1970 Plymouth Duster

[69NovaYenko]

There has been a lot of buzz about the reissue of the MPC '71 Duster. All this buzz has began to make me wonder if any of the resin makes cast the first year Duster...1970. Or are there conversion parts to turn the 1971 Duster into a 1970. My first cusion had a 1970 Duster 340 and I have have an intrest in replicating that specific model year of the car.

Edited April 25, 2014 by 69NovaYenko

[Sport Suburban]

Their were a few that cast a standard grill for the 71 Duster. It's the non shark tooth one that the 70 Duster used. I don't know of anyone who makes the 70 decals currently. I know that The Last Detail did offer a set with the full sheet that included the 71 and 72 Demon and also a set for The Sizzler plus a gold set of 71 Duster 340. They are now super rare and I have not seen a set in awhile. I have a set and plan to make a 70 with them. The Last Detail also offered a Demon set of decals only and they show up every now and then.

I have not researched the differences in the interiors between the two years yet, but wonder what was changed. I have a 72 Duster 340 project started based on the 71 kit. That project has a lot more body work to it than I thought. It's almost ready for paint and I should have done the 70 first.

[1972coronet]

Cosmetic Differences , 1970-1971 Duster :

1.) Upholstery patterns (including interior door panels)

2.) "Generic" grille

3.) Aforementioned 340 model's stripes

4.) "Flat" decklid (i.e. , no centre highpoint-crease)

1970-Specific Duster 340 Items :

1.) Carter AVS carb

2.) Non-assist disc brakes , standard

3.) Exhaust tips were turned-down (i.e. , no Bright Exhaust Tips)

Converting / backdating the 1971 model to 1970 specs --and doing so *correctly*-- would be an undertaking .

I wonder why MPC (or even AMT) didn't tool-up a 1970 Duster promo / kit ? One would think that Plymouth would want to promote its newest "Junior Supercar" !

[Alan]

The buzz has been about the possible reissue of the MPC 71 Demon ......

[Sport Suburban]

I missed the MPC part and was thinking of the AMT 71 Duster 340. Will the 71 Demon actually re released? It was announced quite some time ago. Plus was a reissue announced a few years back then cancelled.

[Alan]

It is supposed to be, vendors are taking pre orders on EBay ......

[69NovaYenko]

Cosmetic Differences , 1970-1971 Duster :

1.) Upholstery patterns (including interior door panels)

2.) "Generic" grille

3.) Aforementioned 340 model's stripes

4.) "Flat" decklid (i.e. , no centre highpoint-crease)

1970-Specific Duster 340 Items :

1.) Carter AVS carb

2.) Non-assist disc brakes , standard

3.) Exhaust tips were turned-down (i.e. , no Bright Exhaust Tips)

Converting / backdating the 1971 model to 1970 specs --and doing so *correctly*-- would be an undertaking .

I wonder why MPC (or even AMT) didn't tool-up a 1970 Duster promo / kit ? One would think that Plymouth would want to promote its newest "Junior Supercar" !

Thanks for the detailed cosmetic differences list. From the photos I have located it appears that the taillights and body side markers are the same on both the `70 and '71 models. The difference between the two model years are the front grills. I'm I off base?

'70 Duster

71 Duster

Edited April 26, 2014 by 69NovaYenko

[Sport Suburban]

My research on the body's was that the 70 and 71 used all the same steel. The grills are different and the trunk peak showed up on 72 and later models. That yellow 71 has a 72 and later trunk on it.

[gtx6970]

non sharktooth grilles are 'almost' the same between 1970 , 1971 and 1972 , if I remember right the differences were color schemes were different

Body sheetmetal is the same between 70 and 71

decklids with the peak showed up on some late 1971 cars , and I think some 1972 cars had a smooth decklid

door panels are 1970 only

I think seat patterns were the same between 70 and 71 but there were color differences that were model year only

Edited April 26, 2014 by gtx6970

[69NovaYenko]

My research on the body's was that the 70 and 71 used all the same steel. The grills are different and the trunk peak showed up on 72 and later models. That yellow 71 has a 72 and later trunk on it.

non sharktooth grilles are 'almost' the same between 1970 , 1971 and 1972 , if I remember right the differences were color schemes were different

Body sheetmetal is the same between 70 and 71

decklids with the peak showed up on some late 1971 cars , and I think some 1972 cars had a smooth decklid

door panels are 1970 only

I think seat patterns were the same between 70 and 71 but there were color differences that were model year only

Let see if I'm undersatndig this correctly.

As far as "outward cosmetic appeareance" is concerned to convert the `71 Duster kit to a '70 Duster I would need to scrounge up a correct '70 non-shark tooth front grill.

Remove the peak on the rear trunk decklid and hood.

Additinally, ,the interior door panel patterns were different between the '70 and '71 Duster but th seat style and upholstery pattern were the same.

Edited April 27, 2014 by 69NovaYenko

[1972coronet]

1970 Valiant / Duster Trim refernece : http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/dealerships/1970ColorAndTrimPlymouth-05.shtml

1971 Valiant / Duster Trim reference : http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/dealerships/1971ColorAndTrimPlymouth-05.shtml

There are obvious differences between the two model years ; even the interior door panels are different .

I also forgot to mention that , the Rallye Wheels' centre cap's colour changed from 1970 - 1971 :

1970 = Light Argent Metallic (similar to Astrotone , but smooth)

1971 = Dark Argent ( similar to cast iron in colour )

I'd also like to plug Missing Link Resins new 1970 Plymouth 14" Deluxe Wheel Covers . They're NICE !

Edited April 27, 2014 by 1972coronet

[Rob Hall]

I have a resin '70 grille I got somewhere years ago..may have been AF/X N Scale resin. I think without the center emblem, it would work also as a base '71 and '72 grille.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Rob Hall

[69NovaYenko]

I have a resin '70 grille I got somewhere years ago..may have been AF/X N Scale resin. I think without the center emblem, it would work also as a base '71 and '72 grille.

If I`m correct AF/X N Scale resin is out of business...are there any other options out there for getting a correct '70 grill?

[gtx6970]

If I`m correct AF/X N Scale resin is out of business...are there any other options out there for getting a correct '70 grill?

AFXnScale was bought out by rdsxfan on ebay.

I've bought several items for them with ZERO issues .

But I do not know if they got the duster grille mold in the deal as I have not seen them selling any.

I have several of the grilles I bought before the deal went down , I might consider cutting one loose but not any more than that.

Try the above 1st to see if they can help.

ps, just ck'd the ones I have and they have the plymouth flag emblem in them

Edited April 29, 2014 by gtx6970

[realgone58]

Harts Parts does one with the Plymouth emblem. Shouldn't be too hard to razor the emblem out and re-scribe the grille lines.

[1930fordpickup]

They added the peak in the deck lid because the deck lid would dent very easy . I worked with a guy that told me about how his brother dented his 70 the first week he had it, Went back to the dealer for them to fix. He said they changed that for the 71 model. That was a long time ago so he could be wrong about the year of change.