My wife's 70 duster

[johnnycharger]

Hi guys
I  am going to look at a duster for sale tomorrow.  I am thinking about it as a car for my wife to play with. It has a 318 and is in ok "driver" condition. Cheap steel chrome wheels, possibly repainted in the 90s, and front bench replaced with buckets. That is all I know so far. What is the reasonable price range for something like that?

[VegasCharger]

2K-4K

[johnnycharger]

2K-4K

Thanks. That confirms what I have been seeing looking online. 

[johnnycharger]

Turns out it is a 70 duster. I bought it. Now I have a lot to learn because I don't know anything about hem really. It is for my wife. It is her first "muscle" car.

[johnnycharger]

[crj1968]

Very cool...I've owned many A bodies.  Not much to learn really, same as any other mopar.
73 up a body discs will fit with new upper control arms, just like on a B body.

It's got some big front tires on it eh?

Looks like a nice car just needs some ramcharger scoops !

[johnnycharger]

Yup! All the tires are too big. The rears are rubbing. I need to sort that. I already took the silly Valiant badges off the side. Next I need to figure out what size engine it is. The PO stated 318 but all of the old paperwork states 340... then on to cleaning and tuning up.....

[Drache]

Nice! $10,000 car here in Canada 

[skip68]

Nice clean looking ca .   

[johnnycharger]

Thanks guys!
I confirmed it is a 318. Just decoded the fender tag and it was originally a slant 6 white exterior and blue interior.  Since the original engine is gone I guess we can go with what ever color combo she wants....
It also said it had black "transverse " stripes. Don't know which those are yet....

[Drache]

It also said it had black "transverse " stripes. Don't know which those are yet....

Your standard Duster stripe

[johnnycharger]

It also said it had black "transverse " stripes. Don't know which those are yet....

Your standard Duster stripe

Awesome!  Thanks!

[jaak]

Nice score! I am jealous, have been wanting a Duster for a long time. That's what I want next!

[johnnycharger]

Thanks! We are having fun with it and are very happy with the price we paid.

[charge69]

Looks to be in great shape !  A-bodies are very cool and you must have got a great deal on it!  Congrats and have fun with it!

[johnnycharger]

Thanks. It is in decent shape and has been a lot of fun so far. 

[Alaskan_TA]

the silly Valiant

If you did not know, they actually were 1970 Valiant Dusters. 

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/vintageAdvertising/_1970PlymouthMakesIt-01.shtml?load_img=14

[johnnycharger]

the silly Valiant

If you did not know, they actually were 1970 Valiant Dusters. 

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/vintageAdvertising/_1970PlymouthMakesIt-01.shtml?load_img=14

Thanks for the link! I did not know that at first but figured it out a couple of days ago with some of my reading.  Also (as I am sure you know already) that is why there is a "V" in the vin number. Either way I didn't think those badges looked good on there at all.

[VegasCharger]

Great score 

I've owned 14 A bodies back in the day from 1982 thru 1996. Four of them were parts cars only and the others most of them ended up being parts cars lol. 7 Dusters, 4 Darts and 3 Scamps. There was a stretch where I had bought 7 cars in a row that were all A Bodies.

Hadn't had one since 1996.

Maybe one day I'll get one, maybe a 1973 Duster.

[redgum78]

Cool car, cool wife! 

[johnnycharger]

Great score  

I've owned 14 A bodies back in the day from 1982 thru 1996. Four of them were parts cars only and the others most of them ended up being parts cars lol. 7 Dusters, 4 Darts and 3 Scamps. There was a stretch where I had bought 7 cars in a row that were all A Bodies.

Hadn't had one since 1996.

Maybe one day I'll get one, maybe a 1973 Duster.

Dang! That's a lot of mopars!!!! If you you were to get one why would you pick a 73 over the others?

[johnnycharger]

Here is a video from day three. After we de-greased the engine but before we did the tune up. I was very happy when she said she wanted to do the tune up herself. I taught her how to change the plugs, cap and rotor, air and fuel filter.  Then I sat back with a beer and watched her do it.

https://youtu.be/2jE1jHJduO0

[redgum78]

Dang those rear wheels are big in there!

