{"id":82867,"date":"2024-11-14T10:16:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dodgegarage.com\/news-api\/?p=82867"},"modified":"2024-11-08T14:13:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T19:13:19","slug":"survivor-duster-340","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/heritage\/2024\/11\/survivor-duster-340.html","title":{"rendered":"Survivor Duster 340"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

– Original paint FE5 Rallye Red 1972 340 Duster w\/V21 performance hood paint<\/strong>
– D21 4-speed transmission with short-stroke Hurst shifter<\/strong>
– S84 Tuff steering wheel, V6X Black tape stripes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This FE5 (Rallye Red) Duster 340 is a true \u201csurvivor\u201d Mopar\u00ae<\/sub> muscle car that wasn\u2019t modified for racing and all the years remained in near mint condition, with original paint! It was luckily found on eBay and purchased from the original owner. The vehicle has to be considered perhaps the most truly original (unrestored) 1972 Duster 340 in the world, and thankfully it was never modified from factory condition.<\/p>\n\n\n

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DUSTER 340 TOP MODEL<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe new Valiant Duster and Duster 340 are significant additions to the Plymouth line in their respective market areas,\u201d stated Glenn E. White, Chrysler-Plymouth General Manager, on August 31, 1969, when information on the all-new 2-door coupe creation was released to the media. Based on the existing A-body platform (Dart and Valiant, Barracuda), the freshly designed Duster body shell featured a new roofline with sports coupe styling theme, vent-less front door glass, flip-open rear quarter window glass and chrome capped thin section \u201cB\u201d pillar. Dusters rode on the same as 108-inch wheelbase as the 1969 model year A-body cars; however’ because of the new semi-fastback sheet metal, this car had a fresh look and overall unique flavor about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The base Duster received the Slant Six economy six-cylinder as standard engine, plus an optional 318-cid V8 was offered. This new small Plymouth featured a cartoon-type swirling tornado logo that went with the Duster name. Performance enthusiasts were not ignored when this car was debuted, as a special \u201cDuster 340\u201d was part of the product lineup, a \u201cmini-muscle car\u201d of sorts that sported a potent 275hp 340-cid V8 as the name suggests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how the Chrysler-Plymouth advertising described it: \u201cFrom the System that gave you America\u2019s first low-priced Supercar\u2014America\u2019s first super-low-price Supercar. Duster 340. For a start, we needed a body shell that was strong, simple and inexpensive to produce,\u201d stated the 1970 \u201cPlymouth Makes It\u201d dealer brochure about the new model. \u201cThat\u2019s a big savings to start. Our logical choice was the shell of the new Valiant Duster. Because in addition to being a strikingly good-looking shell, it had all the necessary qualities. For an engine, we dropped in the obvious: our light, high-winding 340 cubic-incher.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

