In 1970, compact cars were getting a bit of attention at Ford with its new Maverick and American Motors with its new Hornet. But over at Plymouth, something else was going on. By putting a new roofline and rear styling on its Valiant 2 door model, Plymouth created a sportier looking car. While it wasn’t completely new like Ford and American Motors offerings, it had just the right style to give the Valiant line a boost in sales. Only Plymouth got the model in 1970, Dodge would have to wait one more year. The new look paid off well for Plymouth. They sold 192,375 regular Duster models while selling another 24,817 of this sportier 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 which is for sale here on eBay in Arrington, Tennessee.
The rear styling provided a kickup at the back side windows, with a roofline that tapered down to the taillights. A unique rear end featured a couple of slotted taillights on each side with black striping connecting the taillights on each side and black dual striping on the bodysides. It bridged the gap between a compact economy car and a performance machine. This Plymouth Duster is all original with build sheet, window sticker, and fender tag. The rally wheels give this Duster a sportier look. There is no rust on this originally Arizona car which the seller bought from the original owner.
The interior appears to be in excellent condition. It features black vinyl bucket seats with a center console housing the automatic transmission shifter. There are no cracks in the dash or splits or rips in the seats anywhere. This car also has air conditioning and it is working.
This Plymouth Duster features the 340 cubic inch V-8 engine with 4 barrel carburetor. This car has only been driven 53,000 miles since new. While the exterior paint looks to be in good condition, the painted areas under the hood have suffered a bit. The seller is asking $22,500 Buy it Now Price. If you can’t afford a 1970 to 1974 Dodge Challenger or Plymouth Barracuda, this might be a good alternative.
Gone, and probably not a bad deal even at the asking price. Sure would’ve liked a chance to buy it for what the flipper paid.
Must be something in the paint of that color. Had a 6 banger with the same color and the engine bay looked the same while the body looked good. The way the car is optioned and conditioned, I’m guessing it was bought new by an older person. Good deal for the new buyer if it is a keeper as is, but a break even for a restoration. Air cleaner, wiper bottle and Rally rims may of been added by second owner to show as a more completed car.
This to me is the real Barracuda, as it seems to follow the 67-69 model’s styling and it’s an A body. I think if the E bodies never came out, or Chrysler used a different name, this would have been a Barracuda
I’m not sure what point you’re trying to make here. Your entire post is confusing to say the least. It is indeed built on an A body platform as was the 67-69 Barracudas. In that respect they are the same. The Barracuda was Chrysler’s first entry into the pony car market in ’64 so it predates the Duster by 6 years. Although the Duster was just a trim option on the existing Valiant.
I think his point is that the original Barracudas were just fastback Valiants ,the later 67-69 were A body platforms – and if Plymouth continued the Barracuda as an A body into 1970 then the Duster body style would have been called the Barracuda.
Also, the 1970- 1976 Duster wasn’t a trim option, from the doors back it was an entire different body. The later model Volare Duster was just a trim option ,as was the 1980’s Turismo Duster
I would like to find a car like this with a slant six and a three speed. Problem is, they too have a high buy in price because people want to stuff a V8 in them. I have driven many Duster/Demons, with 198, 225, 318, and 340s. While the 340 was surely impressive, a well running 225 3 speed was a joy to drive, plus it had all sorts of advantages. Easier to keep tuned, more dependable, regular gas and triple the miles per gallon over a 340, plus low insurance rates. I suppose a 318 was the sweet spot here in the engine line up, I would take that too, my family has owned both, but the slant six was by far the old family favorite and I really wish I could afford a nice one again before I croak.
My first car was a 1973 Dodge Dart – shaped like this car – with a 225 slant 6 and automatic transmission. Had bench seats in the front.
The bad: “slow” is understatement — top speed was just under 70mph (If you were going downhill with the wind). The handling was horrible too — those 25mph exit ramps? yeah take those at 26mph and you gonna loose control. Color: Well mine was a pastel colored pea-green lol — we called it “the super slime” lol
The Good: Got the car for 250 bucks and had it 3 years with almost no repairs – so it was reliable. Bench seat in front – fold down backseat that opened into the trunk — ummm great if you are high school kid (as it was a bedroom of wheels of sort hehehe). Trunk itself: The trunk was a good sized so it held all the beers needed for me and the 6 other teenagers I would squeeze into it every friday and saturday night.
I’m sure the ones with the V8 engines were superior automobiles — but hey for a high school kid in the early-to-mid 1980’s –the 6cyl was fine.
My 2nd car was a Fiat X1/9 — lol — much to the horror of all the friends I used to lug around in the super-slime.
A 340 Mopar of any kind is a special car, and this one is especially cool – dry AZ car, all the options you could ask for and low miles. Worth all of the 20k it went for, and in a few years that will look like a steal..
Exactly – I love the sleeper quality of this car. Of course, I may be biased, as I have a 351C-powered Mustang Grande. :-)
Sandy, the 225 – 6 was a great motor, only draw back was the valve cover always leaked oil. Not to start another discussion here.but the 225 back around 64 – 65 had an 4 bbl option that ran well and would eat many other small blocks. Ran one once for a test without no oil and water for around 30 minutes at 2,000 rpm’s and when the motor finally stopped, it was the camshaft that broke, that shut the motor down. I hear they are 300,000 mile motors, just keep oil in them.
My first brand new car was ’71 Plymouth Duster. The duster was not a Valiant-the Valiant name never appeared on the Duster. My ’71 was the 225 six with a three speed on the floor (a $13.00 option). The color was True Blue. Great car, always dependable, would cruise at 100 mph. Sold it when I got married in ’73 because my wife could drive the stick. Had a ’74 Duster with the 225 slant six until my wife totaled it hitting a police car from the department where I was a cop, while I was on duty. Lost the car kept the wife.
deadmanrising In Mexico the first Dusters to come out had the Vailant name across the rear panel in between the tail lights.
Just FYI
Here is a link that has a picture of one.
https://www.autoclasico.com.mx/1971-dodge-valiant-duster-originalito-vendido-gra-coupe/site/?p=15&id_fol_auto=25350
Actually, they originally were called Valiant Dusters ; and the 1970 Dusters had small Valiant emblems on the fenders
The 70 Duster carried the Valiant name on the front fender above the Duster emblem.
Just seen one yesterday with the Valiant name plate on the front fender, just above the 340 Duster name plate, at the 31st Florida Mopar Nationals in Davie Florida. I believe the 70′ is the only year for this. Very nice show!!!!
You are correct. I had 70 duster 340. It was a valiant Duster. 3 speed floor shift 2nd gear was incredible
deadmanrising, need to buy your wife a 3500 RAM truck. Maybe not a new one, but an older one.
These 340 cars were like machine guns.
Roll along at a quiet idle, then you put the hammer down and its like something explodes .
They were and still are wonderfull. Make guys with big blocks go into hiding.
Especially the ones with steel crankshafts prior to 73.
I kind of really like this car just the way it is, I have always liked the 340 decent potential!
Do you have this for sale still?
Dave, I bought this car August, 2022. Such a nice, extremely loaded car. It has 19 factory options including a factory tach. All original paint and interior too. It was in the MOPAR Survivor display, July 2023.
Vinny
Dave,
I now own it in NJ.