I am advertising this vehicle for a friend of mine who lives 1.5 hours south of me in Chesapeake Va. zip code 23322. I personally inspected, documented & photographed this 1973 Duster 340 on Sunday January 5th of this year. The following information has been verified through the fender tag and build sheet. While this is a documented matching numbers 1973 Duster 340 there have been some changes throughout the last 40 years. Not much is known about the previous owners other than the vehicle originated from Virginia. Current owner purchased the vehicle in April 2004. The odometer is showing 71,152 and is listed as actual mileage on the title. Although the car is currently painted a base/clear dark metallic green it was originally Autumn Bronze Metallic (GK6) with a black vinyl top, (V1X). A seldom seen color. It appears to have been only painted once. There is a 3" hairline crack in dash front edge just above glove box. Not that noticeable. As per the fender tag this 73 Duster 340 left the factory WITHOUT 340 stripes down the side or rear tail panel. It is a front disk brake car. The console (C16), was added at some point along with the power brake booster, Tuff wheel and a 2.71 ratio, 8.25 rear. The original steering wheel was the standard 3-spoke black unit (S85). The original factory rear was of course a 8.25, 3.23 open as per the build sheet. The car continues to retain the factory power steering unit (S77), air conditioning system (H51), (not currently charged) & parchment bucket seat interior. Vehicle is coded for road wheels (W21), of which are currently installed & E-70 x 14 black sidewall tires (T77). Of course 73 was the start of the 4.5" bolt circle. Original owners manual remains in glove box.
Below is the decoded fender tag info.........
Code Description
E55 340-4 Barrel 69-73
D34 TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
VS29
V = Plymouth Valiant / Duster
S = Special
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
H3B
H = 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
3 = 1973
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
330627 Sequence Number '330627'
GK6
Paint Code: Dark Bronze Metallic
C6L3
Trim Grade/Style/Color
C = Charger
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
L3 = Parchment
000 Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
120 Date Built: 1 / 20 / 1973
221368 Order Number: 221368
V1X Roof Type OR Color: Full Vinyl Top - Black
U Built to Specifications for USA Order
B41 Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
C56 Bucket Seats 1972 up
H51 Single Air /w Heater
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
N41 Duel Exhaust w/o Tips
N42 Chrome Duel Exhaust Tips
N76 Coolant Recovery System
R21 Solid State AM / FM
V68 Delete Stripes
V88 Delete Transverse R/T Stripe
26 26 in. Radiator
EN2 End of Codes Assembly Line 2
The following is a list of items completed by the current owner over his 10 year ownership:
1. Installed new side marker lights.
2. Painted grill black (of course originally argent silver with chrome accents)
3. New outer door handles
4. Replaced tail light bezels
5. Installed new Eldebrock carb
6. Re-upholstered front buckets/rear seats
7. New carpet
8. New headliner (not original heavy board style but rather perforiated type)
9. Non original package tray.
A test drive of the vehicle at highway speeds indicated no problems what so ever. Transmission shifted fine, no driveline vibrations,, vehicle
tracked correctly and braking was firm. All door seals are tight with no outside air intrusion. The engine was rebuilt at some point with a very
mild cam installed. Car has replacement radiator and is missing fan shroud. All interior & exterior lighting is functional as is the factory
correct AM/FM radio (R21). There are two after market speakers mounted in the rear deck at present although the car is coded for one rear speaker (R31) drivers side. Center dash speaker is still present. The key left in ignition buzzer & seat belt light & buzzer are both still
functional.
The paint is not without its flaws with what appears to be small bubbles in a few areas that may indicate moisture was present in the air
system when the vehicle was painted. I have photographed these areas but are a little difficult to see with the dark green paint. Again these
areas are not throughout the entire car exterior but rather limited to 3-4 small places. These locations have not grown in size the last 10 years
according to owner leading me to believe they were in fact due to poor painting practices and not rust. The drivers side door opening at bottom right corner shows a small amount of rust but was treated years ago and has not expanded. A small magnet was run over the entire car and
adhered very well to all surfaces paying particular attention to lower quarters and rocker areas. If there was any filler applied to lower
quarters/rockers it was minimal. The trunk area to include spare tire well and outer extensions/drop downs are rust free. The topical areas seen in the trunk photo's are typical moisture created by the trunk mat. Both rear quarter panels appear to be original with the factory heavy sound deadening undercoat still present. Original jack, spare tire hold down with wing nut, spare rim, & heavy cardboard cover are present. Owner to locate jack handle. A reproduction trunk mat has been added. Original jacking instruction label still in place. The trunk light, while not original to this car was added by current owner. The B.F Goodrich radial T/A's are older but retain 3/4 tread life. All trim rings,center caps & lug nuts are in great shape.
Both front & rear bumpers have been rechromed and show extremely well.
Non original aftermarket side view mirrors are currently installed while all glass is original and tinted (G11).
Original items to the vehicle that are not installed on the car but will go to the new owner are:
1. Air cleaner
2. Thermoquad carb 6139s
3. Outer door handles
4. Valve covers
5. Am radio (just Am, original working Am/Fm still in vehicle)
6. Evaporative cannister
7. Chrysler/Plymouth Body service & Chassis service manuals (reprints)
This is a very solid, mechanically sound, entry level Duster 340 that won't break the bank and can be improved upon while continuing to be
enjoyed. PM me for owner info, ............Asking 14,500 OBO, No trades
