My "new" '74 Duster- or why I need a project like a hole in the head

Oh no worries, I understand. That's literally one of the big reasons I bought my Duster, /6 '74 car so open season on everything. Not worth anything factory stock. I have the same dilemma with my '71 GT, it's only a 318 car but it's all numbers matching and they only made ~1,250 of them in '71. I went back and forth on the chassis work I did on it a bunch, but I decided the USCT subframes, torque boxes and shock upright braces were tasteful enough. They're all pretty subtle unless you look for them, and really IMO they all need subframe connectors. And if someone else decides it has to be 100% stock later then they can deal with it, it can all be undone with the proper skills, time and money.

I have too many projects already so I shouldn't buy anything else anyway, but I won't be buying any numbers matching anythings anymore. The fun for me is in driving them, and a "clone" with the modifications I like to do will drive and handle better than any of the fancy rare factory jobs in stock form.

I’ve got to agree. Was talking to a buddy just today and said someday I would like to build a ‘71-72 B-Body Plymouth and said “Oh, you want a Roadrunner”. I said no, just a basic Sebring or Satellite so I don’t have to feel bad about modifying it. No idea if I ever will, but right now I only have my Duster so it’s not like I have a bunch of projects waiting in the wings.

I have no issues with modifying my car, until I have to cut sheet metal. Some is ok, like the sub-frame connectors it has, and I am getting closer to being ok cutting the floor for a T56 but not all the way there yet. Taken a lot of years to get to that point.