383-Powered 1971 Plymouth Duster

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

In 1970, Plymouth designers were tasked with “muscling up” the staid Plymouth Valiant to compete with compact muscle cars like the Ford Maverick, AMC Hornet, and Chevrolet Nova. The resulting Plymouth Duster shared its chassis, floor pan, and front-end styling with the Valiant, but with completely new body panels aft of the cowl including a steeply raked windshield and two-door fastback roofline. The Duster was available with a choice of two slant-sixes with 198 and 225 cu-in displacements, and two V8s with 318 or 340 cu-in. Power ranged from 125 horsepower in the small slant-six to 275 horsepower in the high-performance Duster 340. The following year, the top-line Duster 340 received a new "sharktooth" grille, and a Duster Twister appearance package debuted, which added Duster 340 looks across the lineup – Rallye wheels, side stripes, the "sharktooth" grille, a flat black hood with scoops, and bucket seats. This 1971 Plymouth Duster was tastefully upgraded with a 383 cu-in “Six Pack” V8 engine and transformed to have a Duster Twister appearance.

Highlights 

• Powered by a 383 cu-in “Six Pack” V8 

• Three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission 

• Finished in violet over a black vinyl interior with bucket seats 

• Rear spoiler 

• “Duster” body-length side stripes 

• Flat black dual snorkel hood scoop with “383 Six Pack” badging 

• Dual color-keyed racing mirrors 

• 14 inch Rallye wheels 

• This 1971 Plymouth Duster is offered with the five-digit odometer currently displaying just over 10,900 miles at the time of listing; however, the true mileage is unknown 

Features 

• The fender tag decodes its original specifications as follows: 

  • E22 – 198 cu-in 1-Barrel 6-Cylinder 

  • D31 – Light Duty 904 Automatic Transmission TorqueFlite 

  • VL29 – Plymouth Valiant/Duster, Low, 2 Door Sports Hardtop 

  • B1B – 198 cu-in 125-hp 1-1-BBL 6-CYL, 1971, Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA 

  • 131385 – Sequence Number 

  • GB7 – Dark Blue Metallic 

  • L2B7 – Low, Vinyl Bench, Dark Blue 

  • GB7 – Upper Door Frame, Dark Blue Metallic 

  • 911 – Date Built, 9/11/1970 

  • 058283 – Order Number 

  • CB7 – Roof Type or Color, Dark Blue Metallic 

  • U – Built to Specifications for USA Order 

  • R11 – Music Master Radio AM 

  • EN2 – End of Codes Assembly Line 2  

• Chrome bumpers, front and rear 

• White-letter BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires 

• “Sharktooth” grille 

• Woodgrain interior trim 

• Sanyo cassette stereo 

• Heater 

• Two-speed windshield wipers 

• Three-spoke steering wheel 

• Swing-out rear quarter window 

• Ventless side glass 

• Dual exhaust outlets 

• Back-up lights 

Known Imperfections 

• Passenger’s-side door lock knob is missing 

• Scratch in striping around the rear trunk lock 

• Exhaust tips are discolored  

• Headlight control knob is missing 

• Finish above the driver’s-side door is noted to be imperfect 

Included 

• Spare wheel and tire 

• Jack 

Ownership History

This 1971 Plymouth Duster is said to have been built by an experienced Dodge mechanic for his son. The current owner purchased the car in 2021.