The Plymouth Duster was one of Chrysler’s better hits for the 1970s. Once it was known that the Barracuda nameplate was moving to the E-body platform, Chrysler realized that there wasn’t a sporty body in the A-body lineup anymore. In a hurry to get a new car going on the absolute cheap, Chrysler allocated $15 million for a new body design, one that had to most of a Plymouth Valiant, and it had to be ready to sell by 1970. To say they knocked the design out of the park is an understatement: the car went from sketch to product in just over six weeks and went on to be one of Chrysler’s best sellers. You know some of the models, but do you know how many models of Duster were made? Here’s how it breaks down:
1. Duster: This is the basic car, came with a Slant Six or an automatic. Could actually still be optioned with a 3-on-the-tree with the six for the first couple of years.
2. Duster 340: The under-the-radar screamer, the 340 never did attract the attention of the insurance agents. Rated officially at 275 hp, the truth was that the motors were typically in the 320-ish hp range. It could go hunting lesser small blocks.
3. Duster Twister: All the visual appeal of the Duster 340 with none of the “go”, this was an appearance package on the base Duster. The “twister” design was used after Warner Bros. shot down the idea of lending Plymouth the Tasmanian Devil cartoon character.
4. Gold Duster: After 100,000 Dusters had left the line, Plymouth introduced the Gold Duster package, a more upscale trim level.
5. Space Duster: The first Duster to have the folding rear seats and the fully carpeted trunk area
6. “Special Coupe”: The personal luxury Duster, with pleated leather interior and vinyl roof.
7. Duster 360: The replacement for the Duster 340, received the same suspension upgrades.
8. Duster Custom: Chrome trim on the rocker panels and the full width of the tail pan.
9. Feather Duster: Aluminium inner hood, trunk bracing, bumper brackets, and intake manifold for 180 lbs. weight reduction
10. Silver Duster: a silver/red paint and trim level
11. Volaré Duster: From 1976-1980, the Volaré could be ordered with the RPO A42 “Duster” package, which included stripes, Rally wheels and quarter window louvers.
12. Turismo Duster: Between 1985-87, the Plymouth Turismo had a “Duster” option. It was essentially everything a Shelby Charger had, except the turbocharged motor.
13. The Duster appeared for the last time, on the performance version of the Plymouth Sundance 3-door, between 1992-1994.
Now, the next couple are a bit of a reach, but bear with me, because they are worth mentioning:
1971-72 Dodge Demon and 1973-76 Dart Sport
The Demon was Dodge’s knee-jerk reaction to the success of the 1970 Duster. Basically, there was a trade: Dodge gave Plymouth the Swinger, Plymouth gave Dodge the Duster. According to folklore, the name “Demon” was meant to be a clever marketing technique: “Come in for a Demon-stration.” Riiight, like anybody bought that line of BS. Almost immediately religious groups were demanding that Dodge change the name, which finally happened for the 1973 model year. The Dart Sport had about every option the Duster could get, with one notable exception: the Hang 10 Dart of 1976 had a unique color white/red color scheme.
And last but certainly not least, Plymouth got to re-badge the Dodge Ramcharger from 1974-1981. Capitalizing on the success of the Duster name, the Trailduster was a carbon-copy of the Ramcharger.
You guys forgot about the very rare Hang Ten Duster. I’ve only seen 1 in person it was white with the decals and special interior.
http://barnfinder.blogspot.com/2011/02/surfs-up-in-south-dakota-1975-plymouth.html
Huh…I’ve always seen that on Darts, I wasn’t aware that the Duster had received the Hang 10 option as well. None of my research turned that up, either. Thanks for sharing!
Don’t forget the Al Bundy Edition, which was always referred to as a Dodge.
Great article, I’ve also have only seen the Hang-10 edition on Dart Sports.
so where did the plymouth scamp fit in ? canadian only ? I had one in 73
The Scamp was a Valiant front clip on the Dart’s stretched wheelbase and rear section.
Great info. Used to be a white Demon 340 that was uber-clean and was seen regularly around my area. Some years ago he was at Somernites and someone slammed into it. He reportedly had the car since he was in high school and the damage was so bad there would be no possibility of repair. There was a feather-duster in my hometown. Back then I had no idea what it was. Figured it was just a decal-package like most cars were in those days.
I’ve always like the Demons better and own one now. But I had a 70 Duster back in the early 80’s that went into the low 9s. I’ve since upped my ETs to the low 11s. While low 9s are a kick in the rump the 11s are easier for an old man like me to handle. 🙂
BTW. I’ve seen a few 340 Dusters kick some big block butt.
When I first got out of high school a local junkyard that I bought a lot of Mustang parts from had a Hang – Ten in it. I told a few of the local Mopar guys but they just looked at me with a blank stare . Nobody saved it got it crushed was a real clean car for a Ohio car of that age. Upset me and I’m a Ford guy.
Very interesting article , Dusters are cool…from a Ford guy.
Thanks for the Duster love, my yellow 70 with a 383 is sitting in the garage and was in your Southwest Mopar mini-nats pics……….
what about the Trail Duster, the off-roader?
Never heard of a hang 10 duster, but there was a similiar model that was The Spirit of ’76 Duster
You forgot about the Dart Lite & you were correct, Hang 10 was only a Dart option.