Duster VS Dart

Locomotion said

It may have been a budget move because many different models began using the same style and they were all plastic.

Don't know if it was a factor, but the newer style may be more visible than the flush mounted ones - safety reasons.

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I think you are likely right that cost played a part in it rather than safety because lots of later model cars used the old flush mounted side markers,even into the 1980's,like the third generation firebirds and Camaros,so it couldn't have been a safety thing.