In the world of muscle cars, the Plymouth Duster is often overlooked due to its lack of high-performance big-block V8 engines. However, the 1970 Duster 340 proved to be a force to be reckoned with, earning its reputation as a “giant-slaying” muscle car. Its lightweight design allowed it to compete with more powerful midsize rigs on the drag strip.
Today, Duster enthusiasts continue to race these compacts, often equipping them with beefed-up engines. The 1971 Duster featured here is one such car. While it may appear stock at first glance, this Duster is far from ordinary. Underneath its hood lies a custom 500-cubic-inch monster, surpassing the power of any Chrysler V8 from the golden era. With this engine, the Duster can cover a quarter-mile in less than ten seconds, a significant improvement over the stock 1970 Duster 340.
But what sets this Duster apart from the rest is its rare sunroof option. While sunroofs were already uncommon on Mopar vehicles, this Duster features a canvas fold-back roof, a feature only available on Plymouth Dusters and Dodge Demons in 1971 and 1972. The exact number of units produced is unknown, but estimates suggest that fewer than 300 were made for both model years.
It’s important to note that this 1971 Duster is not a factory sunroof car, nor is it an authentic 1971 model. Originally a 1970 Duster, the owner transformed its exterior to resemble a 1971 version and added the fold-back roof himself. Despite being a clone, the owner’s attention to detail is commendable, making it difficult to distinguish from an original.
While the sunroof may not be original to this Duster, it was sourced from a 1971 Duster, likely salvaged from a junkyard. The owner is transparent about the modifications and does not claim it to be an authentic sunroof car. Nevertheless, the car has garnered significant attention over the years, with numerous offers to purchase it.
Witness the incredible performance of this Duster as it blazes through the quarter-mile in the video below.
