'71 Duster 340 Super Stock car

[MR. Macabre]

This is only the 2nd model I've built since getting back into the hobby after a 45 year absence, and I tried to go all out to see what my hands are still capable of. I used a combination of aftermarket parts and 2 different kits to build one of my dream cars, a '71 Duster 340 Super Stock car. As a kid I had delusions of grandeur about becoming a professional racer, and a '71 Duster was going to be my starting point. But like most people's lives getting in the way of their dreams, it never came to fruition for myself, so I'll have to build my wishlist of race cars in 1/25th scale now that I'm retired. 

So if anyone's interested, here's my first attempt at an NHRA legal race car. It's not a work of art, but it came out okay I guess. 

 

 

 

I used the back half of the chassis from the AMT '67 Chevelle kit for it's rear suspension, axle, and wheelie bars, along with it's seats, roll cage, and it's tires and wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ran the fuel line and the battery cable along the chassis into the engine compartment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to do some touch up painting before the underside was done. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to cut the sun visors off of the windshield to clear the cage, and when I did it cracked it, and since I didn't have a spare one I had to use it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you made it this far, thanks for looking. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Metaldrumm]

Nice build buddy.

[PappyD340]

Real nice build!

[slusher]

Great looking Duster!

[HankinWisconsin]

I think that came out very nicely...well done!

[Kelly]

On 12/1/2025 at 2:08 PM, MR. Macabre said:

This is only the 2nd model I've built since getting back into the hobby after a 45 year absence, and I tried to go all out to see what my hands are still capable of. I used a combination of aftermarket parts and 2 different kits to build one of my dream cars, a '71 Duster 340 Super Stock car. As a kid I had delusions of grandeur about becoming a professional racer, and a '71 Duster was going to be my starting point. But like most people's lives getting in the way of their dreams, it never came to fruition for myself, so I'll have to build my wishlist of race cars in 1/25th scale now that I'm retired. 

So if anyone's interested, here's my first attempt at an NHRA legal race car. It's not a work of art, but it came out okay I guess. 

 

 

 

I used the back half of the chassis from the AMT '67 Chevelle kit for it's rear suspension, axle, and wheelie bars, along with it's seats, roll cage, and it's tires and wheels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ran the fuel line and the battery cable along the chassis into the engine compartment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to do some touch up painting before the underside was done. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to cut the sun visors off of the windshield to clear the cage, and when I did it cracked it, and since I didn't have a spare one I had to use it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you made it this far, thanks for looking. 

 

 

 

 

 

Super cool Nice play by play pictures of the assembly and great detail 

[Mike Holland]

Hello Robert, I think you built just fine after a 45-year stretch!  Let me write, before my Uncle Sam days, a childhood buddy got me a job at a local Mopar dealership. First having a Dart Swinger (340, 4spd) then going with the Duster, 340 automatic car. Red, white interior bucket seats and AC! Bought it at cost! The 340 was a very nice motor! The boys in the shop did their magic, carb & ignition work, plus paying some extra for the trans work, shifting much quicker! They used to tune the 440s, Highway patrol cars. This sweety was quick for a small block car. The Chevy guys will not like me writing it being quicker than BB Chevelles, but just a fact. The Olds 442s were another story, though. A 4 spd. Olds did not hook well with street tires. The automatics were very torquey, but still being able to inch these out in real 1/4 mile, although the Olds top end were higher. Tons of fun in a lightweight Mopar....gotta love it!  Mike..