AJ’s Car of the Day: 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 Coupe

AJ’s Car of the Day: 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 Coupe

Car: Plymouth Duster 340
Year: 1972
What makes it special: Plymouth’s Duster was a semi-fastback two-door coupe version of their Valiant model, and produced for the 1970 to 1976 model years. It gave the buying public a sportier version of the Valiant. It shared the same body platform as the Valiant, but used different sheet metal from the front cowl back. The first year Dusters wore the Valiant badge, but it was removed starting with the 1971.
What made it famous: There were little changes to the Duster for the 1972 model year. New surface-mount sidemarker lights replaced the previous flush mount, the taillights were now larger and one-piece. The 340 V8’s power rating went from 275bhp to 245 bhp due to a reduction in its compression ration from 12.2:1 to an 8.5:1. All horsepower ratings numbers were decreased for 1972 due to a new rating protocol. Electronic ignition became standard on the 1972 340 models as well.
Why I would want one: I’ve always loved and wanted a Duster to this day. They are awesome for a street machine build.
Fun fact: There was a one-year-only air cleaner that had a vacuum operated door at the bottom to allow for more air flow when the throttle is depressed.

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