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The first Plymouth Duster was a semi-fastback version of the Plymouth Valiant automobile, produced in the US from 1970 to 1976. Plymouth sailboat logo used from 1996 to 2001 Plymouth was a brand of automobile based in the United States, marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 2001. ...
The Plymouth Valiant was an automobile manufactured by the Plymouth division of Chrysler Corporation in the United States from 1960 to 1976. ...
1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ...
1976 (MCMLXXVI) is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...
The Duster resulted from the Plymouth planning staff's desire to use their allotted 1970 restyling money for something more desirable than the usual two and four-door Valiants; working "under the radar", Plymouth designers and engineers pulled off a neat trick, a close-coupled coupe design that managed to fit all of the "hard points" of the existing Valiant platform, but provided the new and exciting product that the planners wanted. The Duster was also created to fill the slot that was formerly used by the Valiant-based Barracuda. When the Barracuda moved from its A-body platform to the new E-body platform in 1970 this left a hole in Plymouth's lineup for a cheap youth-oriented car. The Duster would fill this gap beyond Plymouth's expectations.
Several versions were designed for different market segments, from economy to performance, often with fanciful names such as Feather Duster, Gold Duster, Space Duster and Duster Twister.
1970-1976
In 1970 Plymouth unveiled its new Duster model. Following in the Barracuda's footsteps, the Duster was all Valiant from the cowl forward, but the rest of the car was completely different. Using a semi-fastback and a special rear valance with twin horizontal tailights, it definitely had a performance and youth look Plymouth desired. Just like the Barracuda, a small Valiant badge went on the front fenders just above the Duster badge.
The Duster was available in two models — the standard Duster and the high-performance Duster 340. The standard engine was Chrysler's long-serving, reliable Slant Six. The smallest available V8 was the 318 (5.2 L), but the top-performing engine was by far the 340. Conservatively rated at 275 hp, the motor most likely produced closer to 300 hp. Thus, performance was rather brisk with 1/4 mile times in the mid-14s at almost 100 mph, which was good for a car wielding less than 400cid. With the factory optional 3.90 rear end, the car was documented to run high-13s in the 1/4 mile in stock trim.
According to Curtis Redgap at valiant.org, the Duster concept was rejected by Chrysler's top management but was "sneaked through" the system by Plymouth executives, who used their facelift budget to create the vehicle - essentially a two-door Valiant with a rounded rear.
In the midyear a "Gold Duster" trim package was added for the standard model. The Gold Duster package came with either the 225 in³ Slant Six or the 318 in³ V8. It also came with special Gold Duster badging, gold stripes on the sides and rear and other luxury trim options. Total sales in 1970 came to 217,192. Only 24,817 Duster 340s went out of the doors that year. At the end of 1973, Plymouth replaced the 340 cubic inch V8 with a lower performing 360 cid V8 due to government imposed emissions requirements.
The Duster was an instant success for Plymouth, so much so that Dodge insisted to Chrysler management that they receive a version of their own; the Demon debuted in 1971. Plymouth also received the successful Valiant Scamp two-door hardtop in exchange for duplicating the Duster for Dodge. 1971 (MCMLXXI) is a common year starting on Friday (click for link to calendar). ...
In 1971, only small changes were made to the hot-selling Duster. The front grille was slightly tweaked and a new trim package was added to the Duster line. Called the "Twister", this package gave its owner the appearance of the Duster 340 but with only Slant Six or 318 V8 power. This would help in securing insurance for the car and would set the stage for the later all-show-no-go cars in the 1970s. The Twister came with special side stripes that mimicked the 340 models and also provided the new matte black hood and hood scoops. The Duster 340 would also receive these add-ons as well as a new "340 Wedge" decal that was mounted on the hood and at a 45° angle. This told anyone who saw the car that it was powered by the 340. The Gold Duster package also returned this year as well.
The 1976 Feather Duster was an engineering (if not marketing) success, featuring many lightweight parts including some aluminium body panels. It was, by far, the most fuel-efficient car in its size class (along with a similar Dodge model, the Dart Lite). That same year, the Duster 360 was one of a select few truly high-performance cars remaining on the market. However, 1976 models sold poorly largely because the next-generation Valiants, renamed to Plymouth Volare, were made available mid-year, and gained considerable critical acclaim with their more formal look and redesigned front suspensions - until quality issues arose. The Dodge Aspen was a midsize car of the 1970s from Chryslers Dodge brand. ...
1976 was the final year for the original Duster, although the name lived on, first as a trim package for the Plymouth Volare coupe, then later on to the front wheel drive Plymouth Turismo, and finally, from 1992 to 1994 as the sport edition of the Plymouth Sundance compact coupe and sedan. The Dodge Aspen was a midsize car of the 1970s from Chryslers Dodge brand. ...
Front wheel drive is the most common form of engine/transmission layout used in modern passenger cars, where the engine drives the front wheels. ...
There have been a number of vehicles bearing the Dodge Charger nameplate, but the name has generally denoted a performance model in the Dodge range. ...
1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...
1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...
In 1987, the Dodge Shadow was introduced. ...
Additional information is available in the Valiant article. The Plymouth Valiant was an automobile manufactured by the Plymouth division of Chrysler Corporation in the United States from 1960 to 1976. ...
1985-1986 For 1985, Plymouth created a trim line of the Plymouth Turismo called the "Duster". This was a clone of the Dodge Charger of the same era. This Duster lasted only two years. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x459, 61 KB) Summary Plymouth Duster EEK model, 1985 or 1986 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Dodge Charger Plymouth Duster ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1024x459, 61 KB) Summary Plymouth Duster EEK model, 1985 or 1986 Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Dodge Charger Plymouth Duster ...
This article is about the year. ...
There have been a number of vehicles bearing the Charger nameplate, but the name has generally denoted a performance model in the Dodge range. ...
1992-1994 The Duster name was again revived for the performance V6-powered version of the Plymouth Sundance from 1992 to 1994. The Ford Essex V6 engine A V6 is an internal combustion piston engine with six cylinders in a V configuration. ...
In 1987, the Dodge Shadow was introduced. ...
1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...
1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...
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