The "Nobody will want it" 73 Duster Driver project

-
RGAZ

RGAZ

Diehard
Joined
Jan 20, 2021
Messages
92
Reaction score
87
Location
Greenwood, SC
I am reviving a 1973 Plymouth Duster to become a driver of basic use. No engine swap here, no perfect restoration either, just a basic driver using as much as the OEM that makes sense and within reasonable cost. So lets get this thing started!!

Here is what I got from Tablebeast: 1973 Plymouth Duster

IMG_0141.JPG
IMG_0142.JPG
IMG_0143.JPG
IMG_0144.JPG
IMG_0147.JPG
SNAP_20210824-175548.jpg


Fender decode:
E24 225 1 BBl (basic)
D34 3 speed auto (basic)
V
L = Low LOL
29 2dr sports HT
C 225 1BBL
3 1973
B Hamtramck
***
JY3 Honey Gold
D Low trim
2 vinyl bench
Y4 gold interior (Nice)
000
August 11th day build
Upper body JY3 Honey Gold no vinyl.

Here is what I go cooking so far:
Flooring removed and viola!! The common rusty floor. I am on it.

IMG_0145.JPG

Almost missing a Radiator, got one from this forum (Thanks 69GTS) had it repaired, cleaned, painted and tested all good...

IMG_0148.JPG
IMG_0149.JPG


And checked for build sheet or documents and not there, but seat is not bad...

IMG_0146.JPG
 
After floor I will attack the rear quarters and the oddness of the trunk quarters. Then I will give her a nice coat of paint...

BTW - she only has 90K original miles.
 
good luck with that 73, i have the twin of that car, same color and options. Im putting a 340/727 and a 8.74 3:55 rear in mine... i also wanted a daily fun car with no exterior paint done to it, plenty of dents though...just a fun car that i can park some where and not stress about the perfect paint, i already have one of those that i dont drive. i changed the tailpanel to a 70-71 style, next is the hood and grill... i will be following along..... Rich
 
I had a similar car as a kid. Petty blue with a B7 blue interior. Slant 6 and factory AC. It was the ultimate in reliability. You have a great car
 
I can't keep all the screennames straight, I was just avoiding using his actual name. The cars title does not have his screen name. LOL
 
Yep, that is it.

Anyway, project update.

Got the radiator installed and cleaned up the fan too. Tranny lines were a pain as they were bent pretty badly.

IMG_0312.JPG
IMG_0313.JPG


Next I need to straighten out the fuel system: Tank, plastic filter (yikes), charcoal canister reinstall. Etc.
 
Its been a long time since my last update, but I have been driving and working on the car. Took it on the Hot Rod Power tour in 2023 and it overheated due to stuck thermostadt and old water pump, but have been doing a lot.

Here is the build sheet I found under the seat.
image-20230526-162941-9e5d9b38.jpeg
Pretty basic

Then I painted the grill to make it look cleaner. I also blacked out the yellow behind.

image-20230812-141429-41aac9ac.jpeg

Looks better IMHO. Next I cleaned up the diff and decided I will swap it. Here it is cleaned up.

image-20230930-165753-38b37eea.jpeg
image-20231001-165518-2a10d2ad.jpeg


Now I decided I wanted to give it the Twister Tribute, so here is a trial run (I used spay on vinyl to see what it looks like). I like it.

image-20231110-160957-554b33e4.jpeg
image-20231110-173514-d50c9140.jpeg


I will be painting the whole car and definitely making a Twister Tribute.
More to come...

RGAZ
 
I bought a 70 roadrunner 8-3/4 off B-body only forum and here is me moving the perches and restoring it for install.
image-20240113-172720-63afeb18.jpeg
image-20240113-184349-16640795.jpeg
image-20240203-200407-ca98c8cb.jpeg
image-20240313-215524-6b332e3f.jpeg
image-20240313-215540-b6dab9db.jpeg


I pressed in new studs (got rid of reverse thread) on both sides and did a total brake rebuild. The chunk is a 741 open with 2.9 gears, so that will need to be upgraded one day.

Recently, I am doing bodywork, here is the first patch area I am doing....

image-20230930-165815-beb231f3.jpeg


I have a patch panel and will need to rebuild the drop as well.

More to come...
RGAZ
 
The Duster is actually not bad rust wise.
 
sireland67 said:
The Duster is actually not bad rust wise.
Click to expand...
I agree. I was pleasantly surprised. It spent most of its life in Florida and moved up to NC for a little while so survived with minimal rust. Although, I am finding more Bondo that I would prefer. Someone must have owned stock!
 
that's a pretty solid car, should make a nice ride , most of these cars have had bondo added , the one I am working on was solid but had areas on rear quarter just like yours and had been smoothed over with no real repair , but still for the age very solid
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top