Production numbers 1973 duster

[demonsteve1971]

I have a 1973 Plymouth Duster VIN VL29B3B427235. I have been reading several web sites on the internet, and none of them show the 198cid slant six as an offering for this year. I have the car currently up for sale, and now I'm wondering if I should sell it, although it probably isn't rare, it is probably a lower production car than I think it is. Can anyone help me with figures for this car? The fender tag from top to bottom reads as follows: Line 1: JY3 11 EK2, Line 2: JY3 D2Y4 000 403 118425, and Line 3: E22 D14 VL29 B3B 427235. It is also a radio delete car and from the paint codes is Honey Gold exterior and interior. It as also D14 3-speed manual on the column. It has factory rallye wheels, manual drum brakes and steering. Any help would be appreciated......thanks.....Steve

 

[sireland67]

Welcome,
There is a vin decoder tab on the home page of this site.

 

[Dartnut]

According to Galen Govier's white books, there were 248,243 total Dusters built in 1973.
214,043 for the U.S. market
14,341 198 slant 6 (VL29B)
153,255 225 slant 6 (VL39C)
46,477 318 2bbl (VL29G)
11,841 340 4 bbl (VS29H)

So i guess your car is almost as rare than a '73 340 Duster, but i bet it's not as desireable by a long shot.
This is one case where rare and desireable don't go hand in hand........

 

[Dartnut]

I forgot to mention, your car is a 198 slant six car, and yes they did obviously make them in 1973.
Personally, i would sell it unless you are very attached to it.
Holding on to it because it's rare doesn't apply in this case.
Actually, it's a cool car because it was so plainly optioned, i bet the rallye wheels were added. All rallye wheel cars in '73 were big bolt pattern, and your car would have had the small bolt pattern seeing that it had manual brakes. If it had power brakes, you got the bbp front disc brakes automatically and a bbp rear end. They did not install sbp rallye wheels on cars after the '72 model year from the factory.
Just my opinion for what it's worth, i hope it helps you in your decision.......

 

[demonsteve1971]

I forgot to mention, your car is a 198 slant six car, and yes they did obviously make them in 1973.
Personally, i would sell it unless you are very attached to it.
Holding on to it because it's rare doesn't apply in this case.
Actually, it's a cool car because it was so plainly optioned, i bet the rallye wheels were added. All rallye wheel cars in '73 were big bolt pattern, and your car would have had the small bolt pattern seeing that it had manual brakes. If it had power brakes, you got the bbp front disc brakes automatically and a bbp rear end. They did not install sbp rallye wheels on cars after the '72 model year from the factory.
Just my opinion for what it's worth, i hope it helps you in your decision.......

Thank you for your reply, you have been very helpful, and I appreciate it.:finga:

 

[Pentastarnut]

link to ad ?

 

[demonsteve1971]

link to ad ?

go to craigslist.com Houston Texas, look under "duster" you will see an ad for 1973 "Plymouth Duster Demon" for $2500.00. I don't really expect to get that much, but the car runs and has the original engine and transmission. At some point, someone put a 1972 Dart/Demon front end on it, not correct, but looks good.....I could part out this car and get way more than I really want for it, but it would be a shame to do so in case someone wanted to restore it....I do have a clear Texas title for it. The demon grille on it and the wheels alone, not to mention the seats and the engine and transmission are worth more than what I want for the whole car.....if you know of anybody who is looking, let me know.....thanks for your time

 

[Space Duster]

According to Galen Govier's white books, there were 248,243 total Dusters built in 1973.
214,043 for the U.S. market
14,341 198 slant 6 (VL29B)
153,255 225 slant 6 (VL39C)
46,477 318 2bbl (VL29G)
11,841 340 4 bbl (VS29H)

So i guess your car is almost as rare than a '73 340 Duster, but i bet it's not as desireable by a long shot.
This is one case where rare and desireable don't go hand in hand........

I wonder how 340's were space dusters in green ?

 

[Dartnut]

I wonder how 340's were space dusters in green ?

It's hard to say because other than transmission, the percentages aren't broken down by options, colors, etc.