1971 Plymouth Duster

1971 Plymouth Duster

1971 PLYMOUTH DUSTER CARRIES OVER
The Plymouth Duster in its first year, that Dodge badge-engineered it into the Dodge Demon, although it didn’t sell as well as the Duster. In a classic case of ”Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke”Plymouth wisely left well enough alone. Changes on the 1971 were subtle and few. The “Valiant” name badge was eliminated for the first time, so that only “Duster” emblems remained. The “Plymouth” emblem was also removed from the front grille.

1971 PLYMOUTH DUSTER MODELS
The Duster 340 remained with the 340 small block V8 being the top engine for the entire Duster line. A new model was introduced called the Duster Twister, which gave the look of the Duster 340 (blacked-out hood, big stripes, shark-tooth grille) to non-340 Dusters. The came with either the 225 Slant Six or a 318 small block V8. Dual (non-functional) hood scoops and a rear spoiler were optional, as were high-back bucket seats and dual exhaust. Chrysler, always a leader in engineering, pioneered the use of electronic breaker-less ignition systems for production cars, starting in late 1971, when it appeared on the 340.


1971 Plymouth Duster SPECIFICATIONS

Model

Body style

Model#/Body#

Production

Price when new

Wheelbase

Length

Width

Track, front

Track, rear

Tire size

Weight

ENGINE OPTIONS

Slant Six

Slant Six

LA-small block V8

LA-small block V8

PERFORMANCE

275hp 340V8

1971 Duster

2-dr Coupe

FV2 / VS29

173,592

$2,313

108.0 in

188.4 in

71.0 in

57.5 in

55.6 in

E60-14

2,825 lbs

198ci OHV I-6

225ci OHV I-6

318ci OHV V8

Zero-to-60 =

1971 Duster 340

2-dr Coupe

FV2 / VS29

12,886

$2,703

108.0 in

188.4 in

71.0 in

57.5 in

55.6 in

E60-14

3,140 lbs

340ci OHV V8

6.2 sec

125hp @ 4400rpm/180lb/ft @ 2000rpm

145hp @ 4000rpm/215lb/ft @ 2400rpm

230hp @ 4400rpm/320lb/ft @ 2000rpm

275hp @ 5000rpm/340lb/ft @ 3200rpm

1/4-mile = 14.7 sec @ 94mph