1974 Gold Duster 88k Mileage Survivor! One Owner 39 Years. Dart Demon on 2040-cars

Year: 1974
Make: Plymouth
Drive Type: Rear wheel drive
Model: Duster
Mileage: 88,490
Trim: 2dr coupe

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

Up for your consideration is a One Owner, 1974 "Gold Duster" with a documented 88k, original miles. This is a beautiful example of a true Survivor!!  Bid to win, because cars in this condition, with this much pedigree, don't come along very often.  Very reasonable reserve on this car.  Read on......

On September 23rd, 1974, Royal R. Shepard, purchased this lot lizard new, from Bill Brown Chrysler-Plymouth in Spokane, Washington.  The car has never been registered outside of the dry climate of Eastern Washington its entire life, which has resulted in the cancer free condition you now see. I have the original sales/purchase agreement, warranty registration card, owners manual, ignition keys and factory build sheet.  In addition, I have a binder full of the most meticulous receipts I have ever seen kept over a 40 year time span!  The receipts in the photo are only the warranty repair worksheets. There are multitudes more that document every time the car went in for service. 

Looking at the exterior, you will see the car retains 100% of its factory applied paint. It is definitely old school lacquer based paint. On a ten scale, I would give the originality of the paint a conservative nine.  As for the factory quality of the paint, I would give it a 7.5, as it is evident this was a mass produced vehicle. As a hardcore Chevrolet fan, I am not impressed with Plymouths workmanship.  Notwithstanding factory blemishes, it is still very cool to see a 40 year old car bearing its original paint. 

It should noted that in November of 1990, the drivers side front fender sustained a small crease in the mid-span of the fender.  (See photo) Records indicate that Mr. Shepard took the vehicle to several body shops for estimates to repair the small dent, however the dent was never (Thankfully) repaired. You and I both know the bodywork would have been sub-par and the paint would never match the original, thus the front fender still has the small dent and its original paint, to this day.  The rest of the car is dent free. The rear quarters and the front fenders have zero cancer in them. Close up photos show there is a minute amount of surface rust just forming in very small spots about the size of a dime in isolated areas on the bottom of the quarters/fenders. Looking much like a bad rash, these are surface only and barely noticeable.

The vinyl top is in impeccable condition, with no bubbling, no suspicious rot underneath and no shrinkage around the trim where it has a tendency to pull away.  Up front, the condition of the grill speaks for itself. The chrome on the front bumper is perfect. Its straight and has no gouges and has no milky or stained finish. The rear bumper however, is beginning to have the milky haze and surface rust, so in a perfect world, it could use a re-chrome. 

Now lets get to that groovy interior!  Nothing makes a bold statement like popsicle colored interior! Wow! Chrysler really had no shame when it came to this design and I'm grateful they had the huevos to do it , because it oozes cool factor!  The best part is, its all original and its virtually mint!  One small tear in the drivers side door panel and some minor seam separation on the drivers seat are the only flaws.  (See photos for details)  Who would have thunk that white door panels and white seats would look this good after 40 years of use.  It is a testament to the superior maintenance and loving care that this car received its entire life. The headliner is also white and also flawless. This car has never been smoked in, so there is no foul stench and no discoloration from its original white. Check out the "Move for exit" decal still affixed to the seat belt harness.

Looking at the virgin dash you will see nothing but the factory installed radio and heater controls, which is as vanilla as it comes. They both function like new however.  No holes have ever been drilled in the face of the dash, or the underside for that matter.  All of the gauges work, as do the idiot lights. The dash pad is absolutely flawless with no cracks. The car is equipped with the factory optional map light, which also functions correctly. The inside hood latch works as it should, as does the E-brake handle assembly. The optional remote mirror and fender mounted turn signal indicators also work as new. The Duster is also equipped with front and rear bumper guards.  

Under the hood, the record setting, death defying, bulletproof and legendary 225 slant six, stands tall and proud! (albeit canted slightly to the left)   Cheesy jokes aside, the engine runs as smooth as a sewing machine. No clatter, no pinging, no smoke and no surprises. It should be noted that five minutes after purchasing this car, I embarked on a blind faith, 350 mile road trip over Stevens Pass, which included enduring an epic thunder and lighting storm and of course, the ensuing torrential downpour of rain. Thankfully the two speed wipers worked because I hadn't checked them before purchasing it, and man I gave them a workout!  Truth be told, I was very impressed with the Duster's ability throughout the journey. With power steering, it drove effortlessly, had no wind noise, no water leakage, no overheating, and no signs of fatigue up the long treacherous pass.  Thankfully the manual brakes never quivered descending down the 6% grade of the mountain. The moral of the story is, this car is very roadworthy!

And finally, lets have a look in the trunk shall we?  What do you see?  I'll tell you what you don't see, and that's cancer.  Ok, one teency weency spot, but that's it.  That's right, that's all original paint in there and its mind boggling how clean it is. You just cant find 'em like this anymore gentlemen. I know its not a 360, 4spd car, but hey, once its in your driveway, it can be anything you like it to be, and with such a solid foundation, that makes this car a perfect candidate for a clone or tribute of your choice.

I have several hundred photos on file, so if there is something specific you want please ask and please include an e-mail address and Ill get them to you right away. I have been buying/ selling classic cars on e-bay for nine years as a hobby/obsession and have maintained 100% feedback in doing so, so bid with confidence. Clear Washington title in hand.

Thanks and good luck.