While there is something appealing about taking a classic car and cutting away acres of rusty metal to produce a rust-free body, some enthusiasts find the prospect overwhelming. That’s where vehicles like this 1971 Plymouth Duster fit into the equation. It has rust, but it seems pretty minor. Addressing that should be child’s play, allowing the new owner to focus on the more important considerations like the car’s mechanical configuration. It is a blank canvas project where the finished product will only be limited by the buyer’s imagination. If your imagination is already running wild, you will find the Duster located in Meridian, Idaho, and listed for sale here on eBay. Spirited bidding has pushed the price to $2,325, although this remains short of the reserve.

A quick glimpse at the supplied photos reveals that this Duster has led a colorful life. At least one shade is visible covering most of its original Rallye Red paint. The buyer will undoubtedly treat the car to a repaint, but with it dismantled to its current level, stripping it to bare metal and performing another change is plausible. The best news with this classic is its lack of significant rust problems. There is some present in the lower rear quarter panels, but the buyer could elect to address this with patches rather than resorting to wholesale panel replacement. There may also be a small spot at the bottom of the passenger side front fender, but that appears to be it. The floors look excellent, as do the trunk pan, drop-offs, and rockers. The buyer will need to secure a replacement for the missing hood, but the remaining exterior trim and body components are present. As a first point for you to consider, what shade would grace those panels if you found this Duster sitting in your workshop?

The VIN indicates that this Duster rolled off the line equipped with a 318ci V8 producing 230hp. That power found its way through a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission to an 8¾” rear end. This wasn’t the most potent version of the 1971 Duster, but it could still despatch the ¼ mile in 16.8 seconds. That is essentially irrelevant now because we’ve reached the point where we can discuss what makes this Duster a blank canvas. The seller indicates that the V8 and transmission are gone, although the rear end remains intact. The buyer can let their hair down here because there are many options to consider. Locating a period-correct 318 is possible if a faithful refurbishment is the goal. Alternatively, something more potent, more modern, or both, could find its way under the hood. The next owner will be spoiled for choice, and I’ll be interested to read the comments to see what paths our readers might follow.

The seller removed the Duster’s interior trim, but this photo indicates that most pieces are intact. Originally trimmed in Black vinyl, it would have offered a striking contrast to the Rallye Red exterior. The seat upholstery may be okay, but only an in-person inspection would confirm this. The buyer will start their shopping list with a headliner and carpet set, but the list will grow before they put down their tools for the final time. If the seat upholstery proves unviable, it is another aspect of this classic that leaves the buyer with plenty of options. They could choose a faithful path, although the lure of cloth or leather may prove irresistible. The lack of the original drivetrain could make it tempting for the new owner to “push out the boat” on this build.

The lack of significant rust in this 1971 Plymouth Duster would make it an ideal candidate for an enthusiast considering a first project build. The potential locked away in this classic is significant and helps explain why there have already been eighteen bids submitted. There is plenty of time remaining on the listing, leaving scope for the bid total and price to climb. If it stays somewhere within its current range, it would be an affordable starting point for someone to create something genuinely unique. If you were that person, what would you slot under the hood?