Buying My First Muscle Car 1973 Duster 340 Interior Pic

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Gold Crusader

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Hey guys!
I've wanted a Plymouth since I was very little. Now that I'm 26 I finally have saved enough spare cash to buy my first one! This weekend I'm bringing home a 1973 Plymouth Duster with a Wedge 340 (I'm pretty sure the Wedge means nothing but was just marketing and a slight difference to the engine?)

Anyways, here is a pic of the interior. There are tiny holes in the bottom that I need to patch up and then paint it all. Then, I was wondering what my options were for carpet. Could I put another type of liner in there? Something that isn't carpet or would that be ugly?

Also, what do I call the automatic shifter by the steering wheel? If I need to replace it I'm not sure what to call it. Every time I search automatic shifter it's for the console and not the steering wheel.

Any advice or tips would be great! This is my very first classic car.
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340 cars are fantastic! Companies make patch panels for the floors, and they come with the correct imprint if you can afford it. You could search for base model rubber flooring, but again there are several companies that make nice carpet. How about automatic shifter handle?
 
It's pretty encouraging to see a kid (I know you're an adult, but I'm old) interested in one of these, instead of a Honda. Good for you! As mentioned, you can get pretty much whatever you need to fix the metal on that car. I'm on board.......even if you wanna put 22s all the way around! LOL That ain't my cup of tea, but you'll still be saving another Mopar and that's what counts.
 
It's pretty encouraging to see a kid (I know you're an adult, but I'm old) interested in one of these, instead of a Honda. Good for you! As mentioned, you can get pretty much whatever you need to fix the metal on that car. I'm on board.......even if you wanna put 22s all the way around! LOL That ain't my cup of tea, but you'll still be saving another Mopar and that's what counts.

Hahaha, I'm not interested in putting 22s on it lol but I would like to change the interior to black! Would that be possible? Also, the dash looks to be cracked pretty badly. I've never done a restoration like this so really have no idea where to start :( The car also doesn't have exhaust so I posted in that subforum for help on that part.
 
All you have to do is google whatever your looking for. For example: 1973 plymouth duster carpet and it will come up. Many aftermarket companies
 
Hahaha, I'm not interested in putting 22s on it lol but I would like to change the interior to black! Would that be possible? Also, the dash looks to be cracked pretty badly. I've never done a restoration like this so really have no idea where to start :( The car also doesn't have exhaust so I posted in that subforum for help on that part.

You can, certainly, "I" personally would not if the car still has its original matching drive train. I would lean more toward original. Maybe a second day build.....you know........cool period correct mags wheels, maybe headers, a nice intake and carb combo. In other words, nothing so permanent that you could not keep all the original parts and change it back totally original one day.

That said, that's how "I" would do it, it's yours. Build it how it makes YOU happy. They are only original once and you're going to have to restore the interior.....then it's not original anymore....so......does it really matter what color it is? Probably not.

Also, wedge refers to the combustion chamber shape. All the small blocks had it, nothin special but Mopar used it for marketing. It looks cool in a hood decal. lol
 
My opinion would be to get it running and driving in any condition you can. Too many people blow these things apart then they never get put back together and lose interest. Do what it takes to get it running and driving and then you can take it down for a couple weeks for this or a couple weeks for that and not get discouraged..
Did somebody just tell you it was a 340 or have you looked at the Block and seeing the numbers?
 
My opinion would be to get it running and driving in any condition you can. Too many people blow these things apart then they never get put back together and lose interest. Do what it takes to get it running and driving and then you can take it down for a couple weeks for this or a couple weeks for that and not get discouraged..
Did somebody just tell you it was a 340 or have you looked at the Block and seeing the numbers?
Someone just told me. I'm certainly going to check first. I'll attach a picture here. And, I couldn't agree more. I just want to get this bad boy running asap! I'm so excited my heart is racing. I've looked at mopar cars every day for twenty years lol
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And what's with this close up pictures? Stand back and snap a shot let's see it...
 
LOL
It looks like it's going to run good..
OH! haha, sorry. I'm really nervous about this purchase. Not knowing anything I'm afraid I'm gonna get screwed over. But, it's $5,000 and I have that and I can drop that right now. I thought you meant it was a runner as like he's going to run off with my money LOL Does it look like a 340 or is that impossible to tell?
 
My opinion would be to get it running and driving in any condition you can. Too many people blow these things apart then they never get put back together and lose interest. Do what it takes to get it running and driving and then you can take it down for a couple weeks for this or a couple weeks for that and not get discouraged..
Did somebody just tell you it was a 340 or have you looked at the Block and seeing the numbers?

That's why I did that with my Valiant! I wanted to DRIVE a Mopar again. I have it back down now putting one section of the rear floor pan in, but it won't be down long.
 
$5,000 you have a good start to a really nice car.
Have your uncle start it up and give you a ride in it.
 
Have you checked the numbers on the car to verify it's a real 340 car?
 
You mention you"just want to get this bad boy running ASAP". Does the engine run now??
 
You mention you"just want to get this bad boy running ASAP". Does the engine run now??
I haven't seen the car as of yet. I'm driving up to see it Friday and If all things go well I'm gonna have it towed on Saturday.

Have you checked the numbers on the car to verify it's a real 340 car?
Do you mean the VIN number? I could ask him for it. What else should I check
 
If it's running, driving, and stopping...that's a great Mopar to start with!!:thumbsup:
 
I haven't seen the car as of yet. I'm driving up to see it Friday and If all things go well I'm gonna have it towed on Saturday.


Do you mean the VIN number? I could ask him for it. What else should I check

There's a machined flat surface on the block on the passenger's side right above the oil pan rail. It will have a partial VIN on it. Make sure it matches the VIN on the car. That will verify it is the original engine. The VIN should have an "H" in it I believe, indicating it is an original 340 car.

Just make sure you're getting what is advertised is all.
 
For 5K its probably worth buying. Do you know anyone who is knowledgeable with mopars that can go look at it with you? See what kind of rear is in it, transmission and check the engine numbers. It could be a 273, 318, 340 or 360. Without checking the numbers there is no way to tell. Its probably not an original 340 car but who cares anyways.
Look at the side of the block above the starter and it should say 340 there in big letters. You will need a flashlight and have to look from the bottom up. There are numbers stamped on the front of the engine but they are usually difficult or impossible to read due to grease and paint.
In 73 a 340 car would have an 8 1/4 rear and a 727 trans.
Get the car running and drive it for a while. Fix what you can without taking it off the road. Then one day you can pull it down and do a full restore if you want. If you jump right in and pull it apart it will likely never go back together.
 
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