Sounds nice!

[johnnycharger]

Dang those rear wheels are big in there!

Sounds nice!

Thanks!
The rear tires are a little too big. The rub on occasion. 

[crj1968]

It has transverse stripe code?

Those were only on 340 cars in 1970 and different ones like shown above on Duster 340/Twisters (slant or 318) in 1971 / 72

this would be the stripes on a 70 Duster...but not on a slant 6 or 318 car.  



Very strange.  

And yeah, the first duster were Valiants. But those big hideous emblems would not be the ones on the fender originaly.  A much smaller rectangle "valiant" tag was on them.

[Drache]

Those were only on 340 cars in 1970 and different ones like shown above on Duster 340/Twisters (slant or 318) in 1971 / 72

this would be the stripes on a 70 Duster...but not on a slant 6 or 318 car.  

The OP does state that the paperwork for the car shows the car was a 340 car originally.

[crj1968]

Yeah but.....

I confirmed it is a 318. Just decoded the fender tag and it was originally a slant 6 white exterior and blue interior. 
It also said it had black "transverse " stripes.

Slant six car with transverse stripe call out on fender tag ?  Strange, I've owned over a dozen Dusters and have never seen a slant car with factory stripes.   

Anyway...who knows, stranger things have happened.

[Aussiemadonmopars]

If your looking for some good info, try forabodiesonly.com. Its a great site for the A body stuff.   

[Drache]

Yeah but.....

I confirmed it is a 318. Just decoded the fender tag and it was originally a slant 6 white exterior and blue interior.  
It also said it had black "transverse " stripes.

Slant six car with transverse stripe call out on fender tag ?  Strange, I've owned over a dozen Dusters and have never seen a slant car with factory stripes.    

Anyway...who knows, stranger things have happened.

Missed that part on being 6 cylinder.

But according to this Plymouth dealership book, any Duster was available to get the stripe for "Extra Cost"  



And even shows a normal duster with the stripe:

[johnnycharger]

Hi guys
I appreciate all of this good information.  From what I have learned about it it looks like the fender tag says it was originally a slant six. One of the previous owners put in a 340 and then the owner before me put I a 318 and 904.

[crj1968]

Drache, but that's a 73 not a 70.    

73 and up Gold Dusters, feather dusters and all those goofy ones had stripes. But in 70 I think only 340.... I dunno

[Alaskan_TA]

1970 /6 Duster with side & rear deck panel stripes.

[johnnycharger]

1970 /6 Duster with side & rear deck panel stripes.

Is there any risks with posting a fender tag online? I have a picture of mine...

[Alaskan_TA]

I cropped my photo because I do not own the car, but any risk is minimal, people post their tags all the time.

[crj1968]

1970 /6 Duster with side & rear deck panel stripes.

Well there ya have it !   

Dont think I've ever seen a non 340 70 with stripes....or I'm losing my mind.

[johnnycharger]

[Alaskan_TA]

Scheduled for a late build, what month does the Mylar door sticker show?

[johnnycharger]

Don't know. I can look into it in a few days.  I am currently  camping with the family and sneaking on the forum when the wife isn't looking. ..

[johnnycharger]

Scheduled for a late build, what month does the Mylar door sticker show?

The door sticker says 7-70.

[johnnycharger]

Any idea what this is?

[crj1968]

I believe it's an inspection tag.

[Alaskan_TA]

Inspected by I & 15 - whoever they may be.

[johnnycharger]

Thanks guys! Always great info. I have a few more questions. ... at this point is it proper etiquette to rename the thread?

[Alaskan_TA]

Change the 73 to 70 at least. 

[johnnycharger]

https://youtu.be/IjhTjvKUF9Q
Quick video I made about some of my Carter carb questions.

[johnnycharger]

Do you guys know what emblems should be on the fenders originally? We are going to the swap meet Saturday. ...

