Some enthusiasts are more accommodating than others when the subject turns to modified classics. Total originality can be a crucial selection criterion, but many deem minor modifications acceptable. This 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 could be ideal for someone seeking a tidy and largely original turnkey Mopar candidate. Its presentation is respectable, and the minor mechanical upgrades should have unlocked a few additional ponies. The Duster is listed here on eBay in Springfield, Oregon. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $26,600.
Manufacturer color charts are designed to cater to many tastes, and the choices can range from subtle to bold and daring. The Tor Red paint gracing this Duster’s panels owes little to subtlety, making a bold and daring statement. The seller indicates that while some areas retain their factory paint, most of the exterior was refreshed before their time. It has a healthy shine, and the overall impression is positive for a buyer seeking a driver-grade classic. The steel is 100% original, and apart from a couple of small bumps and bruises, it is as straight as an arrow. The seller states there is a minor repair in the lower left rear quarter panel, but there is no rust to cause potential buyers undue stress. I can’t spot any glass issues, the decals and stripes look okay for their age, and the rear spoiler is claimed to be original. The chrome is in good order, and the Duster rolls on its original and impressive Rally wheels.
This Duster 340 is a numbers-matching classic. Therefore, the fact its engine bay houses a 340ci V8 shouldn’t shock many. The V8 sends its power to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and there is no power assistance for the steering and brakes. That V8 would have delivered 275hp, 340 ft/lbs of torque, and a 15.1-second ¼-mile ET when the Duster was shiny and new. However, it might be able to produce something slightly better for its new owner. The seller confirms the engine, transmission, and rear end have all been rebuilt. The V8 received a significant camshaft upgrade, headers, and a 3″ custom exhaust. Improved breathing is the best way to unleash additional ponies, which should be the case here. The seller says the engine sounds excellent, with a deep rumble. The only identified fault is a slight leak from the transmission pan that should be straightforward to address. Otherwise, the car runs and drives perfectly and should provide the next owner with years of classic motoring pleasure. They include removed original items like the exhaust manifolds, carburetor, AM radio, and the original Broadcast Sheet.
If the seller’s claims are accurate, this Duster’s interior could be the most impressive aspect of the car. It features Black vinyl trim, a console, and a Rally gauge cluster. There’s nothing out of the ordinary until we confront the seller’s contention that this interior is original and unrestored. If that is accurate, its condition is mighty impressive for a vehicle with over five decades under its belt. There are no signs of significant wear, damage, or evidence of abuse. The seatcovers are as tight as a drum, and the faux woodgrain has avoided the typical fading issues. There is no cracked or crumbling plastic or visible aftermarket additions beyond a retro-style radio.
This 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 isn’t perfect or a trailer queen. It seems to be precisely what the seller is pitching it as: a tidy and solid classic that presents well and features only minor modifications. The lack of rust and the ability to reverse any changes easily might convince purists to give it more than a passing glance. Would you return it to its factory specifications if it found its way into your garage? Or would enjoying the performance gains prove irresistible?
Great write up, Adam! This looks like the perfect base for someone who wants an early Duster. Combined with the modifications, a little TLC will have this jewel sparkling brighter! Looks llike there are a couple of Super Bee’s in the background; wonder if they’re available?? GLWTA!! :-)
I thought duster 340 had the scalloped grill in 70 ?
No that was a 71 Duster 340 feature. I owned a 71 Duster 340 that I raced in the 70s.
no, never in ’70
I’m sure most of the Mopar readers of this site knew this was a Graveyard Carz offering as soon as you saw Carver Electric lol. I always liked this body style and Mark Worman of course knows his stuff. Yes, love him or hate him but he knows his Mopars and yes I admit I do fast forward through some of his long winded bits..looks nice and I love the color of course GLWTA
Yeah Mark is the Mopar oracle! I’ve seen him take cars that had been wrapped around a light pole and bring them back from the dead and turn them into showroom condition jewels! But you’re 100% right about his long-winded breakdowns of factory colors or gear ratios or production numbers… But danged if he’s not among the best in the business! If he had his hands on this car, I’m quite sure everything he touched is bang on, as you well know, he’s a major stickler for the details! Beautiful example! I’d certainly drive it with pride, I know what a 340 is capable of, I had a buddy in highschool who had a 69 Dart GT with a 340 4-speed, that was straight rock and roll!
Rear gear ? 3.23 ? ⚙️
Couldn’t Worman throw it up on a lift and fix the leaking tranny pan for 30 large?
Yeah, a new pan gasket should run for less than $10.00, and ten minutes to drop and replace the transmission oil pan. Add another $10.00 or so for a new transmission fluid filter and some ATF, and replace the fluid and filter while you’re at it.
I read between the lines myself. Probably a transmission front seal, if it is pink fluid or rear main seal if it is an oil leak. Still not a big issue. If all else said is correct, at $26,000 is a fair deal.
Very nice Duster 340. It has some nice mods. With the headers and a 3.91 gear it would be a solid mid 13 second car. My brother and I both raced 340’s back in the 70s. He had a Dart Swinger 340 with headers, Hemi grind camshaft and 3.91 gears. It would run 13.50s with the mufflers still connected. He would drive to the track and throw some 7″ slicks on it. I raced both a 71 Duster 340 and Demon 340 in Super Stock. They ran 11.20s and 12.20s depending on my class 2HA and 3HA. Both national record holders. We blew away a lot of BB muscle cars on the street with my brother’s Dart. Mine were track only. This Duster is worth at least $35-40K if it checks out.
