Although the manufacturing years could imply a lackluster performance, the short-lived Duster was offered between 1970 and 1976. However, this isn’t the case.
The Duster was well received, and the automaker produced over 217,000 vehicles just in the first year it was available. In the end, Plymouth produced more than 1.3 million Dusters throughout their brief six-year market existence.
The Duster had almost everything customers wanted, including decent engines, a reduced weight, and a very compelling starting price. The Duster could be had for just $2,172 if customers ordered the base model, while the more popular 340 was available for $2,547.
A 1972 Duster made its way to earlier this week, looking for a new home after spending decades on the side of the road. The car comes with a mysterious history, as seller cars_442 claims the car is a barn find.
In theory, it looks like this Duster was recovered from a barn but is now sitting in what looks to be a junkyard, surrounded by other classics, also abandoned for years. The Duster presumably fixes the original blue paint, though I wouldn’t be surprised if this is no longer the finish that came with the car when it rolled off the assembly lines.
It doesn’t take a genius to understand that the car arrives in terrible state. The absence of details prevents us from getting a better idea of the metal’s state, but it is safe to infer that the floorboards and the trunk pan have already been destroyed by rust. The body has some rust issues now and then but otherwise looks nice. Although it has sat for many years, it needs urgent repairs despite being far from becoming a rust bucket.
The interior looks exactly like you’d expect it to look on an abandoned car. The seats are wrecked, but everything in the cabin appears to still be there. The dash isn’t cut, which could be a sign that the Duster did not serve as a donor for other projects.
Without a physical inspection, the information contained in the engine bay is nearly impossible to decipher. Six-cylinder engines were the default choice when the Duster came off the assembly lines, and while I’m sure many people would walk away as a result of the careless engine selection, I’m convinced the mill no longer starts and operates. Therefore, if you already have the engine, a 340 would suit the project like a glove. You can even choose for a restomod and install a more potent V8.