Mike Recker

1972 Plymouth Duster

In October of 1997, I looked through the ABQ Journal car ads as I automatically did each weekend. What was unusual this time was an ad for a 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 that was advertised in the regular Autos for Sale section, not the Classic Cars section. I think this is what saved me from someone else spotting and buying the car before I did. I went to play tennis first but I kept thinking I should check it out. I'd only driven a 4 speed car once or twice but I went and test drove it down Central in ABQ.

I wasn't really looking for another Duster because I already had a Gold Duster and wanted a Challenger. I wasn't sure it was a real 340 car or the correct engine. I gave the owner a deposit anyway to hold it until Sunday. Luckily I did because other lookers wanted to either tub it and make a race car out of it or buy it for their too young son. Even luckier, I was able to get fellow Mopar Muscle Club of NM club member Chris Johnson to come take a look at it with me, because back then I didn't know as much about 340 cars.

Turns it out, it has the original numbers matching 340 engine including original Carter ThermoQuad, manifolds, distributor, etc., and 4 speed transmission. It has the correct Basin Street Blue paint color with white interior, bucket seats, Hurst shifter, white door panels and armrests. This car was ordered with no power steering or power brakes and was bought at Lloyd McKee Dodge in Albuquerque in November of 1971. This car has never broken down and now it's time to treat her to a nice engine rebuild.