'76 Duster Mini Resto...

[Pana.Mopar]

My '76 Duster is getting ready to go into the panel shop this Saturday to be tidied up and given a new coat of it's original "Yellow Blaze".. Can't wait till it's done..

Here's some info and a few pics of the old girl. It's my first US Mopar and I dont think this one will be leaving me. I'm already starting to complate bringing in an earlier Duster and going the big block route... We'll see....

This car was original purchased from Central Valley Chrysler in Modesto, CA and I'm the third owner. It has always loved it's life in CA.

I purchased the vehicle in June and got it shipped Down Under...

Here's the option codes on the vehicle... It's matching numbers 318...

I'm currently mid way through building a mild 318 for the vehicle which will go in later in the year.

OPTION CODES: E44, B41, C16, C56, D32, A88, A91, A91, V4W, G54, H51, M21, M26, N21, N95, R11, N37, G64, G74, C6XW

 

[Keith Mopar]

Looks like a nice car to start with, good find, and I love that color.

Do you guys have to convert the steering over to right hand drive ?

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Hi Keith,

Yeah, I was wrapped with the car. It's so clean and rust free. Just has 30 years of battle damage on the old girl. I'll keep updating with some progress pics of the next few weeks...

Good thing with Australian Vehicle Law now is that if the vehicle is 30 years or older it does not need to be converted and we dont need these stupid decals on the rear screen saying "LEFT HAND DRIVE VEHICLE" like we use to.. There was no way I was going to convert it. I love the left hand drive. I've actually only driven the Duster 3 times and I must say the first couple of times were a little frightening but it's pretty easy now...

Yeah, I'm in love with the colour combo. I had an Australian Chrysler Valiant VF Pacer prior to the Duster which was "Isis Yellow". A similar colour and it just looks great! Real retro and stands out. On this Duster though the white interior just looks sensational!

 

[mguner]

I sold it's twin a few moths ago. It was white on top originally but I liked the way black and yellow go together....

 

[DusterEd]

How many Dusters have you ever seen down there? Nice car, Great color too.

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Hi DusterEd,

I know of about 6 Duster's down here but I'm sure there's a few more around. Not the most popular of US Mopars down here. There's a lot of Charger's, Cuda's and Challenger's as that's what most of the enthusiasts like. I just love A-Body's as they are the underdog and are not seen much.. Certainly turn a lot of heads.. I reckon I might have to bring another Duster, Demon or Dart Sport Down Under in the next couple of years...

Beautiful Duster you have there by the way.. Great colour combo..

 

[Pana.Mopar]

How cool is that! It's twin... That looks like a nice vehicle...

I love mine with the white stripe on it. I fell in love with the colour combo. I am going to change one thing though on mine as Im going to put the '74 340 stripe on it and rear decal on it.. Just love it a lot better than the "Gold Duster" stripes..

How many Dusters have you ever seen down there? Nice car, Great color too.

I sold it's twin a few moths ago. It was white on top originally but I liked the way black and yellow go together....

 

[DusterEd]

Thanks for the nice words about my car. I guess you must come up here alot, looking for A bodies. I have a question. Were there ever any Cordova's sold down there in the late 70's?

 

[Bigmacdak]

Thats a great looking duster you have. It looks like the interior is in great shape as well.

Australia looks alot like Okalhoma from your pics. I have always wanted to go down to Australia, looks like a cool place to live.

Nice find on the duster!!

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Duster in the panel shop being straightened up and repainted in it's original "Yellow Blaze"... I should have the car back in about 4 - 6 weeks. I'll be putting on '74 340 stripes instead of the "Gold Duster" stripes and no vinyl roof. Will also get front end rebuild, sure grip and a fresh warm 318 will drop in while I build the 440 / 727 for the old girl...

 

[sublime green]

looking good, nice project, wouldn't mind having that duster, i like it.

 

[70dart]

awesome shape nice car, keep the progress pics coming they are great!

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Hi Ladies and Gents... Here's a few updates on the DUSTER FROM DOWN UNDER... Nearly done.. Just need the boot to be painted and a few other things.. Let it cure for a while till the stripes go on.. Only difference will be No Vinyl Roof and it will have '73 Duster 340 Stripes... They look better than the Gold Duster stripes..
Hope you enjoy the udpate..

 

[HawaiiDuster]

Kind of makes me want to fix up my 76 Duster instead of cutting it up. Mine also has the white interior with a fold down rear seat.

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Don't cut it up mate... I love my Duster... I went down to the Shop this morning and checked it out.. Here's another couple of pics...

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Here's some update pics.. Stripes now on... Nearly there...

 

[70dart]

Looking mighty nice!

 

[Mr2.4]

Very very nice!!!

 

[6pk2goDemon]

Nice progress there.

Car looks great and I agree with your choice on the stripes. :cheers:

 

[pettybludart]

Your car is coming along very well!!I was gonna mention about(74 340 stripe)but I noticed you changed it to(73 340 stripe) In 74 they changed to a 360.It would be great if you could bring a nice 340 down home with ya.The boys would really get a shock if they thought it was a 318.Keep up the great progress!!

 

[mguner]

Very Nice!

 

[Pana.Mopar]

Bit of an update on the Aussie Duster... Nearly done.. A few small things to do here and there before I can enjoy the old girl... Here's a couple of pics...

 

[res1vw21]

sweet!