1973 Plymouth Duster

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