1971 TX9 Duster 340 4-speed project
Bought this car recently from the second owner who had it since 1976. 58,759 actual miles. It has been sitting since at least 1995. I really wanted to keep this one but I just don't have it in me to spend the time required to get her back into shape. My sister recently passed away at just 56 and it has me re-evaluating everything...
It is a numbers matching 340, 4-speed car. I have not tried to start it or anything as the previous owner told me some mice took up residence in the air cleaner/carb a few years back. the engine was supposedly rebuilt about 4000-5000 miles ago but who knows since that was back in the late 80's or so. The seats were replaced in the early 80's with ones out of a junkyard 73/74. It should have the black and white plaid bench seat.
Fender Tag reads:
V8X EN2
M21 N41 N42 N45 R11 V6X
TX9 U A88 ?15 J45 J81
TX9 L1XX X9 A14 002978
E55 D21 VS29H1B18257
Have not found a broadcast sheet but since the seats were replaced in the 80's, I doubt there is one to find unless it is tucked up under the glove box liner.
Obviously, she needs restoration but is an overall solid car. The floors are decent but do need some work. The frame rails look very good. The cowl is perfect. The roof obviously has a hole from the sunroof that needs to be fixed. Quarters both need work. Doors are pretty solid and open and close perfectly. Fenders are nice but one is not correct as it does not have the cutouts for the hood pins. The hood is solid as well. The car was in a front end collision in 1975 and that is why it had the wrong grille in it and no hood pins. The previous owner never even knew the difference since that was the way he bought it in 1976. The center of the trunk (spare tire well) is rusted and that caused the gas tank to rust out. The previous owner used to start it every so often with a mini gas can in the trunk to keep it going but stopped doing so a long time ago. He also told me it was rear ended back in 1979 or 1980 and that is when the trunk lid was replaced with a "newer" one.
Since I got the car I have purchased a new reproduction sharktooth grille and headlight bezels, new headliner and replacement bows, front bumper brackets, new AMD front bumper, and fuel tank. It will come with a new driver side quarter panel skin (not full quarter). Also have correct 70/71 deck lid - rust free with the cutouts for the spoiler brackets. A real 1971 Gull Wing (needs work but is repairable) with original Mopar brackets and under trunk braces. I will also include the center section of a rust free roof to repair the hideous 1980's sunroof and a rust free spare tire well out of a parts car that is going to go with my Pink car.
This car is very rare as Black was one of the rarest colors with just 1.1% of all cars in the Valiant line being painted Formal Black. Add in the Gull Wing, Hood Pins, Chrome exhaust tips, and black side stripes and this is one very rare car. I know I will probably regret selling it but I just don't know if I have it in me to work on it like it should be.
Price is 12K
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL 34984
Bought this car recently from the second owner who had it since 1976. 58,759 actual miles. It has been sitting since at least 1995. I really wanted to keep this one but I just don't have it in me to spend the time required to get her back into shape. My sister recently passed away at just 56 and it has me re-evaluating everything...
It is a numbers matching 340, 4-speed car. I have not tried to start it or anything as the previous owner told me some mice took up residence in the air cleaner/carb a few years back. the engine was supposedly rebuilt about 4000-5000 miles ago but who knows since that was back in the late 80's or so. The seats were replaced in the early 80's with ones out of a junkyard 73/74. It should have the black and white plaid bench seat.
Fender Tag reads:
V8X EN2
M21 N41 N42 N45 R11 V6X
TX9 U A88 ?15 J45 J81
TX9 L1XX X9 A14 002978
E55 D21 VS29H1B18257
Have not found a broadcast sheet but since the seats were replaced in the 80's, I doubt there is one to find unless it is tucked up under the glove box liner.
Obviously, she needs restoration but is an overall solid car. The floors are decent but do need some work. The frame rails look very good. The cowl is perfect. The roof obviously has a hole from the sunroof that needs to be fixed. Quarters both need work. Doors are pretty solid and open and close perfectly. Fenders are nice but one is not correct as it does not have the cutouts for the hood pins. The hood is solid as well. The car was in a front end collision in 1975 and that is why it had the wrong grille in it and no hood pins. The previous owner never even knew the difference since that was the way he bought it in 1976. The center of the trunk (spare tire well) is rusted and that caused the gas tank to rust out. The previous owner used to start it every so often with a mini gas can in the trunk to keep it going but stopped doing so a long time ago. He also told me it was rear ended back in 1979 or 1980 and that is when the trunk lid was replaced with a "newer" one.
Since I got the car I have purchased a new reproduction sharktooth grille and headlight bezels, new headliner and replacement bows, front bumper brackets, new AMD front bumper, and fuel tank. It will come with a new driver side quarter panel skin (not full quarter). Also have correct 70/71 deck lid - rust free with the cutouts for the spoiler brackets. A real 1971 Gull Wing (needs work but is repairable) with original Mopar brackets and under trunk braces. I will also include the center section of a rust free roof to repair the hideous 1980's sunroof and a rust free spare tire well out of a parts car that is going to go with my Pink car.
This car is very rare as Black was one of the rarest colors with just 1.1% of all cars in the Valiant line being painted Formal Black. Add in the Gull Wing, Hood Pins, Chrome exhaust tips, and black side stripes and this is one very rare car. I know I will probably regret selling it but I just don't know if I have it in me to work on it like it should be.
Price is 12K
Located in Port Saint Lucie, FL 34984