There are various reasons why a person will purchase a particular car. They can range from practical to aspiration, but it is less common that they will hand over the cash simply because they like the paint color. That is the story behind this 1973 Plymouth Duster, and the elderly lady owner loves it so much that she has decided the time has come for it to find a new home after nearly fifty years in her care. She handed the sales duties to a third party who has listed it here on eBay in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The bidding has raced to $9,588, although it remains below the reserve.
The story of this Duster largely revolves around its paint shade of Mist Green, which I agree is an attractive color. The Dark Green vinyl top adds a perfect contrast, creating a classic with a classy appearance. The seller uses the traditional line about how the owner is a little old lady who only drives the car to church on Sundays, and there’s generally only a grain of truth in such claims. However, the consistent overall condition of this Duster suggests it could be valid. The paint shines beautifully, the vinyl is in as-new condition, and there’s no evidence of rust. I examined a few crucial areas in the supplied photos and could not spot any corrosion issues that might indicate deeper potential problems. It requires an in-person inspection to confirm it, but it appears the buyer won’t be spending money on those types of dramas. There is no evidence of restoration or repair work, and none are mentioned in the listing. The glass and trim are spotless, and the narrow whitewall tires add a perfect finishing touch to the exterior.
Duster buyers in 1973 could choose one of several engines to power their new purchase. This car’s original owner drove out of the showroom in a vehicle powered by the bulletproof 225ci slant-six. It should produce 105hp, which feeds to the road via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The combination is hardly likely to score a win at the “Traffic Light Grand Prix,” and the ¼-mile ET of 19.3 seconds confirms it. However, that wasn’t the purpose of the exercise because Plymouth designed this Duster to provide reliable and stress-free motoring. The engine may be tame, but as the seller rightfully points out, these motors are as tough as old boot leather. It appears to have survived untouched for five decades and should have many more years of service to offer the successful bidder. The engine bay presentation isn’t as impressive as the rest of the car, but I don’t see that as bad. It appears untouched, allowing potential buyers to confirm whether there are any visible fluid leaks or other signs of problems. Besides, meticulously detailing this area would be a satisfying task that should deliver excellent results. The seller states this Plymouth has a genuine 55,000 miles on the clock but doesn’t mention verifying evidence. If it is all that they claim, the owner may hold service records or other documentation as confirmation. Although they supply no specific information on how it runs and drives, the impression is that this gem is in excellent mechanical health.
Certain terms are guaranteed to set an enthusiast’s teeth on edge, and undoubtedly “time capsule” is one of them. However, it could be an accurate assessment of this Duster’s interior. It is trimmed in Dark Green vinyl that is in as-new condition. There’s no wear or physical damage, and the driver’s seat has avoided the typical and acceptable stretching that often occurs due to long-term use. It looks like nobody ever used the back seat, and the rear parcel tray has none of the usual scratches or marks. Rounding out the interior are a dash, pad, and wheel, that are faultless. It isn’t heavily loaded, but the new owner receives a factory AM radio and the safety of an aftermarket high-mount brake light.
Certain cars make an immediate impact and leave a positive impression, and this 1973 Plymouth Duster is one such vehicle. That a person could hand over their cash because they like the color and then retain it for five decades is an extraordinary story. Its impressive condition confirms how much the elderly lady cherishes this gem. The seller raises the possibility of the buyer transforming it into the Duster of their dreams, but I feel that modifying this Plymouth would be a tragedy. Slotting a V8 under the hood is a straightforward task, and that has been the fate of many six-cylinder Dusters from this era. I acknowledge that the drivetrain combination isn’t the most potent, but therein lays part of its appeal. It is common to see these cars tweaked and modified, but seeing one so beautifully preserved is less so. I hope the successful bidder continues the treatment and approach adopted by its original owner. It deserves it.
Wow. I cant beleive it. When I was a kid in the early 80 s a neighbor kid 2 doors down had a Duster exactly identical to this. Same exact green, same vinyl top, same dark green interior, even had a slant 6. He drove it for a number of trouble free years, it was in as good a condition as this one back then. I sure hope someone buys this and treasures it just like the previous owner did for 50 more years. Theyre only original once. And this Duster sure looks original.
“Mean Mary Jean’s” car.
I remember reading somewhere that back in that era her actual personal car was a Pontiac Firebird.
For $10K, I’d grab it, leave it unmolested & make it a summer daily.
You’re in Buffalo. There is no summer.
I graduated high school in 1973.
As a purist, I love the slant 6. As a realist, dropping in an 8 would power aftermarket a/c. Those vinyl seats get mighty hot in summer.
Sit on a towel. That’s what I did back then
I’m the 70s and 80s these where everywhere cheap transportation
This is the kind of car that everyone passes you on. Even if you are driving 70. It just screams little old lady driving. Which, in this case, was accurate. Can’t get over 10K price for these, they are just old cars with nothing engaging whatsoever in the driving experience.
Would love to know the backstory on these low mile cars. My 69 Cutlass only has 57k, little old lady from Hershey owned it until 1997, actually has a flyer from her church in glove box. She must have taken the bus to work every day, car had to be garage kept. And she bought a car with buckets, console, ac, and the L74 310hp/350!
Just wondering why old ladies are always ” little”!
Nice car by the way.
My Duster 340 is this F1 Mist green ; Its a 1973 only color, and apparently it wasn’t a really popular . Mine has no vinyl top, but has the black interior and black stripes which I thought gave it a nice contrast against the bright green . I dont know if I would have bought the car 44 years ago if it had the dark green interior , its too much green ,and looks like a sliced cucumber IMHO . Still, if my wife would let me , I wouldn’t mind having this in the garage parked next to mine !
Buy it. Don’t do anything to it. Enjoy!
My parents had a ‘73 Duster, same color, no vinyl top. Had a black ‘swoosh’ stripe along the length of the car at the top of fenders / doors. Interior seats were partially yellow and green plaid fabric. Wax their first new second car Took my road test in it. Great memories.
I agree with Don about the weird color combo but if this car is as good as the photos indicate, I could overlook the vinyl top.
What was it about the vinyl top fad, anyway? I never undersood it, glad it’s over.
Bidding now up to $14,995, so reserve met. Even in pristine condition (which it is), I believe it’s reached its max value.
I’m sorry, but even when I see a Duster 340, I think of these straight-six granny cars.
Until it walks away from you at a traffic light !
Do you think that way when you see a Nova SS ? Lots of grannies drove the straight six versions of them too.
I do not see how many miles are on this ride. Also, the underside of this hood looks like it is pan cake batter tan and not green. Pay attention to the rubber hood bumpers by the radiator yoke as they have paint overspray on them, which is not factory practice. Would also like to see picture{s} of the inside trunk area.
OK enough is enough. The bidding is past $9500. It should be at least SOME kind of V8 car! Nothing disappoints more than looking through a car ad and it’s a cherry, then they save the surprise for last and THEN inform us that it is a 6 banger. Blasphemy I say!
95 % of these were 6 bangers , it should almost be expected
looks like a nice car I had a 71,orange with a black vynl top with a 318 my wife had an orange 71 340.they were both great cars ,but I had to do alot of work on them to keep them running.
SOLD for $16,350.
I had a ’73 Barracuda cheaply repainted by a previous owner dark metallic green. When that paint would get a chip in it, this was the color underneath.
Wow can you believe that price?
My younger brother had a 72 duster. Good car. Slant six with a torque flight. Only problem I remember was the throttle cable kept breaking. The winters of 78 and 79 took a huge toll on the body, but it was a simple, reliable car.