Lot 275: Plymouth Duster Two-Door Hardtop Custom

The 1971 Duster 340 was the most powerful of the Valiant/Duster series available. The 340 engine was based on the LA-series small block of which the ultimate extension was the 360 cubic inch monster. Modern machining and materials technology make it possible for the smaller 340 block to take advantage of its slightly larger bore with a 360 crank to create a 372 cubic inch monster. That combination is the basis of this thoughtfully modified custom, Dust 'ya created by Romeo Furio. Featured in many magazines, its subtle presentation, high quality construction, sophisticated configuration and largely stock body panels set Dust 'ya apart from other customs. It's the kind of presentation which is calculated to appeal to an experienced builder/owner of similar cars: a little old school with the best of 21st century components, highly developed, meticulously fitted and fastidiously finished. Painted Manic Mango with matte black hood and side stripe, it has a full Red Zone cage and subframe connectors for safety and also to reinforce the chassis for the extra power and performance of the 372 stroker engine with electronically controlled port fuel injection and the strains of quick shifts with the Tremec TKO 5-speed manual transmission. The suspension is beefed up with tubular control arms, KYB shocks, heavy duty Mopar torsion bars and Eaton leaf springs. Furio didn't neglect the brakes either, installing Baer front brakes with 2-piston PBR front calipers on 13 rotors and PBR single-piston rear calipers on 12 rotors. The wheels are Budnik Gasser FX items, 17x7 front and 18x9 rear. The interior is completely and professionally trimmed with custom seats, covers and door panels by Clint Sharp. Particularly notable is the stock style instrument panel fitted with a beautiful set of Auto Meter carbon fiber gauges with a custom-built speedometer in the original shape and location and a column mounted tach. Someone spent a lot of time on the instruments and it shows. Reggie Jackson said, I bought it for the look of the car, all the hand fabrication and the beautifully formed and fitted details like the polished stainless steel brake and fuel lines. The Budnick wheels, which look like old style spindle wheels, look great. I own it for the way it was built, the details, workmanship, fabrication and the choice of period-style color. How I got it was funny. It was in Arizona and about ten guys, all real car guys, were gathered around admiring it and trying to buy it. I got it, and I still like it a lot. This is a nice street rod that's not run of the mill. It shows class, quality and attention to detail and it drives, steers and rides well. It's not loud, either. This is a quality, creative, attractive car that hits lots of hot buttons, including several that Reggie Jackson cheerfully acknowledges having.