1971 Plymouth Duster

1971 Plymouth Duster 340 After a successful partnership with Warner Bros. studios to use the Roadrunner cartoon and sound on the now legendary muscle car, Plymouth thought the Tasmanian Devil would be the perfect complement to the Duster line and had hoped to use his image on the car. But negotiations didn't work out, so they created the cartoonish twister logo in house, and it has become the recognizable image associated with the car. For consignment, a 1971 Plymouth Duster 340 showing 2,004 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This built 340 is the real deal, with an R block serving as the base for a powerplant that now generates nearly 600 horsepower. This one is sure to stir up some dust, and some asphalt too! Exterior Even the hood scoop couldn't contain the engine as the air element protruded out of the top of the black intake the straddles matte black stripe on the pinned hood, contrasting sharply with the attractive Bright Blue Metallic paint. Of course, you have to have the side stripes as well which include a 340 at the tail end, likely the end competitors will see. The double stripe continues out back behind the distinctive slit style tail lights while dual oval exhaust tips make an appearance under the chrome bumper. 15-inch Weld Prostar wheels provide the shoes and are wrapped in staggered size tires that contribute to a slightly raked stance. Cracks, scratches, and bubbling in the paint are noted in several spots as well as some flaking filler make the list of imperfections on the exterior. Interior Standard Duster door panels are tidy black vinyl covers with a woodgrain insert and that's pretty much where the stock appearance ends. Turning towards the cabin, you're met with blue foam covers on a roll cage, leading to high backed bucket seats in handsome, stitched charcoal vinyl in very nice condition, with racing harnesses and the back seat that look unused. A three spoke Mopar Tuff wheel leads to the instrument cluster, which is an array of original, classic gauges and some newer AutoMeter SportComp dials and an auxiliary toggle switch panel for fuel, fan, and power. Perched on the dash pad is a large tachometer and shift light and in the center console, a B&M shifter is poised for some good times, based on what we see as a snakehead shaped console. Loop carpet is placed on the floor and the perforated headliner is in place up above in decent condition. Drivetrain Here's where things get serious and aside from the engine and bay being show ready spotless, it's also built. Ray Barton Race Engines put this together and invoices from the build will come with the car along with the dyno sheet showing 585.61 horsepower. The 424ci stroker V8 includes a 340 R block, Molnar crank and rods, Diamond pistons with moly rings, a Billet roller timing chain set, an ATI balancer, and a Bullet Racing cam with .645i/630e lift, 274i/280e duration @.050. The heads are Edelbrock Victor heads with ARP head studs and Harland Sharp roller rockers. Up top, an Edelbrock Victor intake is capped by a Dominator 4500 4-barrel carburetor. The A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission includes a reverse manual valve body and 10 TCI 3,800 stall converter with power routed to an 8 ¾ rear with 4.88 gears. Wilwood disc brakes are at all four wheels to bring the ponies to a slow trot. Undercarriage Underneath we find driver quality conditions, noting some encapsulated rust on the inner rocker panels, but nowhere else. There is some frame bracing added and of course, a driveshaft loop. The dual exhaust comes from headers and into FlowMaster mufflers before heading to the back. Suspension consists of torsion bars up front and leaf springs in back. We also note some oil on the rear differential. Drive-Ability Just as one would expect, this race engine sounds like a race engine, and even with the FlowMasters, there is no doubt this is not your grandfather's 340. A blip of the gas pedal and the throttle react