It would be nice (and kinda funny) to pick up one for old-times-sake — however I wouldn’t pay more than 500 bucks for one — and wouldn’t pay that for this one lol.
Only accident that was ever my fault was a 1975 Dart with the slant six. These motors were choked so bad, and ours would hesitate and lose power at the worst times. Like when I pulled out in front of a bus. Car died, back end was whacked! Yet that motor pulled a pop up all over the eastern US. And a 15ft 85hp speedboat to Ottawa.
It had a Earl Scheib paint job when my dad sold it, and would prefer the Dart today.
95 HP Dustbin. Wouldn’t have wanted it new…so….No again.
Some people will keep any junk around.
You really hating on all the Mopars aren’t you ?
This car is bordering on a parts car – its just a beater at this stage ; its not one of the more desirable years or drivetrain , the whole interior is destroyed , its practically a base model and the frost green paint is IMHO the worst color Chrysler ever put on an A body . I’m a big fan of A body Mopars , but if someone I knew told me he was putting this in a demo derby, it really wouldn’t bother me too much