Solid Driver: 1972 Plymouth Duster 340

Judging a book by its cover can be a mistake. It may mean missing out on a promising project candidate because it doesn’t make a positive first impression. This 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 looks rough, with dings, dents, and visible rust. However, it is a rock-solid classic with an upgraded V8 delivering improved performance. It represents an opportunity to indulge in immediate driving pleasure, allowing the new owner to return it to its former glory at their leisure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Duster listed here on eBay in Canton, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $10,500, but there is a BIN option of $18,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.

Introduced in 1969, the Duster represented Plymouth’s fairly successful attempt to add a sporting variant to its Valiant range. Our featured car rolled off the line in 1972, ordered by its first owner in Basin Street Blue with contrasting White stripes. Cosmetically, this classic has quite a few issues. There is paint deterioration, a selection of dings and dents, and visible rust in some lower exterior locations. However, diving beneath this classic reveals remarkably clean floors, while the rear rails show only mild surface corrosion. The seller mentions patchable holes in the trunk pan, but the overall impression is that this Duster is structurally sound. The back bumper is bent, although the front bumper, exterior trim, and the glass all look pretty good.

Trimmed in White vinyl, this Duster’s interior would have looked stunning in its prime. The interior shots lack detail, but the impression remains fairly positive. The back seat has a split that is probably beyond repair, but the remaining upholstered surfaces look quite promising. Someone has cut the rear parcel tray to accommodate speakers, but with the speakers now gone, there are a couple of gaping holes that require attention. What can be seen of the dash and pad looks promising, while the bucket seats and console give the interior a fairly luxurious feel.

As the model designation suggests, lifting this Duster’s hood reveals a 340ci V8. The motor is bolted to a three-speed A-727 TorqueFlite transmission, feeding power to an 8¾” Sure Grip rear end. The seller confirms that the car isn’t numbers-matching. However, the motor features a few upgrades that should allow it to produce more than the 240hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque quoted by the factory. Some of the internal changes are unknown, but the car appears to feature a solid lifter camshaft, a larger carburetor, and headers feeding a dual exhaust. The transmission has a kit for more aggressive shifting, and the seller confirms it is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. The buyer will probably extend the exhaust beyond the mufflers situated below the seats, but what I find interesting is the engine bay presentation. The motor and paint look fairly fresh, suggesting that someone commenced a restoration before dropping in this V8.

This 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 offers its next owner a world of possibilities. The listing suggests they won’t have to handle any mechanical tasks because it is a turnkey proposition. There is rust that will eventually require attention, although with the underside so solid and the car structurally sound, they can take their time tackling those issues. The listing statistics indicate that people like what they see. However, with the auction heading into its final hours, interested parties might have to make a quick decision if they plan to throw their hat in the ring. Are you tempted?