Check Out RB's Mopar Muscle Car Restoration!
When RB purchased his 1973 Plymouth Duster in October 1977 in Maryland, the words Mopar muscle car restoration were never even heard of. At the time KB had lost his 1971 Dodge Charger R/T and was driving his 1971 Plymouth Cuda 440/6. So it was natural for RB to look for a Mopar to take advantage of big brother's expertise with the product line.

RB used the car as a daily driver and ran in trophy classes on the weekends. We had lots of fun being part of the legal racing scene. He eventually purchased a 1972 Plymouth Duster, too. Like most people though, real life intervened and the muscle car was put aside for more reasonable transportation for a family. (Trying not to say mini-van here.)
In 1995, RB made the decision to restore the '73 Duster. He had begun collecting parts in the early 90s. This was years before companies like Year One were making new quarter panels, hoods, fenders, you name it, for people to purchase. It was very hard to find existing parts for a Mopar muscle car restoration that were in good enough condition to use.
The 340 small block was bored .030 but is otherwise stock.

The interior is all brand new Year One. If you are interested in finding excellent products for your
mopar muscle car restoration
, or any domestic brand restoration, be sure and check out Year One's website.

After an extensive search RB managed to find full quarter panels that weren't eaten up with rust to replace the originals. (Rust on the quarter panels around the wheel wells is a common issue with 30 year old muscle cars.) The body was then repainted the original K6 Autumn Bronze color and new 340 stripes applied.
We've seen many Plymouth Duster or other Mopar muscle car restorations at car shows that cost the owners lots of money. Good old sweat equity and taking the time to shop around can keep the cost down.
The work was completed in August 1999...and it still looks great today!

For those of you who love numbers (and those who look for classic muscle cars to buy and restore love numbers!), the VIN decodes as follows:
VIN: VS29H3B3XXXXX
YEAR: 1973
MODEL: Duster 340
BODY: 2 door sports hardtop
PLANT: Hamtramck
ENGINE: 340 4bbl (LA Series)
The Fender Tag decodes as follows:
Code = Description
E55 = 340-4 Barrel 69-73
D21 = Heavy Duty 4-Speed Manual Transmission
VS29
V = Plymouth Valiant / Duster
S = Special
29 = 2 Door Sports Hardtop
H3B
H = 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
3 = 1973
B = Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
380275 = Sequence Number '380275'
C6XW = Trim Grade/Style/Color
C = Charger
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
X = Black
000 = Upper Door Frame: Full Door Panel
208 = Date Built: 2 / 08 / 1973
326133 = Order Number: 326133
L25 = Roof Type OR Color: Trunk Compartment Light
GK6 = Dark Bronze Metallic
N76 = Coolant Recovery System
GK6 = Dark Bronze Metallic
U = Built to Specifications for USA Order
B41 = Front Disc Brakes Some Yrs. Power
C56 = Bucket Seats 1972 up
G37 = Left Hand Remote, Right Hand Manual Chrome Mirrors
L31 = Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
M21 = Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M25 = Wide Sill Molding
N41 = Dual Exhaust w/o Tips
N42 = Chrome Dual Exhaust Tips
R11 = Music Master Radio AM
V6W = White Longitude Sports Stripe
V8W = Transverse Stripe - White
26 = 26 in. Radiator
EN2 = End of Codes Assembly Line 2

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