Golden Mopar Bites The Dust. 1973 Plymouth Gold Duster Junkyard Find

[@googleusergp]

Whoa Nelley, 1973 and it's over for thee. My sister's first car was a 1974 Gold Duster with a "LTP" and factory AC that was ice cold. It was $745 at an auction in 1983 and we sold it in 1985 when my sister got a 1979 Cutlass from the Cadillac dealership my dad worked at. Yes, those hubcaps are original. My sister's car had the same ones. That bumper sticker likely refers to the SMU (Southern Methodist University) 1981 Mustangs football team as it relates to the Southwest Conference. No, it was likely on the road well after 1981 assuming that the Solus (made by Kuhmo) tires weren't just swapped on at a later date as those are newer than 1981. You're correct, the 1973 Duster was one of the first years for the revised "nose job", as 1972 was a flatter nose. It was likely due to the newer bumper requirements on the later cars for the "nose job". We got the VIN, we win: V for Valiant/Duster/Scamp, H for high price class, 29 for two door sports hardtop, C for 225 CID Slant Six with one barrel, aka "Leaning Tower of Power", aka "Sherman Tank Powerhouse", 3 for 1973 model year, B for Hamtramck, MI assembly and the rest is the production sequence. The Hamtramck MI plant was also called "Factory Zero", "Dodge Main" or more affectionately "D-Ham" (Detroit/Hamtramck) and operated from 1911 to 1980. Today's GM Hamtramck MI plant sits partially on the old Chrysler site. The Slant Six runs, runs, runs and runs some more and is nearly impossible to stop as most know. We got the tag, we can brag: V4Y for Brown/Gold exterior striping, U for USA specification vehicle, A64 for Gold Duster, M21 for roof drip rail moldings, V9Y is likely for the vinyl top, JY6 for Golden Haze exterior paint, D2Y4 for tan interior trim, 306 for Tuesday March 6, 1973 scheduling, E24 for 225 CID Slant Six with one barrel, and D34 for light duty automatic transmission and EN2 for end of sales codes. Based on the door label, this one appears to have been assembled on Thursday March 1, 1973. Yes, all the VINs match. Whoa Nelley, Duster is a ruster. That's it, time to quit. MOPAR not going very far. Leaning Tower of Power in the last hour. Painted Golden Haze and seeing the last of its days. Torqueflite soon to be out of sight. Slant Six hit the bricks. Duster of Gold looks very old. Going to be flat and that's that. Going to get squished and only because of the LTP is anyone just the slightest bit pissed.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

How did the "price class" in the VIN work and how did a Duster end up in the high price class?

[@googleusergp]

@@kennethsouthard6042 No rhyme or reason. Chrysler was backwards back then worse than now. Gold Duster likely meant higher price class.

[@johnhill8046]

I really wish could get this car. It's. A beauty.

[@tedalexander162]

That would be a great project car !!!!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Agreed

[@user-wc4uh4rl3z]

Vote for AL bundy for president sticker 🇺🇲

[@ClassicRideSociety]

👍. Made it a million miles on his

[@zacariasblanco9738]

When it got stolen Al found the radio down the street lol

[@taur86466]

Whoooo Bundy! Al junked 'The Dodge'Hellcat swap! 340 4sp would be lovely too!!!

[@bobmorrison5636]

Bet that slant six will still crank over

[@OsbornTramain]

Who in their right mind? Would scrap a 73 Gold Duster to a scrap yard? The owner must have been an idiot? Dusters are so sort after, they are now the hottest Mopars since all the B Body Muscle Cars have been pretty much found, the A body cars are appreciating in value. Drop a 360 into her or 383 and she'll scream....she's rock solid.....Amazing....just amazing that this car is in a salvage yard.....insane.

[@457rick]

I agree. They are not making cars with this kind of character anymore. The last mustang to me was the fox body. They keep trying to re-invent things like that but they already did it right

[@SnickersG-fu2pw]

The year I was born 73 Plymouth Duster 🌪️ It stood the test of time.

[@SnickersG-fu2pw]

My uncle had one just like it and it would open up on the open road. 🛣️ When I was a kid the hubcaps remind me of a round pie. 🥮

[@robertdiehl9003]

Warrior, tank, indestructible, part of the fabric that sewed America together . Great car. Seen on every roadway. I understand, the car started rusting before even being built but they sold millions of these..

[@diedonner299]

My grandfather had one of these same year with the same hubcaps. Red with a black stripe running down each side. Total rust ball by 1981.

[@terrencegiordan9812]

Benny and the jets that car is a little to good to be in the junkyard it would make a nice 340 4 speed car pretty good body on it. Wow we need some of that rain here in Vero Beach fl we are like 7 inches short. Cool video thanks.

[@garymckee63]

I owned two Dusters, and they ran very well. Of course, one was a 340. Those ugly wheel covers were installed on many of the A body Mopars.

