1973 Plymouth Duster
1973 PLYMOUTH DUSTER CHANGES & UPGRADES
Lots of changes took place in ’73. Following the cue of its platform-mate the Valiant, the Duster got a new hood, front grille, front fenders, front and rear bumpers and tail lights. The new style tail lights took on a surface-mounted appearance, in contrast to the former flush-mounted style. The new tail lights were trimmed out in chrome and continued as is through the 1976 model year. The overly-complex and expensive Kelsey-Hayes 4-piston front disk brake calipers for swapped for simpler, cheaper single-piston calipers, now standard on 318-equipped cars and above, and all 340s also came with power assist standard. Of course, both were optional on all Dusters. Wheel stud patterns were changed from 5-lugs in 4 inches, to 5 in 4.5 inches on all but the 225 Slant-Six cars. V8 cars got a new 8.25” rear end and front wheel bearing and spindle diameters were increased on all cars. A steel sunroof was offered for the first time as an option, and rear window defroster-duty ceased being done by a blower, and became an electric grid type.
1973 Plymouth Duster SPECIFICATIONS
Model
Body style Model#/Body# Production Wheelbase Length Width Track, front Track, rear Tire size Weight ENGINE OPTIONS 198ci OHV I-6 225ci OHV I-6 318ci OHV V8 340ci OHV V8 (340 Duster-only) PERFORMANCE 275hp 340V8 |
1973 Duster
2-dr Coupe FV2 / VS29 249,243 108.0 in 188.4 in 71.0 in 57.5 in 55.6 in E60-14 2,825 lbs 95 hp @ 4400 rpm 105 hp @ 4000 rpm 150 hp @ 4000 rpm 240 hp @ 4800 rpm Zero-to-60 = 6.6 sec |
1973 Duster 340
2-dr Coupe FV2 / VS29 15,731 108.0 in 188.4 in 71.0 in 57.5 in 55.6 in E60-14 3,140 lbs 150 lb/ft @ 1600 rpm 185 lb/ft @ 1600 rpm 265 lb/ft @ 2000 rpm 295 lb/ft @ 3600 rpm 1/4-mile = 14.9 sec @ 90 mph |