This Forgotten Plymouth Muscle Car Was The Smallest Powerhouse Of The '70s
SlashGear • • technology
Key Points:
- The Plymouth Duster was a compact muscle car produced from 1970 to 1976, built on the Valiant platform to compete with models like the AMC Hornet and Ford Maverick.
- The Duster 340, a popular variant, featured a 340-CI V8 engine producing around 275 hp, enabling it to reach 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 128 mph, making it a powerful yet affordable muscle car option.
- Over 1.33 million Plymouth Dusters were produced during its run, with the 1971 Duster 340 priced at $2,547, offering performance features such as a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, and upgraded suspension.
- Despite its performance, the Duster lacked the imposing presence and cultural impact of larger muscle cars, leading to it being categorized as an economy car and largely overlooked in muscle car history.
- Recently, interest in the Duster has grown, with prices rising from the low $30,000s to around $62,000, potentially influenced by the HBO show "Duster," making it a sleeper hit among muscle car enthusiasts.