[@bobbill865__]

I believe those hubcaps are original. I was born in 72 and can remember riding in one of these that was owned by an older cousin several times in my childhood years. It had those same wheel covers and was brown with a light beige vinyl interior.

[@googleusergp]

Correct, they appear to be original issue for this car.

[@andrewbutton5580]

They called those the UFO cap, and yes they are original. Notice the car has the 4.5 bolt pattern wheels as well, not the normal chrysler pattern most but not all had in 73. 6 cylinder feature there. Too good of a car to throwaway, for sure.

[@andrewbutton5580]

That old duster looks nicer than any old ones that sit out in colorado as it hasn't been beaten to death with hail.

[@jamesharrington4923]

My 1st car was a 73 340 Duster, love that car!!!😊😊😊

[@shanepoole527]

Excellent looking car I would be willing to bet it would probably shine up pretty good once it was washed it's a shame when people will put in the yard. And it don't look like that vinyl top totally compromised the top of the car either which is a miracle. I wouldn't mind having that car as a project.

[@richroggio]

nice Gold Duster Benny, we had as a family car a 1974 Gold Duster back then.

[@markrendina]

My 1974 duster

[@JamesWoodring-mu2iz]

thanks benny, i always loved the dusters back in the day the 340 ones where bad a s! any mopar is a good investment! facts and im a ford man. thanks for the vid .

[@jdpinbaytown]

I used to have a 1970 with the same 225, Not a whole lot of differences, 5MPH crash Bumpers, Electronic Ignition and Disc Brakes on these.

[@rebeccajohnson1407]

as a kid i would pick Duster up cheap nice ones. bull out the hack saw make some motor mount,s pick up some Fender well Headers stuff a worked over 440 in it 391 gears and go hunting ....good times

[@CarGuyBrad]

I own a '73, also built in 3/73 and at the same plant! Mine's in much better shape - I bought in '86 and keep it garaged. Metallic blue with blk & white interior with console. Had a 318, now a 340. Amazing to see the difference preservation makes!

[@sarbjeethayer4919]

This version came with two slant-sixes with either 198 or 225 cid, and two V-8s with 318 or 340 cid. Power ranged from 125 hp in the small slant-six to 275 hp in the high-performance Duster 340.1 nice find!

[@kbeg132]

1973 was the first year for the government mandated bumpers. To think that was a compact size car in its day. Would look good restored with a 360 V8 and a Plum Crazy paint job! Awesome video

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here 🍩🍩☕️👀😎👍. Morning Benny ! Just got back from Italy & Greece . Man U would have a hard time filming the car over seas those vehicles are recycle like u would believe, yard I saw clean & neat . Oh some of you guys have no idea how lucky we are most if not all vehicles on the road tiny tiny . Some places do not allow car wash, list go’s on. Great video Benny ! Thank you for showcasing vehicles that no one knew what or how to work on !🍩☕️👀😎👍🇺🇸

[@ClassicRideSociety]

they definitely dont have the same car culture we have here 😄

[@debbiebermudez5890]

@@ClassicRideSociety Mr. B. Here 🍩☕️👀😎👍. Morning ! They look at the vehicle as a tool ! Have a good day keep your stuff coming ☕️👀😎👍

[@philipschaefer-di8tb]

that's a very solid car compared to what we have in the north east should not be parted out bring it back on the road!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

agreed

[@unclefester6033]

Where I grew up the majority of these rusted away. Especially on the front end fenders not having inner walls & torsion bar sockets rusting thru

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Get a car from the southwest for the metal and a car from the northeast for the interior and glass.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

that's what ive heard about interiors 👍

[@googleusergp]

No the interiors turn to dust in the Northeast as well.

[@timfordfalconxf7714]

Damm Be a great V8 swap car! if she was mine I would get that slat 6 going and enjoy it as it is :D

[@NickvanMeel]

Nice surviver😎 2 bad it is on the junkyard😰

[@TheTbird668]

Al Bundy is crying because his car is in there!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Didnt he always call it the Dodge though?😄

[@scott4668]

Lol it does look like his car

[@TheTbird668]

Your right Benny. He did.

[@johnwilliam384]

They actually used the Gold Duster. In some episodes you could read ' Gold Duster' on the side of the trunk lid.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Hey Benny, the Duster doesn’t look that bad! Too bad it’s sitting there! 6 cyl, oh well. Lots of them had that motor. 71 was the year I would want (again) Had a 71 with a built 318 back in the early 1980s. Fun car!

[@rickreese5794]

Oldie but goodie😊

[@markrudolph683]

Not bad for a 2 door ❤

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Agreed

[@robertlyman9789]

Something for Mr.Goodwrench!

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Another car that shouldn't be in the Junkyard. It's rough. But it could be turned into a fun driver with little effort and fixed gradually. Just make them run and drive first. Then take care of the details

[@ClassicRideSociety]

agreed

[@backpi]

Everyone tends to like the 1971 dusters with the shark tooth grill.

