Finally getting to it!!! 1970 Duster 340

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Thanks Brett. I have standard 14 x 5.5 Rallyes up front and 15 x 7 in the rear. Tire sizes are 215/70-14 up front and 255/60-15 out back.
 
FJRdoc said:
Thanks Brett. I have standard 14 x 5.5 Rallyes up front and 15 x 7 in the rear. Tire sizes are 215/70-14 up front and 255/60-15 out back.
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good choice looks great! i have a 70 Dart the look of yours is perfect!
 
This was a big weekend for the Duster. During assembly, I created a couple of nicks and a chip. The worst are was located behind the right front fender and door. While I was installing the antenna base, the bracket fell down into the dog leg. I shut the open door to move around the car. Of course, the bracket landed in the gap between the door and fender. Closing the door knocked a chunk of paint along the edge and in back of the fender. I also wanted the rear valence painted where the car was attached to the rotisserie.
I spoke with Mike earlier about bringing the car out to him for the repairs. This was the weekend to do it. Since I don't own a trailer or a vehicle with a hitch, i figured that I would drive the car out to Mike and Kenny for them to work their magic. I've been tinkering with tuning the car and I thought that she was in pretty good shape for the trip (despite the fact that I probably logged less than a hundred mile on the old girl tooling around town).
I loaded up the paint, tools, vital auto fluids and a fire extinguisher and hit the road solo around 3 AM Friday. I must admit that I was a bit anxious about the trip, but I figured it would be the car's trial by fire. The trip out went well. I ran into a little rain near Youngstown and winds were gusty but I rolled into Mike's shop around 10:30. Mike's body man, Kenny, started working on my car Friday night into Saturday morning. By 10 AM all repairs were finished and I was back on the road to Lancaster, PA.
The trip totaled 732 miles round trip. The old girl ran and handled like a champ! I varied MPH from 55-75. Calculated MPG was 13.3 on the homeward leg. I love the Firm Feel Stage 3 steering box upgrade and the 1 inch torsion bars. Handling is night and day better than with the factory front suspension.
I have the utmost respect for Mike and Kenny. They have been a vital part in helping me make my car beautiful. When I first started my project, I had a vision of how I wanted my car to look and perform.....I'm happy to say that my vision has become reality.

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FJRdoc said:
This was a big weekend for the Duster. During assembly, I created a couple of nicks and a chip. The worst are was located behind the right front fender and door. While I was installing the antenna base, the bracket fell down into the dog leg. I shut the open door to move around the car. Of course, the bracket landed in the gap between the door and fender. Closing the door knocked a chunk of paint along the edge and in back of the fender. I also wanted the rear valence painted where the car was attached to the rotisserie.
I spoke with Mike earlier about bringing the car out to him for the repairs. This was the weekend to do it. Since I don't own a trailer or a vehicle with a hitch, i figured that I would drive the car out to Mike and Kenny for them to work their magic. I've been tinkering with tuning the car and I thought that she was in pretty good shape for the trip (despite the fact that I probably logged less than a hundred mile on the old girl tooling around town).
I loaded up the paint, tools, vital auto fluids and a fire extinguisher and hit the road solo around 3 AM Friday. I must admit that I was a bit anxious about the trip, but I figured it would be the car's trial by fire. The trip out went well. I ran into a little rain near Youngstown and winds were gusty but I rolled into Mike's shop around 10:30. Mike's body man, Kenny, started working on my car Friday night into Saturday morning. By 10 AM all repairs were finished and I was back on the road to Lancaster, PA.
The trip totaled 732 miles round trip. The old girl ran and handled like a champ! I varied MPH from 55-75. Calculated MPG was 13.3 on the homeward leg. I love the Firm Feel Stage 3 steering box upgrade and the 1 inch torsion bars. Handling is night and day better than with the factory front suspension.
I have the utmost respect for Mike and Kenny. They have been a vital part in helping me make my car beautiful. When I first started my project, I had a vision of how I wanted my car to look and perform.....I'm happy to say that my vision has become reality.

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Now these are the kinds of body shop stories we love! Hats off to Mike & Kenny for doing what they do! Enjoy that car Kevin!
 
you have a beautiful car...congrats on the resto!!!! i was wondering where i can buy a license plate like that for my 70 Duster?
 
There was a company that made front plates like the one that I have on the Duster. Unfortunately, I think they closed. I sometimes pop over on For C Bodies only and I noticed that another member had one on his car. I contacted him and he told me that he made his from Plymouth advertising from 1970. I asked if he could make one for me and we struck a deal. I don't know if he would be interested in make any more. I can try to track down his info and PM it to you if you're interested.
As the Duster resto chapter winds down, another resto story is beginning. My brother has a 1967 Barracuda coupe that he got as a Christmas present some time ago. It's a 273 2 barrel, auto, bench seat car. My bro doesn't have a garage at his house. He lives in MD and the car is up here in Lancaster. Now that my car is finished, I told him that I would start to work on his car. Looks like we will be making a trip out to Mike Ross this weekend to deliver the car. We will strip her down and bring everything back to Lanc except the body. Mike and Kenny will get to work on the body and I will start on component resto and engine rebuild. Looks like time for another thread!
 
Hi gang. I have some exciting news to share with my fellow FABO members. I received an invitation to display my Duster at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega AL in October of this year! They will be doing a Rapid Transit System display in the Concourse Dome of the museum. I can't tell you all how excited I am about this invitation. Maybe I'll even get a chance to see Ricky Bobby :lol: Here's a little video clip about the event.

Dome Concours Registration | International Motorsports Hall of Fame
 
thats soooo cool, enjoy all that hard work, ive used your car as an example many times during my Duster build
 
Wow, that's fantastic! You've worked very hard and your dedication is paying off in spades. Thanks again for letting me help a little.
 
Thanks Leanna. I really appreciate everybody who helped me with my restoration. Mopar people are the best!
 
Well gang it's getting closer to the big show at Talladega. I got my car placement assignment today. The Duster will be one of the first six to be parked in spot. It will be exciting to hear comments on my car. This will be her first official coming out party! I haven't participated in any local shows.
I'm in the process of purchasing a 24' trailer for the trip. It will also double as storage for the car when my brother's Cuda comes back from Mike's shop. He's finished with bodywork and paint on the Cuda. It will soon be time to go get her in Ohio and get her back to my house for assembly.
I have to admit that I have been dragging my heels on component restoration. I've been sidetracked with reloading, shooting and getting ready for PA deer season. A lot of fun things are going on around the Miller household. We have a new (5 month old) grand daughter, Josie, that my wife and I have been loving dearly. Life is good for us.
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She sure is a sweetie. As a single parent, I loved raising my 3 children but I have to say that grandchildren take it to a whole other level.
 
mygasser said:
tell me about it, we currently have 12 grandchildren from our 5 kids :thumbsup:
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We also have 5 kids and 12 grandkids, with another one on the way.
The 6 year old granddaughter is my side-kick she goes everywhere with me.
 
The wife and I are getting ready to head down to Talladega Wed. AM. Gary and I located a one time used 24' V nose enclosed car trailer in Annapolis on Craigslist and I pulled the trigger! I got the Duster loaded in it on Sat. and she is strapped in securely. I'm gathering supplies that I might need for the show. This is all new territory for me. We're looking forward to our Talladega adventure. More to come as the adventure unfolds.
 
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