The seller says that this 1972 Plymouth Duster only spent a dozen years on the road, or more accurately, that it has been parked since 1984. That’s a fair amount of rust for only a dozen years, but depending on where it was located, that’s enough time for road salt to do its dirty work. This one is posted here on eBay in Orrick, Missouri and there is a $2,000 buy-it-now price or you can make an offer. Thanks to jonny C for sending in this tip!
Truthfully, I’ve seen much worse rust on a vehicle, I’m just looking at the stance and remembering my best friend’s Duster with the rusty frame that broke in half and he had to weld it back together again. The seller says that the frame rails are solid, which is great news. There is some welding to do on the floor pans, quarter panels, and a few other areas of the body, but the trunk floor is solid. The trunk lid, not so much. I wish the seller would have included another two dozen photos, but that’s almost always the case with online ads.
Yep, this is a project, there’s no question about it. Or, sadly a parts car. The Plymouth Duster was a sister (or, brother) car to Dodge’s Dart Demon, soon to be renamed the Dart Sport. Hey, Demon is probably a better name than the Beaver, which their semi-fastback model was originally going to be named. Ouch. All of the visible areas of rust or other damage look fixable, it’s the underside that worries me the most on the A-body cars.
This was one beautiful interior at one time – not so much anymore. Even the back seat looks rough, but any good upholstery shop could have these seats looking like new again. The dash will require someone like our own Jamie Palmer, Todd Fitch, or any number of Barn Finds writers, not to mention 90% of the readers, to tackle a project like that. I’m not someone who would take on that project, but a lot of you have done it before with success. The best part about this car for me is that three-on-the-tree, three-speed manual shifter on the column.
The next best thing about this car for me is the 225-cu.in. slant-six engine. This one would have had 110 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, but it isn’t currently in running condition. I’m guessing that with a little coaxing, it could be humming again. The seller hasn’t tried to start it as he was going to do a 340 swap. I’d leave this one as is, at least as far as the drivetrain spec goes. How about you?
Looks like it’s already been lowered –
at lest the right side has.
38 years? Put it back, it’s still recognizable,,pretty amazing someone actually thinks a POS like this is even wanted, but the power of the innernet[sic] I suppose. Slight correction, the Duster, I believe, was a unibody,,no frame rails.
You are correct on the frame rails, sir, I was thinking of the integrated unibody “frame” more so than a separate frame-frame, if that makes sense. Sort like this:
https://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/gallery/rotisserie-1972-plymouth-duster-flaunts-hemi-orange-shade-and-tasteful-mods_11.jpg
Sorry about that, I should have been clearer than the usual SG clear-as-mud. It’ll take a special buyer to grab this one for sure!
Torsion bar rest? Pretty common with these bodies.
Something about that interior looks like it’s been wet. Orrick is in a flood plain, so it’s possible. I really like the 3 spd/slanty combo. Super base!
The snow tires mounted on the back says it all.
How about that Mustang with the creased roof…how does that ever happen?
Only two pedals. Probably 904 trans. Air cleaner too rusty to tell, but it could have the two-bbl “super six”, but probably not as it has manual steering and brakes.
In my part of the Northeast they were were known as “Rusters.”
In Canada Rust Dust.
Biggest problem I ever found on a duster was a tissue paper front suspension. 3AM on a rainy morning and emergency braking situation folded front control arms into pretzel twists.
I live in the rust belt, and drove many an A body car over the years and NEVER had an A arm fold up, and I was driving these in all kinds of weather and many times beating the heck out of them. The suspension is pretty rugged for what it is .
Oh My!
I agree with Scotty, restore it back to original.
A Duster ready for the dustbin of history.
Looks like a rats’ Vacation home inside.
Can’t wait to check tomorrow’s email for the next batch of Barn Finds.
This thing is roached. Time for the big squeeze…
Al Bundy wants his car back.