340 engines were small but potent powerplants and came with 10.5:1 compression, forged crankshafts, double roller timing chain, an oil pan windage tray, high-flow cylinder heads with high load valve springs, dual-point distributor, double-level intake manifold with Carter four-barrel carburetor. Peak power came in at 5,000 rpm. This was the high-performance version of the \u201cLA\u201d Mopar small block engine and much more than just a 318-cid V8 with an over bore (the 318 has a 3.91-inch bore, the 340 has a 4.04-inch bore, both engines use a 3.31-inch stroke). A special engine for the high-performance crowd!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Duster 340 was released, there were side stripes, a black-out grille, rear tape treatment, E-70 x 14 fiberglass-belted tires, Rallye wheels (5.5 inches wide), front stabilizer bar (0.87-inch diameter), heavy-duty shocks front and rear, high-rate 0.87-inch diameter torsion bars, heavy-duty 6-leaf rear leaf springs and came with standard front manual disc brakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standard transmission was a 3-speed manual transmission with floor shift, automatic transmission and 4-speed manual transmission optional. A special instrument panel (borrowed from a previous model year Barracuda) also came as standard equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a base price of $2,547.00, the Duster 340 was the bargain priced high-performance Mopar vehicle for Plymouth buyers on a budget! Theses cars were screamers for the money, plus had a ton of potential when modified for increased power. When Car Life Magazine<\/em> tested a 1970 Duster 340, they found the car would run 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and reach the end of the quarter-mile in 14.72 seconds, at 94.24 mph. Sales totals were listed at 21,799, and the 340-equipped Dusters caught many full-fledged muscle cars off guard in street races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For 1971, the Duster 340 received a much more attractive vertically segmented grille (different from the standard Duster’s grille, commonly known as the “sharktooth” grille) and bold \u201c340\u201d markings on the rearmost location of the quarter panels, along with new side stripe treatment. And manual disc brakes and rallye wheels were extra-cost optional items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optional for ’71 was a large \u201c340 Wedge\u201d logo placed at an angle on the driver\u2019s side of the hood when ordered with the blacked-out performance hood paint treatment. This was known as the V24 option and it cost $20.55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chrysler engineers changed the carburetors on the 1971 340-cid mills in the way of replacing the Carter AVS four-barrel carburetor with the newly released \u201cThermo-Quad\u201d four-barrel, also produced by Carter, but with a different spread bore Venturi design, plus the use of new technology in material (plastic center section). Power was still listed at 275 hp @ 5,000 rpm, with a torque rating of 340 lbs.-ft. @ 3,200 rpm.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Super Stock & Drag Illustrated<\/em> drag tested a 1971 Duster 340 in their February 1971 issue, and with 3.91 rear gearing and automatic transmission, the car had impressive performance. Using a variety of starting line techniques (and getting best results when leaving the line at about 1,800 rpm and feathering the throttle), the car ran consistent 14.20s in the quarter-mile. Rival magazine Speed and Supercar<\/em> also tested the same car, and somehow was able to coax out an even better 13.94 elapsed time, at 104.89 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more strict emissions laws for 1972 forced the Chrysler engineers to cutback on performance and the 340-cid engine suffered as a result. The compression ratio was dropped a full two points (from 10.5:1 down to 8.5:1) and the formerly unique 340 cylinder heads were replaced with more utilitarian 318 pieces; however, in the process, the ignition system was upgraded to electronic. The Thermo-Quad carburetor was retained but greatly leaned out in the jetting calibration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car & Driver<\/em> magazine tested a 1972 Duster 340 (with automatic transmission) in their September 1972 issue and the drag strip times were not very impressive: 15.6 seconds at 86 mph. Part of the reason for this dismal performance (besides the engine being seriously detuned from the factory) was the use of a set of 3.23:1 rear gears and air conditioning. In all fairness, however, a better test car (and a better driver) would surely delivered a quicker time. In fact, magazines like Super Stock & Drag Illustrated<\/em> and Speed and Supercar<\/em> usually had test drivers that knew how to more aggressively drive cars on the drag strip (and getting better times) than the more conservative types at publications such as Car & Driver<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The featured 1972 Duster 340 is a \u201csurvivor\u201d muscle car that has 64,000 miles on it and is still original condition (new tires and battery of course) looking inside and out as just driven off the showroom floor all those years ago! Among the options on the car are the 4-speed transmission, vinyl top, black-out hood paint, rallye wheels, E70-14 Goodyear Polyglas tires, bumper guards, posi-traction, remote driver\u2019s side mirror, AM radio, power (drum) brakes and bucket seats. The Rallye Red paint has held up extremely well and is void of any touch-up work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUSTER STYLING<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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The brilliance of the Duster styling was a completely fresh look (from the cowl back) all the while using the existing A-body underpinnings. The design of the body didn\u2019t scream \u201cecono-box\u201d and even a bare-bones six-cylinder car could look rather stylish with the upgraded factory wheels or a set of \u201cmag\u201d wheels of the era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPECIAL GRILLE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201c340 Duster\u201d grilles were much more attractive than the standard Duster grille (which were regular Valiant items) and also were fitted on Duster \u201cTwister\u201d models in 1971 and \u201972. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The \u201cV21 Performance Hood Paint\u201d option, for the low cost of $18.35, provided a unique appearance for Duster buyers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Side stripes with \u201c340\u201d markings on the rear of the quarter-panels announce to everyone the performance aspect of the car, and it greatly liven-ups the sides of the standard Duster body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTERIOR<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Vinyl bucket seats, \u201cTuff\u201d steering wheel were among options on this car, along with the \u201cD21\u201d 4-speed transmission (Hurst Shifter equipped).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPTIONAL WHEELS \/ PERFORMANCE TIRES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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$55.90 got you a set of W21 Rallye Wheels (complete with center cone and beauty ring) while the Polyglas E70-14 rubber was a $39.50 addition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

