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Outside The Barn: 1972 Plymouth Duster 340

In the early 1970s, Plymouth had a hot compact car on its hands in the form of the Duster 340. Under the skin, it was a Valiant but had its own sheet metal from the windshield back. Powered by a 340 cubic inch V8, the cars were rated up to 275 hp which provided ample power for a relatively light car. This 1972 edition is a mere shadow now of its former self, with the original drivetrain being long gone. And it has a lot of body damage including some cancer. Located outside the barn in Greenwich, New Jersey, this Plymouth is available here on eBay for the Buy It Now Price of $1,600 (cheap by today’s standards if it can be saved). Another Mopar tip brought to us by Larry D!

Out of more than 216,000 340s that Chrysler installed in cars between 1968 and 1973, the Duster got the lion’s share. Just shy of 70,000 Duster 340s left the factory for four years. Demand fell off a bit after 1970, perhaps due to a badge-engineered version of the car being sold by Dodge starting in 1971 (Demon, later Dart Sport). Still, 15,681 Duster 340s were produced in ’72, with 4-speed manual and 3-speed automatic transmissions, along with the occasional 3-speed manual.

The seller seems a little confused as to whether this roller is a ’72 or ’73 model-year car, but we’re going with the former. It once wore Basin Street Blue paint, but evidence of that is minimal now except for the trunk and floors due to older red primer. The sheet metal is dinged and dented, and the grille is gone. From what we can tell, the floorboards at a minimum have rust, and getting the body back into shape will be an uphill climb.

You’ll need to source another motor and transmission, so no matter how much love and money you pour into this Mopar, it will never be numbers matching. The fender tag has also been removed, so reconstructing exactly how this Duster was built will be difficult. Or you could just start with a clean slate and do whatever you want with it, as a restoration or a donor.

Comments

  1. Avatar photo bobhess Member

    Nothing special here but the prospect of lots of money and lots of time on a rusty car with no power train.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar photo Gary

    Part it out and give it a decent burial

    Like 6
    • Avatar photo Boatman Member

      I’d say it’s already parted out.

      Like 7
  3. Avatar photo Sam

    (M)ostly (O)ld (P)arts (A)nd (R)ust

    Like 1
  4. Avatar photo Dave

    This one is indicative condition for a mopar resto these days. Good luck

    Like 2
  5. Avatar photo Harvey Member

    Worth $160.00

    Like 4
  6. Avatar photo bill tebbutt

    Uh, there are at least two different cars in this listing, and two different barns, parked on different sides of the barns!

    bt

    Like 7
    • Avatar photo DON

      Same car , it has been resprayed primer red. Look at the Bondo under the taillights ; they match

      Like 1
  7. Avatar photo karl

    Definitely a 1972, the vin shows it and the taillights are 1972 only . I’d say it was someone’s parts car, and now somebody is trying to unload the picked over carcass . Unfortunately, its not the most desirable year, and what makes a Duster 340 a Duster 340 is no more. Its too far gone to be worth a restoration , If the rear diff is still original to the car (but I’d bet its been swapped out) , and if the V8 engine cradle is good , and the few pieces that are still useable – maybe ,MAYBE this could sell for a grand, but even that would be pushing it

    Like 1
  8. Avatar photo Emel

    This one frankly needs to go back in ……the barn.

    And by coincidence……it’s barn red. A match made in Car/Barn Heaven !

    Like 0
  9. Avatar photo Big C

    Isn’t this like listing a used trash can? Man, what people will do for cash.

    Like 3

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