The Great Pumpkin - '71 Duster

rumblefish360 said

Ether grill looks good IMO. I like the shark tooth grill a little more probably since it was a bit more uncommon. I think it looks great.
Maybe, IDK since I’m not a numbers guy, but the Twister might have been a place to get a shark tooth grill as an option?
Again, IDK.

Click to expand...

Right it's Shark tooth, not "Sharkstooth". I'm an idiot.

Anyway, I believe you're correct in that you could get the Shark tooth grille with the Twister package. My guess is the inclusion of the vinyl top is probably what excluded the sporty grille option because the combination of the two looks a little odd. Twisters were painted roofs AFAIK.

The decor/package designers probably figured the secretaries and grade school teachers who were driving 318 2bbl Dusters didn't care about a racy look. The vinyl top gives it an illusion of class. "Let's tart up our basic transportation model with a top hat so people think they're getting some amount of luxury." Right.

My car had stick-on side molding too to prevent parking lot door dings. It stands to reason people who bought 340 Dusters probably didn't spend much time at the supermarket so preventing shopping cart dents was likely less critical to them. 318 2bbl Dusters probably spent more time in shopping center parking lots than anywhere else.

And yes, I did think about all that before I bought the grille... I do wish my car didn't have a vinyl top. If I ever decide to paint the exterior it's gone.