to restore or to mod

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dustersublime

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im having a hard time deciding if I should restore my 70 duster to factory or to mod it . it is not numbers matching at this time an was wanting your opinion as to weather its worth finding all the matching parts? I have included me decoded fender tag.

VS29:
Plymouth Valiant,Duster
Special
2 Door Sports Hardtop
H0B: 340 275HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1970
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
194764: Sequence number
E55: 340 cid 4 barrel V8 275hp
D13: 3 Speed Manual Transmission-Floor Shift
FJ5: Sublime Exterior Color
D2X9: Trim - Luxury, Vinyl Bench Seat, Black
TX9: Black Int. Door Frames
B20: Build Date: November 20
151607: Order number
V1X: Full Vinyl Top, Black
A01: Light Package
A62: Rallye Instrument Cluster Package
G31: OS RH Manual Standard Mirror
L31: Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M25: Wide sill moldings
M31: Belt Moldings
N41: Dual Exhaust
N85: Tachometer
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V6X: Longitudinal Stripes, Black
V8X: Tranverse Stripes, Black
Y05: Build to USA Specs
EN2: End of Sales Codes
 
Finding everything missing that the car came with or date coded etc...
Well, I say build it the way ya want to!
 
weird/rare a 1970 340 with a 3 speed manual? got any pic of the car? what is missing the original engine and trans? looks like it was a nice optioned car back in the day.
 
Honestly it all boils down to your preference. No project is worth doing if your not completely in love with it. other wise chanes are you will never finish it. at some point a project you not in love with will bore or get to a point of frustration that causes you to abandon it, put it off for years, and eventually sell if for penny's on the Dollar.
You also have to ask yourself what do I want? Are you the 100 point restoration kind of guy that wants to preserve a museum piece for others to look at from time to time? Nothing wrong at all with that. Are you the type like Jay Leno that be leaves in Build them to 100% and drive them to 60% then start over, sort of a reliving the old days kinda guy? or are you the build exactly my vision of what this car should be in my mind kinda guy? There is room in the car hobby for all of these people and every single one of them has there merit. but it all boils down to what you want from it. what will make you happy.
Once you decide that then you have to look at a couple of other factors.
First off does this car fit my vision. If you the Museum piece kinda guy you may want to consider investment on return, is the rarity and condition of this car worth what it will take to get it to the condition I want. not much putting $100K into a car that will be worth $35K when your finished. especially if all your going to do is show it a couple of seasons and then sell it at auction.
Beleave me i could go on for pages breaking down the various pros and cons for a given build plan. but it all has to do with what you want from it personally and whether or not what you have in front of you fits that criteria. Never worry about that the next guy thinks you should do with your car. If you want a custom but the car you have is better suited for restoration sell it to that gut that is all about the 100 point restoration, and find a slant 6 rolling body to mod. or vice verse.
 
I just want to have a nice car to drive on the weekends , if its a rare car I want to restore it to original but if its not rare then I don't want to stress trying to find a 340. was the full vinyl top a rare option ?
 
The vinyl was probably a lot more common then a 340 3 speed stick.

what condition is the car in? There are things that you can do to it an have no effect to valuation to the car and do other things that will detract in a major way. If it's future value is a factor in your decision. It is your car to do what you want with it. not giving much as to what your thoughts are as to what you want to do or what you're starting with...... I agree with squatch if your wanting to tub and cut up a decent 340 car it might be best to pass it off in exchange for a /6 car.
 
All the hard/expensive parts are there so I say go back stock since it is a relatively rare 3 speed car.
 
however you want to drive it. NO TRAILER QUEENS, just have fun with it. Its not a 1 in 5 car so make it what you want it to be.
 
I had ended my first Mopar addiction in 67 and started again in 91. Don't do numbers matching unless you are addictd to stock restore. In the sixties, the first thing we did was make changes. Make what you want to drive not for the viewers to pick it apart. My toy had the trim blacked out when I bought it. I couldn't afford to rechrome everything so I powder coated them. I have had positive comments everywhere I go. Do you think it looks good? I do
 

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if its rare or wacky, either put it back to stock or sell it to someone who might...plenty of builder /6 or 318 cars out there....
 
Nobody can tell the difference between a 340 & a 360 unless there under the car or if eagle eyed and leaning over the nose looking for a balancer difference from the outside LOL!

Ted makes a good point. That is how I feel about it. Bottom line, do what makes you happy.
 
Do a little of both. If you alter it save the parts. Like the 3 spd. Put a 4spd in it and have fun. Put a 360 in it and look for a 340 while you enjoy driving it. Part of the fun is the easter egg hunt of finding parts. You have a desirable collector car with the color combo. Not a ton of lime green 340 3spd cars made or left.
 
Do something that you can do to enjoy it. I had a race car for 32 years and i didn't enjoy it as much as the 66 valiant that i have now! i go to shows, crusing, or just go to the store when the weather is good! people all smile when they see a /6, I play with it, i work on it myself, i'll modify as money is available. You have to do what YOU want and you can be happy with!
 
It's not the correct number matching motor, so Mod it. Even if it was, who cares...do what you want to it. It has always boiled down to one thing with me, It's my time, money, and blood dripping off my knuckles. If someone one doesn't like it, tell them to build one there own way.
 
thanks guys for all the feed back . this is by far not my first project but is the first mopar I am building for myself, as of now all I want is a fun driver and collect numbers matching parts for a future 100% restoration. I beleave all cars were ment to be driven and enjoyed. I will try to get some pictures up this weekend.
 
I agree with the others...build it the way you want it. I think thats what most of us do with A bodies.
 
it depends on what you like. do you want to go to museum meets and drink champagne? do you want to cruise around town? do you want to race at the strip?
 
My 67 is pretty much all original, as much as a 67 can be. I took some liberties on color and a few other things ignition etc for reliability. I drive it everywhere and anytime, but draw the line with snow.
It runs good for what it is, turns heads always and gets decent gas mileage. If I choose to sell the car it can all be changed back with ease.

You don't have to build an extreme 100 point resto to build a nice car that is fun to drive.

Personally, I think Mopar did a lot of things right when it came down to body styles, colors, accents, engines and options - some awesome combinations.
 
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