Plymouth Duster: the Valiant’s semi-fastback coupe

The original Plymouth Duster is a semi-fastback two-door coupe version of the compact Plymouth Valiant, marketed in the United States for the 1970 through 1976 model years. It was introduced in late 1969 as a $15 million effort to update the Valiant for the new season.

Plymouth Duster at a glance

History of the Plymouth Duster

The Duster gave the compact Valiant a sporty body style to draw new customers. It was built on the Valiant platform and shared the same front-end sheet metal, but from the cowl back the design was different: a semi-fastback roof, a special rear valance without bezels, door glass on a new regulator to suit the more radical tumblehome and a more steeply raked windshield. The Valiant badge appeared only on the first model year’s Dusters, while the companion four-door sedan and the two-door Valiant Scamp hardtop kept it throughout.

The car was aimed at Ford’s slightly smaller Maverick and the AMC Hornet, both new for 1969, and at the larger Chevrolet Nova; unlike those, the Duster was offered only as a two-door coupe. Plymouth also marketed it as an alternative to the Volkswagen Beetle and to the new domestic subcompacts such as the Chevrolet Vega.

Model years

For 1970 there were two versions, the standard Duster and the performance-oriented Duster 340, with engine options of 198 and 225 cu in slant sixes plus 318 and 340 cu in V8s. At mid-year a Gold Duster package arrived with gold badging and stripes, wall-to-wall carpeting, pleated all-vinyl seats, whitewalls, wheel covers, extra insulation and a canopy vinyl roof; it stayed on offer until 1975, and 24,817 Gold Dusters were built with the 318.

The Duster was successful enough that Dodge asked for its own version for 1971 and received the Demon; Plymouth in turn was given a version of the Dodge Dart Swinger hardtop, the Valiant Scamp. Changes for 1971 were small: the Valiant fender badges and the Plymouth grille lettering were deleted and a new Duster Twister package appeared, with the look of the Duster 340 but only the six or the 318, adding stripes, a matte-black bonnet, the 340’s shark-tooth grille, an optional non-functional twin bonnet scoop and rear spoiler, high-back bucket seats and dual exhaust. Late in the year a breakerless electronic ignition became optional on the 340.

For 1972 the changes were minor: surface-mount side marker lights, larger one-piece taillamps and a lower compression ratio that cut the 340 from 275 to 245 bhp. The 1973 cars received a new bonnet, grille, front wings, bumpers and taillamps, single-piston sliding disc brake calipers replaced the four-piston units, and Dodge renamed its Demon the Dart Sport after religious groups objected to the name.

Design and features

• Valiant foundation: the same platform and front sheet metal as the compact Valiant, with a unique semi-fastback rear.
• Broad engine range: from economical slant sixes to the 340 cu in V8.
• Trim packages: Gold, Silver, Feather, Space Duster, Twister, 340 and 360 versions covered economy, cargo and performance buyers.
• Twister look: the 340’s stripes and grille on cheaper six-cylinder and 318 cars.

Plymouth Duster versions

• Duster (1970–1976): the standard coupe with slant-six or 318 power.
• Duster 340 (1970–1973): the performance model with the 340 V8.
• Gold Duster (1970–1975): the luxury trim with gold stripes and a vinyl roof.
• Duster Twister (1971): 340 appearance with the six or 318 engine.
• Dodge Demon (1971–1972): the Dodge version, renamed Dart Sport for 1973.

The Duster was derived from the Valiant and shared its market with the Barracuda. More cars are in the Plymouth collection.

Video: 1970 340 Plymouth Duster

Video by ScottieDTV on YouTube.

Sources

• Plymouth Duster, English Wikipedia: design, engines, trims, model year changes