We rebuilt my buddies 72 demon (original owner) 340 4 speed car. It was surprisingly quick. He had a collection of direct connection stuff he has horded since the 70's.
My buddy ordered his car stripe and wing delete. It has hubcaps and a bench seat 4 speed. Oh, he also got mad when it was delivered with electronic ignition! I don't know if he wanted a sleeper or if he was cheap haha!
I remember going to the Plymouth dealer with my Mom and Dad in 1971. I was 15, they where set on a Duster for Mom her first car a late bloomer just got her license being she was from Germany and never drove. There where 2 in the lot an orange 340 with the black stripes which I begged them to get, but they decided on the white Duster/Twister with black stripes 6 cylinder. That car lasted a long time, stayed in the family where my baby sister who was 5 at the time became her first car. Good memories though, this is her boyfriend now husband at our family winter getaway in upstate NY with the Duster probably mid to late 80's.
For 1970 The best bang for the buck performance wise: Big Block: Stage 1 Buick Small Block: Plymouth Duster 340 I remember looking into this one time and was really surprised that if you wanted the best quarter mile car for ‘70 for the lowest price those two cars were The ones to get the job done. You would think a 454 Chevelle or a 429SCJ Falcon Torino would be cheaper but they are not. By the time you option them out they both come in significantly more $$ then the Buick. What’s great about the Buick is all you need to do is order the stage one option on the GS 455 and you’re done. No other option box needs to be checked and you’re at the top of the heap-done. Same goes for the duster 340, two options, sure grip and 3.91s - done. Heck The duster even comes standard with rally wheels and disc brakes. Quite the bargain. And yes, that 340 will take the win overstock LT1. A drawback some might point out both of these cars would have a three speed stick standard. Both are strong boxes with good factory shifters, honestly neither car really needed an optional transmission to get the job done. Steve weim55 Colorado
Interesting, never knew that! Especially the Buick Stage 1 being less expensive than the Chevy or Ford
quite awhile back chrysler claimed the 340's were their best engineered motors right behind the hemi's . they were a great combo in the lightweight darts , valiants etc . and dependable .
Some of you know Jenna and her 12 second Buick, well her boyfriend drives this: It’s a factory block bored and stroked to 408 cubes, 620 Hp, EFI, he did it all himself. I like the interior, very classy.
The wedge option with the W2 heads is where the fun is,...my dad had a new 73 340 Duster,...friend had a 70 Wedge 4speed car with 3.91s,...my pop said that car was VERY tough to beat
yeah if i was seeking out one it would be something a like a monaco or a 66 cornett but if i happened onto one for the right price id jump. i mean id take any old car for the most part just have my ones i truly want. plenty of gm ford and amc products id rather own over it though.
