While I admit a bias towards most classics wearing the blue-oval badge, I can’t help but admire the styling of the early Plymouth Dusters. Cars like this 1972 example look crisp and clean, making them an ideal candidate for a project build if muscular presence is a key consideration. This Duster is a blank canvas, with no engine or transmission to muddy the water when the next owner chooses a drivetrain configuration. The panels need work, but it is a solid vehicle awaiting someone to lavish it with TLC. Located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, the Duster is listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $4,000, and eighty-seven people are watching with interest.

This Duster is far from perfect, but it does pack a surprise or two. Let’s start by tackling the topic of rust. That’s probably the ace this car holds up its sleeve. I’m not going to claim it’s rust-free, but it is better than many you’ll find of this vintage. The owner claims that it is limited to an area in the spare wheel well and a spot behind the rear wheel on the passenger side. The underside shots show nothing beyond surface corrosion, while the prone region below the battery is rock-solid. Externally, it appears as clean as you could ever hope to find. Its True Blue Metallic paint looks tired, but that is unlikely to cause the next owner sleepless nights. They will address this shortcoming once the panels are whipped into shape. Most sport a few more minor dings and marks, although the passenger side rear quarter panel seems to carry “mucho Bondo.” It isn’t clear how much is there, and the buyer may need to grind it away to determine whether they need to spend around $230 on a replacement skin. Included is a new vinyl top in the box and a new windshield and seal. Most of the trim looks okay, and the tidy Rallye wheels finish the exterior nicely.

When it was shiny and new, this Duster’s engine bay housed a 225ci slant-six, backed by a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. This combination offered 110hp and the ability to cover the ¼ mile in 18.9 seconds. That is hardly a figure guaranteed to set pulses racing, although that combination is now a distant memory. The engine bay is full of nothing but fresh air, leaving scope for the new owner to let their imagination run riot. A V8 will probably be their weapon of choice, but which one? Anything up to a 360 would bolt in with little effort, although the prospect of a 440 or a Hemi would be tempting. Any of those options would offer the new owner performance to burn.

Another area of the Duster requiring plenty of attention is its interior. It appears to be complete, but the upholstered surfaces have deteriorated beyond repair. How the buyer tackles a re-trim will depend on whether they crave a stock appearance or if custom seating and upholstery prove irresistible. Someone has also cut the dash to accommodate an aftermarket stereo, and they’ve been none too delicate in the process. It requires repair, or the buyer might simply elect to slot another stereo into the hole.

When it comes to project cars with genuine potential, this 1972 Plymouth Duster rates highly. It isn’t perfect, but its lack of significant rust makes it a solid foundation from which to work. The biggest question the buyer will face revolves around what to slot into the engine bay. I’m not a betting man, but I’d feel safe saying that a slant-six won’t occupy the space. So, what will it be? A 318? A 360? A 440? Why not go for broke and bolt in a Hemi? Come on. You know you want to.