When a seller lists a car for sale claiming that it is a show winner, the best thing they can do is to supply a wide range of photos that “sell” the car’s virtues to potential buyers. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with this 1972 Plymouth Duster 340. However, they reveal an extremely tidy classic with no apparent needs. It has a claimed 50,000 original miles showing on its odometer, and I’m sure most of our readers will feel that it would look great parked in their garage.
Plymouth launched the Duster for the 1970 model, with the car evolving slowly before the company drew the curtain in 1976. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1972, with the first owner teaming Blue Sky paint with a White vinyl top and matching stripes. The presentation is all you might expect from a vehicle the seller describes as a show winner. The paint is free from significant defects, the vinyl hasn’t lifted or discolored, and the stripes are crisp. There is no evidence or mention of rust, but there is also some frustration. I have no issue with someone claiming that their classic is a show winner, but I feel that such claims require some clarification. It would be nice to know when and where it scored trophies, and in what categories it tasted success. That is my personal opinion, and you may not agree. The trim and glass look excellent, and although the Cragar wheels aren’t original, they are appropriate on a classic of this vintage.
This Duster’s first owner is what I classify as a brave soul, ordering the car with the interior trimmed in White vinyl. That shade is prone to stains and deterioration, but there are no such problems visible in the single interior shot. The trim looks excellent, with only a few developing yellow edges. The dash and pad are spotless, and when you team that trim combination with a console and floor-mounted shifter, it is undeniably classy. The only flaw I can spot is a crack at the top of the wheel. There are no engine photos, but given its model designation, readers won’t be shocked to learn that this Duster is powered by a 340ci V8 that produces 240hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque. The power feeds to a 3.23 Sure Grip rear end via a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission. Emission regulations may have been biting by 1972, but the fact this Plymouth could still scorch the ¼-mile in 15.3 seconds confirmed that there was still respectable performance available for those willing to spend the money. This classic might be able to improve on that ET because its engine breathes easier through aftermarket headers. The seller claims this Duster has 50,000 miles on the clock, without mentioning any documentation beyond the original Build Sheet. However, this classic runs and drives extremely well, and seems to be a turnkey proposition.
The seller listed this 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 here on eBay in West Frankfort, Illinois. The high bid of $16,250 is below the reserve, but the interest it has generated suggests the price will climb as the auction winds down. That begs the question of what it may need to reach before passing the reserve. I searched online and spotted this Duster on another site with a BIN price of $44,000. That figure is at the top end of the market, but if this Plymouth is all that the seller claims, the price might be justified. Do you agree, or do you have another figure in mind?
Install some 3.91s ⚙️ to go w the Torq-flite equipped 340, and watch this powder blue Duster wind right up, and move down the road.
As far as Duster 340’s go, this one is probably the most eye-opening, with powder blue & white color combo! Can’t say I’ve seen another like this.
GLWTA!
The sellers Ebay ad sure leaves a lot to be desired ! The seller “says” its a Duster 340, but then keeps posting it as an 8 cyl coupe – does it have the 340 in it or a 318 ? There’s no mention of the vin# , so were left to assume its a 340 car because of the stripes ? Even though there’s no mention of it ,Its been repainted , that hood scoop was not the optional scoop available in 1972 , and the Pentastar bolted to the right fender was not on the 72 model cars. The steering wheel is from a 68-69 Mopar, they were not on Dusters . The photos are sparse , to me the dealer selling this is either not very bright or is purposely not showing pictures because of obvious overspray, poor bodywork or rust – no under hood ,in trunk under car, door jams , etc. The ad and pictures read like a real estate ad – show the good stuff to get interest ,and hide areas that need work. Definitely a cool looking car, but I’d go over it with a fine tooth comb before putting any bid on it !
The steering wheel also has a Dodge logo center cap on it.
That is the proper scoop for a 72, the earlier Dusters ans Demons had the separate twin scoops.
That style was used from 72 and up
nope, 1973 and up used these, not 72 .I had two 72 340 Dusters with the twins scoops and twister grille , my 73 340 does not have the scoops, but the accessory brochure shows it
The scoop doesn’t even fit right as the 70-72 Dusters had raised body lines on the hood from front to rear . It should have the twin Swinger 340 scoops on either side of the raised area . the redesigned front end in 73 had the flat hood . With the little things pointed out here , this could be a cobbled together car…..
My understanding is the same as Bone’s. You could not get a hood scoop on a Duster from the factory in 1972 except on the Twister. This dealer also lists the VIN as “72PLYMOUTH” LOL! This sounds like an investigation for Uncle Tony. I would be suspicious of this one.
The pentastar on the right fender was on 72 cars, or at least some of them. My survivor 72 has it, for example. It may have been a transitionary year for it? That I’m not sure. I agree with everything else you pointed out.
Engine is the whole point of this car and to not include one engine compartment picture(?) No VIN# to confirm 340 from the factory(?) Fishy……..
“Show winner” carries little weight without something to back it up. The car could have entered one local show and got a trophy. And it might have been a people’s choice award. which doesn’t mean much.
Exactly, context matters. I know someone that traveled with a friend to a two day bracket race, he hauled his street bike in his friends trailer. He raced his bike and won both days, at the next race he told everyone within ear shot that he won both days. After he walked away someone said he was the only one entered in the motorcycle class each day.
Steve R
That happened to me. Went to the first Spring Nationals at Bristol to race me 40 Chevy D/Gasser. Didn’t expect to win, but it was the first National meet that was close to me. When I got there I discovered the new Modified Production class. Rules were about the same as Gassers, except you couldn’t set the engine aft from the original position. All the serious Gassers had set their engines back, but I hadn’t. Tech inspection classed me as C Modified Production. At the time, you could only set national records at a National meet. I was the only C/MP car there so I won my class and set national record. At the next Nationals somebody got serious and dropped the record from 12.9 to 11.5 seconds!
“SHOW WINNER” means nothing. I was at a fireman’s car show years and a fireman had his 6 banger. not painted and oil all over the engine department and he won the class.
ok experts, I owned a 1972 Dodge Demon bought new and it has the single twin snorkle hood scoop, only mine was black. 71’s had the two individual scoops.
When I was looking for my first car I went to look at a 340 4spd Demon that had the same scoop you described on a largely blacked out hood. I let it slip away because I was young and dumb and didn’t realize at the time you needed to act on good deals like that car was, right then and there. That’s the one car I’ve always wished I had bought.
Steve R
Demon yes, Duster , no
The Demon and Duster are two different cars, as is the Challenger and Cuda.
Ummmmm…a Demon is not a Duster, lol.
50,000 miles and needs rear springs already ? Pass…..