[crj1968]

two emblems on each fender

these.

and this x2 of course

[crj1968]

and placed like so




The "Duster"  one in 1970 may have been a sticker... I know it was a sticker for 340 cars.   

Yes according to year one info the "duster" was a decal not an emblem.   

[johnnycharger]

and placed like so




The "Duster"  one in 1970 may have been a sticker... I know it was a sticker for 340 cars.   

Awesome!  Great information.  Thank you! 

What is the emblem above your side marker?


Yes according to year one info the "duster" was a decal not an emblem.   

[crj1968]

Thats not my car just a picture I found.

that is this emblem and was on 318 cars

[johnnycharger]

Oh ok. Cool. Thanks for the help!

[Kern Dog]

Do you guys know what emblems should be on the fenders originally? We are going to the swap meet Saturday. ...

What swap meet?

[johnnycharger]

Goodguys in Pleasanton. Mostly Ford and Chevy stuff but I have gotten lucky a time or two.

[Kern Dog]

Oh thanks... I didn't know about that one. Good luck.

[johnnycharger]

Thanks. If you are planning to go you can order advanced tickets online to save $1.50. Almost not worth it but if you use "speedway16" promo code you can save an additional $3.00

[Kern Dog]

If I'd known sooner I could have planned for it.
I have a few weeks off from work so I took on  the monumental task of repairing the roof on my house.   

[johnnycharger]

Too bad it would have been great to meet up. Sucks to be on the roof but at least it isn't too hot right now.

[johnnycharger]

Wife was looking good today so I thought I would take a few pictures of her with her Duster.

[Kern Dog]

At the risk of making you mad...
Her curly hair is quite nice looking. The car is cool and all but I dig the hair.   

[johnnycharger]

No worries! She gets compliments on her hair every day.  She is Portuguese and it is naturally curly like that.

[Bronzedodge]

I just read through your thread.  Really cool find.  Do you know if your Duster was changed over to 4 1/2" bolt pattern?  All the 70 to 72 A bodies were 4' bolt circle.  In 73 the disc brake cars got the 4 1/2" pattern like our Chargers.   Your wheels would be semi-rare if they are the small 4' pattern, hard to find aftermarket wheels with that now.

[johnnycharger]

I just read through your thread.  Really cool find.  Do you know if your Duster was changed over to 4 1/2" bolt pattern?  All the 70 to 72 A bodies were 4' bolt circle.  In 73 the disc brake cars got the 4 1/2" pattern like our Chargers.   Your wheels would be semi-rare if they are the small 4' pattern, hard to find aftermarket wheels with that now.

Thanks! Interesting info I didn't know.
I just checked and they are the 4.5s.

[draftingmonkey]

Couldn't see the whole sequence to the right, but here is what I got. Looks as if the car was originally Alpine White with a Dark Blue interior (the white looks like it peaking through at a chip above right from the fender tag).

[draftingmonkey]

oops

[johnnycharger]

Great stuff! Thanks!

[Bronzedodge]

I'll bet the R1 is R11 = radio, music master AM 2 1/2 watt.

[Kern Dog]

I think so too. I have had several 70-74 Darts, Valiants and Dusters with AM radios. That code seems familiar.
I friggin LOVE the A body cars! It might be the cheap/frugal aspect of them. Just like some guys are sweet on the old VW Beetles for them being simple and reliable transportation, I dig that too. My first car was a 69 Dart 318. It was not reliable though. It had some electrical problems that left me stranded several times. The second car was a 76 Dart Sport with about every option available. That was a nice, reliable car. Sunroof too. I had sex once with the girl poking through that sunroof. Maybe it wasn't just the "cheap" aspect of these cars that I fondly remember...
To date, I have owned 28 A body cars since 1982. Most have been Darts and Dusters. I currently have a 67 Dart GT, a 71 Duster that will eventually be a 340 clone, a 65 Dart, a 73 Dart Sport and a 65 Valiant Convertible.
I guess to get anywhere with these cars I need to spend less time on the computer...