This car should run high to mid 13’s all day with headers. Low 14’s to high 13’s with factory exhaust.
These 340’s were high/mid 14 sec. 1/4mile cars new. 15.1 maybe a 318. My stock 120k mi. slush box 70′ Swinger ran 14.5’s consistently. My 68′ mildly breathed on 340/4spd. runs easy 14.0’s Despite my poor staging/reaction and wheel spin starts. Put in line lock hoping for mid 13’s next week. These cars were pretty quick for their time.
I’ll tell you what my mother had a duster 3:40 in 1975 3 speed and I tell you what I put it up against anything today and I bet you had to come out on top
A very nice original example. I’d be inclined to modify it slightly, but only use bolt-on parts, while retaining the original parts for a future owner, so they could return the car to bone-stock condition should a future owner so desire. Things like PS & PB, to make the car easier to drive on a regular basis, or EFI and electronic ignition, to improve drivability. The emissions regulations hadn’t started to bite yet in 1970, but low-lead gas became a rule in 1970, with unleaded gas just around the corner, so I’d make sure that the appropriate modifications to the cylinder head have been done to preserve the cylinder heads in the absence of leaded fuel. I believe that while low-lead fuel was made mandatory by the EPA for the 1970 model year, a codicil to that rule also required that cars be able to run on unleaded fuel without ill effects. At the time, only Amaco was regularly selling unleaded gasoline, but sales of unleaded fuel by the other oil companies began shortly afterward, and by about 1972, unleaded gas was available, but at a significant price premium over leaded fuel.
That sure looks like a Demon side stripe. I don’t recall it on a duster. Great presentation on this car.
Not a Demon stripe, there stripes were much wider. I still have my ‘70 (purchased in early ‘71) 340 E5 Red (Tor Red) 4 speed Duster. Other than being in stock condition with a white interior and fairly new E70 14 White Letter Polyglas tires it could be the subject cars brother. I’m driving it to a wake for a old buddy tonight.
Had a 70 Duster 340— 4 speed. Headers only. Best times I had was 14.7. Quarter mile.
Steve, I think you had driver issues.
I bought a 70 Duster 340 sight unseen. I had a friend that worked for the Chrysler/Plymouth dealer near Whiting Field in Florida while I was going thru flight training. Most of the flight training students at Pensacola went to the Pensacola Buggy Works chevy dealer and bought a ‘Vette…making them the highest volume Corvette dealer in the world. My buddy had a Duster with 6 cyl and bench seat on the showroom floor. i sat in it and my head hit the ceiling (6’6″). He said “bucket seats sit lower than the bench”, and I told him to order a 340 with buckets, and if my head hit the ceiling he could keep it. I fit! Blue 340/4spd, buckets, console, AC. PS.PB, black interior/3.91 posi. Asked him what I should do to break it in…he said “Nothing, drive it like you’re gonna drive it”. There was a school across the street from the dealership, and I lit the tires up coming out onto the highway. School crossing guard jumped out, stopped me, wrote a ticket for reckless driving. Had 1.3 miles on it. I really miss that car~
Not sure why these non-barn find dealer cars always show up here – like they really need the money. Oh….maybe the taxes are due ?
Not a Duster fan pardon, but this car does present well. If mine, perhaps a few mods (not back to original), then slowly cruise it out of my small town warming up, to drive the snot out of it on the back roads. Then all nice and mellow back in town going home, like today. Women working town hall love my muscle car, one a member of the car club with hubby. Often stop to laugh about breaking the law without being caught/no problems, with a “you’ll never catch me in town” claim. Recently the city chip sealed, graveled, asphalted, and graveled my neighborhood, so I drive across grass thru 2 adjacent city parks, to avoid all the tar gravel new tires love to keep and sling, not good clean vehicle. Today county sheriff sitting in a paved parking lot, end of the 2nd park. Made sure to talk to him, and let him know what I was doing. He kinda laughed at me, said all good, and “nice car”. “Thank you brother” my response, and quickly yet gently drove away. Will be sure to let the ladies at City Hall know lol.
Drive the snot out of this Duster for fun, but only the back roads.
The Duster was one of the last affordable muscle cars left. They are now getting ridiculous in price. I’ve always wondered why they didn’t offer the 440 as an option. It easily fits.
I had a 440 with a lightly warmed over shortblock in my 71Demon back in the 80s. Direct Connection K member and engine mounts with 69Dart cast exhaust manifolds. It didn’t handle that well and wasn’t any quicker than my 340 so I put it back to stock. For a pure drag car with headers it would be worth it. For street use I’d stick with the 340 slightly warmed up.
Yes, the 340 set up was hard to beat. I have beaten many big boys with mine, including Corvettes and 5.0 stangs.
Ended at $30,500, Reserve Not Met.
Sold privately for $32,500.00. Both seller and buyer should be happy on this one. Muscle car Dusters that are not thrashed and stock presenting with mostly original equipment are getting hard to find and are certainly at the low end of the Mopar price spectrum.