340 ENGINE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Duster 340 for 1972: the printed information announced the new electronic ignition system and the new, lower compression ratio of the 340-cid V8 engine: 8.5:1. \u201cBy the time the \u201972 340 was made available to the public the good valve train, heads and lower end were no longer being used. Governmental controls forced the use of consumerish 318 parts to cut down on emissions and the 340 became just another grocery getter. Another castrated smogger lives in place of a good guy engine,\u201d was what writer Marty Schorr had to say in the August 1973 edition of Speed and Supercar Magazine<\/em>. The article focused on \u201cSmog tricks for the 340 Mopar\u201d dealing with the leaned out jetting and retarded timing, which were easy fixes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COMBUSTION CHAMBER CUT-A-WAY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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The 340 cylinder heads feature larger intake and exhaust passages for improved breathing. Valves were tilted at an 18-degree angle and the combustion chamber is of the \u201copen\u201d design, which is where the roof of the chamber is laid in a manner where it is opposite of the valves, great for performance applications. 1970 and \u201971 340s have 2.02-inch diameter intake valves with 1.60-inch diameter exhaust valves, while 340 engines built in 1972 had slightly smaller 1.88-inch intakes (and retained the same 1.60-inch exhaust valves). The particular style of \u201copen\u201d combustion chambers on these engines also featured a recessed \u201cquench\u201d area, which provides a full circle opening.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Carter \u201cThermo-Quad\u201d came out in 1969 as an aftermarket \u201cCompetition Series\u201d carburetor and came in two different flow ratings (cubic feet per second), an 850 cfm model and a 1,000 cfm model. Design characteristics of these units revolved around a \u201cspread-bore\u201d design (1.38-inch primaries, 2.25-inch secondaries) and the center section was made from a black-colored \u201cmineral fill phenolic resin\u201d which was engineer talk for plastic. The use of this material (and not metal) was done to help lower the temperature of the fuel as it passed through the carburetor, to fight vapor lock as well as any type of fuel starvation from percolation. Carter claimed their new design kept the gasoline between 15 and 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) cooler as compared to conventional designs, and offered improved performance due to the denser fuel charge. For this original equipment application on the Chrysler 340-cid engine (starting in 1971), the TQ was listed as having 750-800 cfm, depending on the source.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201c340 Four Barrel\u201d in 1972 meant 240 (net) HP @ 4,800 rpm and 290 (net) lb.-ft. of torque @ 3,600 rpm. The earlier 340s were more powerful because of the superior heads and higher compression (10.5:1 vs. 8.5:1).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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There\u2019s plenty of storage room inside the trunk of the Duster body design (20.1 cubic feet) and this car appears to have a truly \u201chardly ever used\u201d cargo space area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This particular car was fitted with optional M85 bumper guards, which added $14.50 to the cost of the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

REMAINED IN THE GLOVE BOX<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Inside the glove box, this near-mint Valiant-Duster Operator\u2019s Manual and a computer data card that was used on the assembly line, showing workers the various options on the car (this card was inserted into a machine that presumably printed further detailed information about the particular car\u2019s option package). These date cards are not often seen these days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOX & MARTIN DUSTER<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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No doubt the original owner of this Duster 340 was a fan of the Sox & Martin drag race Duster, as evidenced by the \u201cSox & Martin Plymouth Supercars\u201d decal placed on the inside of the trunk lid. In 1970, Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin first started out with a Barracuda in Pro Stock competition, and soon added a Duster (shown in photo) as their #2 team car, driven by \u201cMr. 4-Speed\u201d Herb McCandless, winning the prestigious U.S. Nationals. This 426 HEMI\u00ae engine-powered Duster was built with an \u201cacid-dipped\u201d body (a process that chemically milled the metal for lighter weight), used six-cylinder torsion bars and a lightweight six-cylinder spec radiator, and fitted with a rugged Dana 60 differential. Team wrench and mechanical wizard Jake King built the engine. Pro Stock Cars of this era ran high 9s in the quarter-mile.\u00a0In recent times, there’s been a re-creation S&M Duster built as the original was destroyed in a towing fire. While the great and legendary driver Ronnie Sox is gone (1938-2006), partner Buddy Martin and team driver Herb McCandless are active in the Mopar world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Author: James Maxwell<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

– Original paint FE5 Rallye Red 1972 340 Duster w\/V21 performance hood paint– D21 4-speed transmission with short-stroke Hurst shifter– S84 Tuff steering wheel, V6X Black tape stripes This FE5 (Rallye Red) Duster 340 is a true \u201csurvivor\u201d Mopar\u00ae muscle car that wasn\u2019t modified for racing and all the years remained in near mint condition, with original paint! It was luckily found on eBay and purchased from the original owner. The vehicle has to be considered perhaps the most truly original (unrestored) 1972 Duster 340 in the world, and thankfully […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":82846,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2622],"tags":[528],"class_list":["post-82867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-heritage","tag-drag-racing"],"acf":[],"custom_fields":{"post_thumbnail_image":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SurvivorDuster_Feature.jpg","social_image":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/SurvivorDuster_Social.jpg","icon_selection":"article","external_link":"","featured_article":[],"upload_background_image":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82867"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82867"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82915,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82867\/revisions\/82915"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}