Note this auction link, this Duster is located in Attleboro, Massachusetts (Thx jimmyx) JO
I picked this car to review because of its color. Yeah, silly reason I know, it’s code GY8 Gold Metallic but look at that finish’s shine and depth! My guess is that it’s a repaint but there’s no disclosure to that effect in the listing. Beyond that, it just presents perfectly. No high-dollar Mopar muscle car here, just a sharp-looking compact from days gone by and courtesy of a no longer functioning marque. Located in Los Angeles, California this sophomore year 1971 Plymouth Duster is available, here on craigslist for $9,000.
Based on Plymouth’s “war horse” compact, the Valiant, the Duster, introduced in ’70, was a sportier, more modern, two-door coupe. The Duster 340 edition also put Plymouth on equal footing with Dodge and their Swinger 340 compact hotrod. Our subject car, however, is not one of those more exalted versions. Nope, this Duster relies on the indestructible 145 gross HP, 225 CI “slant six” inline six-cylinder engine married up to the ubiquitous TorqueFlite, three-speed automatic transmission. With 55K “reported” miles, the seller suggests that this Plymouth provides “dependable and reliable” power.
Inside, we find, according to the seller, “No frills as Mopar intended, black vinyl/cloth bench seating, woodgrain dash face, tinted glass, air conditioning, aftermarket sound system, and elbow room“. It’s definitely a functional environment, in a clean and tidy condition, The black vinyl bench seat upholstery is so tight that it looks like it’s new. Sure, it is no frills, but its simplicity is comforting at the same time – you know how everything works and can rest assured that this Plymouth isn’t spying on you.
The exterior, as already mentioned, just reached out and grabbed me. Besides the spectacular finish, there’s a like-new black vinyl top covering and a very attractive set of slotted alloy wheels holding up all four corners. The seller adds, “California rake (maybe a little more)” which I guess means that the rear end is jacked up – ’70s style.
The seller suggests, “It’s a stunner and these are hard to come by now that the Blue Chip Mopars regularly hit the almost unbelievable million-dollar stratosphere“. I would supplement that cars like this ’71 Duster are harder to come by because six-cylinder powered variants weren’t deemed worthy and Mopars of this vintage generally have had a tough time surviving adverse climactic conditions, AKA rust! And speaking of weather-related foibles, this Duster, assembled in Hamtramck, Michigan and supposedly residing in L.A. (according to craigslist), is wearing Massachussets tags. What does that mean? Without an inquiry, I can’t say with certainty, but hopefully, this Duster hasn’t spent any winters in The Bay State – it certainly doesn’t appear to have. Of course, the seller has a Mass. area code phone number so maybe the L.A. reference is a selling approach to gin up a more likely West Coast sale. And that leaves me with one last thought, who might be the target audience for a six-cylinder Plymouth Duster?
Seems like a decent price, though “presents perfectly” is a bit of a stretch. The interior and engine compartment both need some work, and it might be difficult to track down some original wheels.
Wheels aren’t that hard to find; I’m about 20 minutes away from the “Blue Hill Plumbing and Heating” truck in the background of one of the Craigslist photos and I’ve had a set of ‘70 small bolt pattern Ralleys up in my loft doing nothing the last 30 years.
Read the Craigs List ad copy, car is being auctioned on some site and the location is in Mass.
Very nice looking car, definitely been repainted and that ain’t the original vinyl top. Slant six with A/C so it’s comfortable and reliable but boring. $9000 is reasonable if it’s really as clean as it looks in the pictures. I’d prefer steel wheels with original hubcaps or Plymouth Rallye Wheels, I’m a stickler for originality.
I thought electronic ignition came out in ’72 for Mopar.
I had a 72 Duster with the 225 slant six and it had points.
Electronic came in 72, I don’t know if it was a mid year change or an option. I’ve had both on 72 318 powered E bodies.
They could’ve replaced the distributor with a newer one if it’s electric ignition. I believe all three American manufacturers came out with electric ignition in 1975, although there could’ve been something in 74, not sure.
only 340 cars had electronic ignition as standard equipment in ’72 , in ’73 all Mopars had electronic ignition
I had a ’72 Satellite 400 that had it. Standard? Can’t say. This is a ’71, that’s what confuses me.
