With the blacked out hood, it would be easy to mistake this Duster for a desirable Twister or 340. Don’t get too excited though, it’s a base slant six model. I remember when people didn’t want these cars, but now it seems that everyone is scampering to buy anything with a even slight resemblance to a muscle car. Dusters do have their merits though and a few people will pay big bucks for special ones (as evidenced by the sale of our Gold Duster), but I’m having a hard time seeing the value here. There’s lots of rust and the engine is bad, but yet bidding over on eBay is very active. I suppose the prospect of picking up a project on the cheap is tempting. Besides using it as a parts car, could there be an upside to restoring this dirty Duster?
Over the last few years with the acceptance and rising value of what some call ‘Tribute’ cars and outright resto replica builds,…basic plain jane bodies are becoming more valuable and almost ridiculously priced by the day…
In High School,…I was lucky enough to own a 71 Duster Twister, in Hemi Orange, with the 440 Hood scoops, blacked out hood, with a laser stripe in the center, and ‘Sharks tooth’ grill… The Twister stripes down the side,…Black out taillight panel along with The orange and black Houndstooth bench seats with the rest Black interior finished the whole Muscle car look…It came with a COPO 340 Wedge engine, with the decal deleted and a 727 Automatic with NO Air cond…I added a set of Appliance wheels and larger tires in the rear that definitely gave it ‘The Look’… LOL…It was a little screamer, but not much on comfort in the hot southern summers…. I had to trade it in 1974 for a new car to travel in for my job, that had air, more room for riders and comfort… I found a new 74 Monte Carlo with a 454, solid white, Beige interior with swivel bucket seats and auto in the floor…both were awesome cars, but I wish i still had the little Duster… it just oozed MUSCLE……
Just a front shot,… like to have never found the pic.
Love that front shot. All the good stuff!!!
I have a 71 duster,got it free about 5 years ago. Its a factory fc7 in violet,bucket seat,3 spd and a 8 3/4 rear axel. I have been collecting parts over the years and just cant seem to find the time to get her going. Someday will come-in the mean time I keep the mostly rust free in a garage. It also is a v-8 car. I should put it on b/f so others can see it.I had lots of dusters,darts ect.But this one is really cool. I think it might have been a twister. I plan on putting a 340 in and a four speed,paint it the correct color,but do the blacked out hood top of fenders and doors and the 340 wedge on the hood. Also I have a sharktooth grill,and the factory 340 exhaust tips.God I wish I could just get to it. meanwhile atleast I keep it dry and preserved.