73 Plymouth duster question

Myron Piatek · 04-28-2010, 02:48 PM

Dart Sports and Dusters

1973 - Both had "normal" bumper brackets front and rear.

1974 - Both had only the rear bumpers with the 5mph shock absorber bumper brackets.

1975 - Both had the shock absorber bumper brackets at both ends.

Not sure if there were any mid-model year changes.
The Swinger/Scamp/Custom, etc. may have started a year earlier with the 5 mph bumper brackets than the Dart Sports and Dusters.

Again, I guess it depends on the tech guy.

Jim, I have to agree with Terry. Dusters, Demons and Dart Sports were made with 108" wheelbases. There are always production tolerences, which may be why they allow a 3/4" variance, if I remember correctly.

From the side, it is difficult to tell the difference between the cars even if you know the little things to look for. But as has been discussed, they had major changes in grilles and taillights in most years and certainly between Dodge and Plymouth versions of the a-body. It's been talked about here before where NHRA had tossed people for not having the correct emblems on the car, dashes, seats, etc. They have slacked off some, but not to the point of using different year or model body parts.

04-28-2010, 02:48 PM	#28
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: 73 Plymouth duster question Dart Sports and Dusters 1973 - Both had "normal" bumper brackets front and rear. 1974 - Both had only the rear bumpers with the 5mph shock absorber bumper brackets. 1975 - Both had the shock absorber bumper brackets at both ends. Not sure if there were any mid-model year changes. The Swinger/Scamp/Custom, etc. may have started a year earlier with the 5 mph bumper brackets than the Dart Sports and Dusters. Again, I guess it depends on the tech guy. Jim, I have to agree with Terry. Dusters, Demons and Dart Sports were made with 108" wheelbases. There are always production tolerences, which may be why they allow a 3/4" variance, if I remember correctly. From the side, it is difficult to tell the difference between the cars even if you know the little things to look for. But as has been discussed, they had major changes in grilles and taillights in most years and certainly between Dodge and Plymouth versions of the a-body. It's been talked about here before where NHRA had tossed people for not having the correct emblems on the car, dashes, seats, etc. They have slacked off some, but not to the point of using different year or model body parts.