Plymouth’s 1960s compact, the Valiant, was a solid automobile, but it lacked pizzaz. So, Chrysler went about changing that image by creating the Duster in 1970. Though still a Valiant underneath, the fastback body was all-new from the windshield back. It would be a popular addition to the line-up and sold well until the Valiant was discontinued in 1976. This 1970 Duster 340, the performance model, wears its original In-Violet paint (known over at Dodge as Plum Crazy) and is a project that may get by with a little mechanical work. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this garage-kept survivor is available here on craigslist for $16,500. Thanks, Pat L., for another cool Mopar tip!
At the heart of the Duster 340 was the 340 cubic inch small-lock V8 that debuted in 1968. Through 1973, the powerful little motor found its way into nearly 217,000 Dodge and Plymouth installations. The 1970 model year would be its best at more than 56,000 copies, of which nearly 25,000 found their way into the new Duster. Many of them were fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission, which is the case with the seller’s car. At 130,000 miles, we’re told this Duster is “all original” which implies the engine and tranny are numbers-matching, but that’s just an assumption.
This Duster belonged to the seller’s father who we think has passed away, leaving it to his child to do something with. We’re told the car starts up well but won’t move around on its own due to a bad pressure plate in the clutch that needs replacing. So, the car appears to be shifted from here to there in at least one pic via dollies under the wheels.
The car’s factory “purple” paint looks okay in places, but thin in others and could be ready for a redo after 52 years. There seems to be a tiny rust hole by the right taillight, but nothing is mentioned about any corrosion in the listing. The interior has been redone, though there appears to be a flaw in the driver’s bucket seat. It’s time for this car to move to a new home and with a minimum of work, it could be the occasional driver for local shows. They’re only original once.
340, 4sp Mopar 🏁 👍 😎
Neat duster. I,m geting a 71 dusterorig. In viloit stick car. I think it was a twister. Sure like to have this one
Nice car ! I know old Mopars being a lot but the Dusters at least here in Florida are still pretty reasonable. If it was mint , yeah maybe be would get that price . But it definitely if you look at it closely needs a total repaint, that Mopar probably needs to be gone through and replace all seals and gaskets and maybe more. Looks like once the old man passed, which doesn’t sound real recently but maybe nothing has been done to it and it’s just sat. The interior pictures are not good but it looks like it may need a new headliner and some freshening up. All the little stuff adds up and if you could get it for a reason able best offer, it could be a fun and nice car!!
That price for mint? Where have u been??340 Dusters and Demons are getting 40k mint. With the 4 speed, that was a good price and of course it is no longer available! Good score for somebody!!!
That was a really good price. 340, purple, 4-speed… ticked all the a-body boxes.
And gone…………….
340 one of the best engines ever. Good luck to new owner.
Sorry but that grill is from a 1971. 1970 never came with that drill… Ever. Plus that color is wrong for a 1970 as well. Looks correct under the hood though.
You nailed it !
This is actually quite the bargain! The Duster is one of the few remaining vintage automobiles in which prices are still reasonable on.
Here in Canada that grille was on a 71 model, may be correct in U.S. though.
put the 340 wedge sticker on the hood……….
Everything pretty cool….except i don’t see the duster tornado cloud logo on the rear of the quarters.
Would be akin to a Roadrunner…..without the little guy that goes Meep Meep.
Not all of them did , though this ones been painted and it may have had one. Same with the fenders, some had Duster emblems, some had Duster stickers