If anyone’s interested, A quick check of my local Verizon phone book lists telephone exchange 292 in Area Code 508 as Osterville, MA (on Cape Cod). The bidding stands at $4500, and the reserve hasn’t been met yet. A good solid driver, with the rarely seen A/C option for cars of this era, given that for cars in the Snowbelt, A/C was considered an expensive and unnecessary luxury. I could do without the vinyl roof though. I don’t like vinyl roofs because they tend to trap water under the vinyl, which rusts the roof. Also, I consider them a phony addition, trying to make a steel roof car look like a convertible, but the attempt isn’t very convincing.
Usually a vinyl roof from the factory was an indication the roof was rusty at assembly.
no, it means it was ordered with one , just like every car made by every company.
Although technically the Northeast is the snow belt, Caoe Cod usually receives less snow and typically doesn’t use salt on the roads because of the fragility of the region’s environment (I used to live there so I know).
It’s nice but 10k nice? I don’t think so.
But where’s all the … LS SWAP LS SWAP crews? Lol
Perfect car to leave as is a d in a few years it’ll be worth lots more
I want it! It has what you need and nothing you don’t! You definitely could pick up some girls with this ride & I might be 60 but I would be putting that bench seat to good use in no time flat! Ok maybe I would have to pay the girl.
I’d sure want to see photos of the underside…
I wonder if this was originally a “Gold” duster. They had a “Gold” decal just above the Duster emblem on the front fender. I don’t know if there were any other options involved with the package. This one looks nice, but I’m not a fan of the vinyl tops either. I don’t know who invented them, but they sure made alot of money for the auto industry. Back in the ’70’s you could get a station wagon with both wood grain paneling and a vinyl top.
Back then a vinyl top not only made the car look classy (as the old leather tops did in days of yore) but it was less work when waxing the car. A non vinyl roof was in the same league as steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps or even no hubcaps! I was there.
So was I, and while you’re entitled to your opinion, I must humbly and respectfully agree to disagree. To each his own, however, so go forth and vinyl away, if that’s your thing. Like all areas of taste, the aesthetic value of vinyl roofs is one of those arguments that can never be settled, so live long and prosper!
$9,000 is not a reasonable price for a bare bones six cylinder duster that clearly needs work. I would think, $5000 – 6000 at best is a fair price range. Yeah I know, it’s a hard find, but for $9000 you can buy something else in better condition with a V8.
A rust free roller with decent paint can easily bring what they’re asking for this driver. If you had to farm out body and paint you’d be hard pressed to get it done for less than 10k.
Those wheels definitely need to go. Don’t need to be replaced by factories either (Cragars/Keystones) anything old school. It would be worth the money for a new interior. Leave the Six alone and cruise it forever.
Couldn’t agree more with you on the wheels.
The car appears to have been repainted. In 1971, there would be a small black “VALIANT” callout just above the Duster decal…..1971 was the last year for that nomenclature (also seen on the Scamp for ’71 as well).
Electronic ignition was not standard across the board until 1974. It was an option in 1973 and, if I recall, it was an option on the C-Bodies and standard on the Imperial as early as 1971.
I agree….the “California rake” and those wheels need to go. An old set of 14 inch steel wheels and the standard Valiant hubcaps would look just fine on it.
Based on the photos, the location looks like Route 1, which runs right through the Attleboros (regrettably lived in Rhude Island on the MA line for some years before escaping back to New Hampshire).
I’d love to have it….just not enough room in the barn and the garage with all of the Swedish tin around…..
Sounds like a Saab story to me!
I believe the “Valiant” badge above the Duster on the front fender was a 1970 only thing.
Al Bundy car
i love it alot
Valiant emblem was a 70 only thing as well as the Valiant insignia on the grille. 71’s did not have them. 70’s also had the tootsie roll head rests. 71 brought new, lower headrests that were standard on base model Mopars for many years afterwards on differenti models. It looks like a New Jersey inspection sticker on the Driver side windshield. You would want to look into the cars history thoroughly. If the body doesn’t have a lot of bondi, and the undercarriage is solid, this is a big bargain. Theire are others out there costing a lot more. Any slant -six Mopar from this era is home-run. The slant-six was one of Mopars all-time best engines. Indestructible.
The Slant-Six is one of those rare economy engines that actually have some performance parts available, such as a new intake manifold for a multiple carburetor setup. Chrysler built an aluminum version for three (3) years, 1961-63 if my memory serves me, but those had problems due to the special head gasket and anti-freeze required. Cost was an issue, and Chrysler gave up on aluminum.
Maybe Liberty insurance will give a discount on this emu cruiser! 😀
Unless you plan to swap out the motor for a hi po V8, it’s best to replace these race-you-at-the stoplite tires & wheels with ones that have whitewalls & wheel covers.
How old is that steering wheel cover?