[@nathonics]

Another one that needs a rescue. Not much wrong with it.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

agreed

[@robertlyman9789]

If that car could talk! All the high school party’s, cruising nites etc

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I wouldn't doubt it

[@harrymiller8538]

Sad it ended up in the salvage yard. Too bad when finds like this arent saved by the yards. Bet that engine will run. Just a shame!

[@harrymiller8538]

Should could be restored. Those straight sixes were tried & true motors. Maybe that 73 Duster will get saved from being scrapped!

[@seanpool8028]

Suppose it could possibly be driven out of the junkyard or towed if the junkyard let someone buy it Benny? What are your thoughts?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Possibly. That yard does sell cars

[@supertrakpak]

Why did you take the keys?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

i didnt. I threw them back in there afterwards.

[@walterbatman7949]

Cool ole ride

[@adape0884frank]

OMG this reminds of the Dodge Dart that Al Bundy owned and if only there would be a way to find out what happened to it.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I think Bundy's car was actually a Plymouth duster. but he just called it "the Dodge".

[@capricetony]

Yes, I like the 70-72 front and backs also, take the stainless wiper arms/blades !! So many people have nice cars only to have cheap, aftermarket black plastic arms that look like hell. Pretty sold car, was not deserving of the bone yard! Great channel! You’re in FL right?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Im from Florida but im in Texas now

[@santinocappellaro7468]

🏁 Hey Benny definitely high tide that's probably what's keeping people away from the car. Once again thank you for that video!! 🇺🇲🏁🏁🏁😎🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I agree that the water may have helped keep people away

[@anthonyearullo9368]

You should buy it

[@ClassicRideSociety]

The Junkyard chose to part it out. Plus ive got way too many projects already. I have no more room

[@user-wc4uh4rl3z]

Born in 1960s n yes hub caps r original 🇺🇲northern calif

[@geraldbalthis5828]

Is the Plymouth duster for sale from the junkyard

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Its being parted out. But they have been known to sell vehicles

[@josephwatson2711]

I bet that slant six still runs

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I wouldn't doubt it

[@mjg263]

Yep, hubcaps and paint are original to the car. My brother had a brand new one and it had the same scheme on it. Slant six and a torqueflight, I’ll bet of you put a battery in that thing you could drive outta there!

[@josephwatson2711]

I bet a 340 will fit right in there

[@plymouthduster225]

Do you happen to have have the contact info for this yard? I have a Duster like it and would be interested in purchasing this car or parts off of it if possible

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Crain's in Ft Worth Texas

[@robertdiehl9003]

Make a left turn and you'd slide across the seat to the passenger side. That's what my 1977 dodge aspen did back in the 80's....

[@OsbornTramain]

not if you had your seat belts on

[@markfaige9687]

I had one identical to that.

[@robertlyman9789]

Make a good sleeper!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

agreed

[@robertnovotny4588]

Benny are they selling the 73 duster,not bad for sitting ,text back if so , I've been looking for a project.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

They have it out in the yard for parts. But that place has been known to sell whole cars. Crain's in Ft worth Texas

[@marksklizovic5816]

Probably came out of some older person’s estate probably had no papers and they weren’t concerned about selling it just cleaning it property to sell it to bad because that car with that engine isn’t fast but it would run forever the slant six was known for its rugged reliability

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I could see that being the case

[@danh2134]

Good looking car , Al Bundy had taste

[@eugenepiurkowski5439]

what are they asking?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

They are parting ot out

[@OldCanadianguy953]

Please someone buy it and save it!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I'm surprised they didn't try to sell it before it went out for parts

[@johnhill8046]

Me too. In Canada you never see these in a yard. Salt got them decades ago.

[@thechriscollection9983]

Too bad this would have made a great budget cruiser for someone with just a bit of work! And a two door! Who would junk it, mind you the interior is pretty trashed.

[@sneakerfreak2002]

Maybe there’s still a regi in the glove box with the address 9764 jeopardy Lane

[@johnwilliam384]

And a red hair of Peggy's, or two.

[@cadenridgway9119]

there is a special place in hell for how ever scraped that car for a 51 year old plymouth thats not bad i really hope somebody can get it out and fix it up

[@andrewbutton5580]

Yea, its nicer than 90 percent of the ones I see sitting out here in Colorado. Somebody save it. Who throws a car like that away. There are probably 100s of guys that would have bought that for decent money. WTF

[@cadenridgway9119]

@@andrewbutton5580 more like thousands of guys would have bought that it would make a good rat rod for how original it still is

[@oliverpetroski4205]

Another cool car ends up in a junkyard because of crazy owners...

[@andrewbutton5580]

most likely either the 904 went or some small electrical problem. Both things mopar guys fix daily with half their brain tied behind their back blindfolded. somebody was stupid.

[@markbrookes6557]

This car has no business being there.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Agreed

[@corghhh]

Terrible cars, loader on in the crusher you know the drill.