In 1970, Chrysler was looking to add some showroom excitement to its Valiant compact which was attracting mostly older buyers. Enter the Duster with a new body from the windshield back, providing a sporty fastback look to an economy car. It worked and they sold like the proverbial hotcakes. This 1971 edition has been parked since 1984 and needs a total restoration, but most of the bones provide a good foundation to work from. Located in Evans, Georgia, this Plymouth is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached just $2,550.

Just how popular was the Duster? Enough that every model year outsold the one before it through 1974. From 173,638 U.S.-sold Dusters in 1970 to 281,378 in 1974. Part of the demand was fed by buyers looking for more economical cars after the ’73 OPEC oil embargo. Interest slipped after 1975 when Plymouth introduced the Valiant’s successor, the ill-fated Volare (lots of recalls). and the fact the car was little changed for its entire run through 1976.

The history of the seller’s Duster goes back to when it was new and the family of a friend took delivery at a dealership in Augusta, Georgia. Though it was parked in 1984 and hasn’t run since then, said family continue to hold onto the automobile until recently. Other than consumables like tires, everything else about the Plymouth may be original. It continues to wear its factory Gold Leaf paint (code Y8) with black stripes, but the stripes are more worn than the paint.

Although the exterior doesn’t bad, bodywork is needed. The front bumper was damaged trying to pull another car out of a ditch. The floorboards and trunk have been bitten by the rust bug and will need to be replaced. The same is true for one of the quarter panels and front fender. Except for the windshield, all the glass is said to be good.

The interior may have suffered the worst of what time and Mother Nature can dish out, with the upholstery being all chewed away. The carpeting is shot, and the dash pad is cracked. The car has factory air conditioning, but not all the hardware may be present. Chrysler’s venerable Slant Six engine is under the hood, the 225 cubic-inch version, according to the VIN. Because the Plymouth has sat so long, the title has flown the coop, so a Bill of Sale is all that’s available. And the remnants of the build sheet which we’re told is barely legible. While someone may turn this car into a Duster 340 clone, it would be cool to see it restored to how it left the factory in Hamtramck, Michigan.