1970 Plymouth Duster

The resto-mod scene has gotten so big that it's starting to create its own divisions. One side builds comfortable cars that look great but aren't that track-worthy. The other side forsakes comfort for an obsession with torching strips and destroying curves. There's nothing wrong with either mindset, but cars like this meticulously restored Duster are reminders that you don't necessarily have to choose a side. At home on the road or the track, this exceptional Plymouth is a high-dollar build that plants 426 cubic inches of legendary Hemi big block in front of a trick 3-speed and roster of world class mechanicals. And best of all, it's a completely livable cruiser that features paint and bodywork that'll leave most show cars quivering in their silicone-laced radials. Ready for an incredible resto-mod with absolutely no asterisks, gimmicks or excuses? Get to know this boss MoPar! LEMON TWIST TERROR Much nicer than when it rolled off Chrysler's storied Dodge Main assembly lines, this slick coupe has been lovingly restored into a take-no-prisoners street warrior that consistently knocks people out at cruise nights. You certainly won't be staying under the radar with its correct and cool Lemon Twist paintwork, which has been applied under bold, 340-style war paint. And overall, this fully sorted Plymouth is a unique representation of the first, and some would say best, era of Motor City mayhem! The Duster, Chrysler's sporty competitor for the Chevy Nova and Ford Maverick, resulted from the Plymouth division's desire to use allotted 1970 restyling money for something more exciting than their usual two and four-door Valiants. And with its spirited paint, semi-fastback profile and aggressive call-outs, this beast is definitely not your grandma's grocery getter! The car's original sheetmetal kicks off with a textured grille that centers clear parking lamps between large headlights and a broad chrome bumper. Above that grille, a pinned 6 BBL Hood fronts matte wipers, scratch-free glass and straight stainless trim. At the sides of that hood, a Pentastar branded profile plants two-tone marker lamps under polished mirrors, squared door handles and a painted fuel filler. And at the back of that profile, a striped valance hangs black-trimmed taillights above polished exhaust tips and a second broad bumper. MORE TWISTS THAN ONE Spinning out a solid 660 horsepower, this Plymouth's 426 cubic inch Hemi is ready for anything the street throws at it... Anything! That legendary mill, built by the pros at Farmington Hills, Michigan's Best Machine Racing Engines, centers a polished Edelbrock air cleaner on a duo of chromed Edelbrock carburetors. Those pots feed an aluminum Chrysler intake, which feeds aluminum Stage V heads that wear a polished breather and mirrored covers. Mopar Performance electronic ignition manages an MSD Pro-Billet distributor, which sequences fire between an MSD Blaster 2 coil and MSD Super Conductor plug wires. At the front of those wires, bright serpentine components spin an aluminum water pump between a polished AC compressor and a polished Powermaster alternator. In front of those ancillaries, a dressed aluminum radiator shades two electric puller fans. And exhaust duties are handled by, you guessed it: coated long-tube headers. Brilliant yellow two-stage slinks through the whole engine bay, highlighting an impeccable install that was performed by Clinton Township, Michigan's Dave Dudek Muscle Cars. And everything, from the car's deep oil pan and trick dipstick to its braided hoses and choice Quick Fuel Technologies regulators, is well planned and well executed. MORE THAN ENGINE MODS Bottom-side, a dressed A727 3-speed makes excellent use of a GEAR VENDORS overdrive. Power spins through a sporty Dana 60 axle that's built with Strange shafts, a limited-slip differential and 3.73 gears. The car's thoughtfully reinforced chassis floats welded frame connectors in front of clean monoleafs, adjustable Rancho