Plymouth introduced the Duster in 1970, a fastback version of the compact Valiant. The car proved quite popular, including the performance version called the Duster 340 (small-block, 275 horsepower). Not everyone wanted that much muscle, so Plymouth came out with the Duster Twister the next year. It had the same looks but with smaller engines. The seller’s version has the venerable Slant-Six and looks faster, but it may need a little TLC.
The idea behind the Twister was simple – combine the appearance of a Duster 340, with either the 225 I-6 or the 318 cubic inch V8. The car had special striping that looked like the 340’s, sported a black-matte hood, and had the same grille as the 340. Since it was an option on the regular Duster, production numbers aren’t known. The seller’s car looks good but is presented with few details and photos (none of the interior or the “Twisted Six” that the seller references).
This Twister may only have 38,000 miles, which is hard to imagine after 53 years. The car may be quicker than when new as a 4-barrel carburetor has recently been added (I assume a manifold change, too). The fuel pump is new, and the replacement rubber donuts have all their original tread. It’s said to run well and is garage-kept when not in use. There is a bit of rust on the car, though it’s hard to find in the photos.
If you’re one of those folks who prefers the looks of the Duster 340 without the power, perhaps this Twister is right for you. Located in Sag Harbor, New York, this Mopar is available here on craigslist for $14,500. It comes complete with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
NE cars are always up against it for rust.
If its solid, a 340, and new 8 3/4 rearend w 3.91 gears would be a nice addition.
With all due respect, why strip this rare vehicle of it’s uniqueness? I have only seen one of these in my life, a kid in school had an orange 4 speed. I always thought the name Twister sounded cooler! One of the prettiest cars in the parking lot. This restored original, will be more interesting at car shows than another cloned 340 Duster.
Agree, Cooter. I’ve never seen one in real life. If you want a 340 Duster, buy a 340 Duster and save this rare bird to carry on it’s life with the drive-train it left the factory with.
💯 fair enough Cooter. Originals are always cool. I just happen to love the 340 mill too much lol
Agree. This is so unique. Why so some have to trash unique cars just because they don’t have a big engine? It would ruin the value.
My 1st car was a ’71 Duster Twister. Same rear quarter graphic except the “6.”
Mine was the 318 auto bench with an arm rest. Same color, vinyl top, black out hood graphics.
Never heard of a slant six from the factory with a 4 bbl.
I agree with Cooter. Leave the Slant 6 in it. I dont remember seeing any of these growing up. I like it. Also. Would it have killed them to have put some interior shots in the ad? Maybe an underhood shot or two would have hurt either.
I have put a spoiler on the rear of every Slant Six-powered vehicle that I have ever owned…
The idea of hot rodding a slant 6 to 200 or so HP is one I’ve found intriguing. Keep the car original and have something truly different.
The car is priced for perfection. The seller clearly states it has rust “spots” that need attention and makes an unsubstantiated claim of 38,000 miles. The pictures are taken from a distance and lack details, he didn’t even bother to include any of rust prone areas, interior or the engine. The market is softening and it’s heading into winter, the days of posting an ad on Craigslist with an inflated price with bad pictures and minimal description and expecting it to sell are coming to an end. It’s fitting this car is red, since it a popular shade of lipstick.
Steve R
never heard of this model. pretty cool with buzzing half dozen in it. i would leave along. good mpgs
Interesting car. I remember seeing one as a kid, I don’t remember much about it except that it did not have an 8, so there was no point in looking further. I have never seen one of these cars with a factory rear wing, yet every car I see advertised has a wing these days. I anxiously await the day when that trend is over.
Hopping up a slant six can be done, but it must be done carefully as it is a 4-main bearing motor with a long crank. It looks like someone added dual exhaust as well as a 4bbl; it might have a similar performance to a 318, which was pretty good for these light weight cars.
Four pictures.
Four!
Everyone and their brother carries a device these days that can take picture after picture all day. Just weed out the ones you don’t like.
Four! That’s all?
IF this is a real Duster Twister, it could be a bargain. But I would need to see a build sheet or fender tag because there just too much that doesn’t add up. To me it looks like clone (of a clone if that makes any sense). The grill, wheels, scoops, wing, decal, exhaust are all not quite right and therefor suspect, especially since all of these can be bought out of a box.
Duster Twisters were really well put together, visually fully optioned versions of the 340, without the 340 engine. I’m just not seeing it on this one. Another knock will be all the light duty 6 cylinder running gear.
However even with all that said, it still might be a good starting point if the rust isn’t too bad. Putting a modern Hemi is a straight forward conversion and all of that would need to be upgraded anyways.
But 4 pictures and requires more due diligence.
Love the /6 for it’s reliability with just basic simple service that you can do yourself for little money. This car looks good but I would have to inspect it in person up close for rust. I lived on long Island and known about the winter’s salted ice/ snow roads. Also the cars location exposed closely to the salty sea air.
There’s nothing special or unique to preserve here. This car is absolutely not a Twister, nor does the ad make that claim. It’s a base Slant Six Duster with custom, poorly-done “Twisted 6” decals (very) approximately where the “Twister” decals would’ve been. A real Twister would have a 340 “sharktooth” grille and a blackout hood with body-color center strobe stripe. The hood scoops would be further apart, and the spoiler would be further forward on the decklid. This is just a mildly hot-rodded (or poorly cloned–your call), one-of-20-billion, six-banger Duster. Half the ask is a lot with that much plastic in the quarter panels. It’s literally missing body lines.