How much did a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 cost new?
The 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 cost about $2,700 when new. The exact sticker varied with engine choice, transmission, and options, but most configurations landed in the low- to mid-$2,000s, with the performance-oriented 340 package nudging prices toward the upper end of that range.
Pricing snapshot from 1970
Prices on the window sticker depended on the engine, transmission, and optional equipment. The following breakdown captures typical ranges and common configurations seen on dealer sheets.
- Base Duster (no 340 engine): typically in the low-to-mid $2,000s
- Duster 340 upgrade (340 V8): adds several hundred dollars over the base price
- Transmission choice: 4-speed manual vs. automatic (TorqueFlite): adds a few hundred dollars depending on configuration
- Popular options (power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, vinyl top, etc.): can add hundreds more, depending on combination
- Regional variations and dealer incentives could push the sticker price higher or lower
In practice, the sticker on a Duster 340 could land around the mid-$2,000s, with fully loaded or more highly optioned examples approaching or reaching the $3,000 mark.
Context for collectors and today’s market
Today, the Plymouth Duster 340 is valued by collectors for its A-body compact muscle-car heritage and its sign-off as a quintessential early-1970s Mopar performance model. Values in the modern market vary widely based on condition, originality, numbers-matching status, and documentation, with pristine, well-documented examples typically commanding premium at auction and in classic-car listings.
Key factors that influence current value
Condition, originality, whether the car retains its original engine and drivetrain, documentation such as a pedigree or factory build sheet, and authenticity of options all play major roles in modern valuations. Rarity and the presence of the original window sticker can also significantly affect price.
Summary
To recap, the 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 carried an original price around $2,700, with variations driven by engine, transmission, and options. While the exact sticker differed by region and dealer, the mode of pricing put most Duster 340s in the low- to mid-$2,000s, occasionally nudging toward $3,000 for well-equipped examples. Today, those cars are sought after by collectors, and value hinges on condition, originality, and provenance.
How much is a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $32,100 for a 1970 Plymouth Valiant Duster 340 in good condition with average spec. What is the highest selling price of a 1970 Plymouth Valiant Duster 340? The highest selling price of a 1970 Plymouth Valiant Duster 340 at auction over the last three years was $104,500.
How much horsepower does a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 have?
The 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 was a lightweight, affordable street machine that punched far above its class. Based on the compact Valiant platform, it combined a sleek fastback body with a potent 340 cubic inch small-block V8 producing 275 hp (gross).
How much did a brand new car cost in 1970?
The average cost of a new car in 1970 was around $3,543. This price fluctuated slightly during the year, with some sources citing figures like $3,556 for 1969 and a dip to $3,543 for 1970 before rising again in 1971. Other sources list the average cost as being slightly lower, around $3,430.
- Average price: Approximately $3,543
- Price variation: Some sources report a slightly lower average of around $3,430.
- Year-over-year change: This represented a slight decrease of $14 from the 1969 average of $3,556.
How fast is the Plymouth Duster 340 in the quarter mile?
When Car Life Magazine tested a 1970 Duster 340, they found the car would run 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds, and reach the end of the quarter-mile in 14.72 seconds, at 94.24 mph. Sales totals were listed at 21,799, and the 340-equipped Dusters caught many full-fledged muscle cars off guard in street races.
