‘71 Duster

[85RZwade]

As requested:







It was my wife's grandfather's car. 340, 727 AT, original except for the Edelbrock carb; I couldn't get the thermoquad to stop leaking internally.

[Evans Ward]

I can't see the pic on my iPad! Love me some Mopars- both old and new muscle!

[m in sc]

YUP. NOTHING LINKED

[85RZwade]

 :angry: I''m blaming Apple! I'll try again

[SoCal250]

Sweet!

[Evans Ward]

That's a nice original one. Those cars had really good power to weight ratio so they punched above their level and were stout performers. I had a friend who had a new 76 Duster w/360 that I felt would easily outrun my 77 Trans Am 400. I never challenged him.

What's the horn story?

[747drvr]

that was then, now you have honda civics that would torch the heartiest of dusters now 

[hayduke]

Sweet! I love originality and the simplicity... no power brakes, maybe no power steering... tell me it has disc brakes in front at least?! I dig the air blast horn too.

[Evans Ward]

that was then, now you have honda civics that would torch the heartiest of dusters now 

OK, I'll play that game.  Let's put that modern Civic up against one of Dodge's 6.4 supercharged engines in either Challenger or Charger models. Boy Racer will go down in flames.... 

[85RZwade]

Grandpa most likely added the horn and the recovery tank; tank works, horn makes an awful sound. 8-inch drums up front, so you plan your braking way ahead of time whenever possible! My dad has a '76 (?) Duster with a mildly tuned 360 and he thinks this car is quicker. It's technically my mother-in-law's car, but I think of myself as the curator and get to drive it when I want, so...winning!

[747drvr]

that was then, now you have honda civics that would torch the heartiest of dusters now 

OK, I'll play that game.  Let's put that modern Civic up against one of Dodge's 6.4 supercharged engines in either Challenger or Charger models. Boy Racer will go down in flames.... 

i absolutely agree with you. Point i am trying to make is, muscle cars we thought were the baddest thing on 4 wheels are easily outclassed by almost any modern sedan. You can go to a dodge dealer and drive off in a car that would be quicker than highly modified 60 and 70s race prepped cars. I still love the old car style though.

[Evans Ward]

that was then, now you have honda civics that would torch the heartiest of dusters now 

OK, I'll play that game.  Let's put that modern Civic up against one of Dodge's 6.4 supercharged engines in either Challenger or Charger models. Boy Racer will go down in flames.... 

i absolutely agree with you. Point i am trying to make is, muscle cars we thought were the baddest thing on 4 wheels are easily outclassed by almost any modern sedan. You can go to a dodge dealer and drive off in a car that would be quicker than highly modified 60 and 70s race prepped cars. I still love the old car style though.

So true as we have both lived through each era although I was too young to drive by about 5 yrs of the first golden era. Never would have guessed we would see what we have today but many say the days of ICE vehicles are numbered. NO self driving cars for me!

[1976RD400C]

My dad bought a new one back in '71 but it had a slant 6  . I worked part time at a speed shop when I was in high school (early '70s) and the cars that would come in were amazing, Hemis, 440 dual quads and 6 packs, the Chevy small and big blocks built to the hilt, the hot Mustang V-8s.

[m in sc]

very very nice. I dig it. i'd have to ditch the horn (save it in a box though). 

I'm sure its quicker... those heads and cams int he 340 were pretty juicy. Buddy of mine has a 74 dart with a built 360 right now. its a fun drive. But i can smoke it in my v6 ford edge. But.. thats not really the point now is it? 

[busa1300]

An excellent survivor 

So many built, and so few left today....and even less as original as that.
I love patina, it adds just a bit of character and has stories to tell


All I ever had were Mopars....my first was a 70 GTX at the age of 14
Paid $125 out of a salvage yard with a rod knocking....I miss those days