1972 Plymouth Duster 340

Compact performance powered by Chrysler 340 four-barrel LA V8.

1972 Plymouth Duster photographed with a 340-presented engine bay; the VIN and build records, not the visible decal, establish original 340 identity

Factory model Duster 340 two-door coupe

Engine 340 four-barrel V8, 240 SAE net hp and 290 lb-ft

Dimensions 108-inch wheelbase; 188.4 inches long and 71.6 inches wide

Reported production 15,681 cars; conflicting secondary totals remain an explicit research limit

Story

1972 Plymouth Duster 340

The 1972 Duster 340 kept Plymouth's compact fastback formula focused: a 340 four-barrel V8, floor-shift three-speed manual, heavy-duty suspension, dual exhaust, special grille, tape stripes, E70 tires, and an 8 3/4-inch rear axle were all part of the factory performance model. The exact-year brochure rates the lower-compression engine at 240 SAE net horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, with electronic ignition standard.

Buyers could substitute an A833 four-speed or TorqueFlite automatic and add power front disc brakes, power steering, Rallye road wheels, Sure-Grip, a sunroof, bucket seats, or the Tuff steering wheel. Plymouth also offered several bench and bucket-seat trim combinations, so one correct-looking interior is not universal.

The identity starts with a 1972 Duster 340 VIN pattern and should continue through the fender tag, broadcast sheet, engine and transmission evidence, rear-axle records, paint, and trim. Stripes, a 340 air-cleaner decal, a hood treatment, or a replacement engine do not establish how a particular car was built. Published production and base-price totals conflict, so the page keeps the strongest reviewed figures attributed and leaves the unresolved factory schedules visible as research limits.

Exact-year Duster 340 front three-quarter view retained for the grille, lamps, hood, fenders, 340 side graphics, wheel covers, glass, bumpers, and stance; paint and current condition remain specific to the photographed car.JOHN LLOYD via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Base MSRP $2,728

1972 Plymouth Duster 340 two-door coupe (1972)
Hemmings-reported base price excluding options and fees; conflicting secondary figures remain disclosed as a gap.
1971 AMC Hornet SC/360 or 1972 Plymouth Duster 340
Other price $3,385

As-equipped total for VIN VS29H2B357503 (1972)
Exact-car window-sticker total reported in the 2025 Bring a Trailer archive; not a base MSRP.
19k-mile 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 four-speed
Other price $3,567

As-equipped total on the documented original order featured by Hot Rod (1972)
Exact original-order total; the later recreation discussed in the article is not treated as the original car.
Greetings from the grave: 1972 Plymouth Duster

Market Observations

Auction sale $47,300

May 14, 2026 · Mecum Indianapolis
VIN VS29H2B298151, 340/automatic export car with a comprehensive rebuild, registry letter, fender tag, and broadcast-sheet copy. · restored · good Completed sale; source-described rebuild and aftermarket tachometer are retained, while export sequence and originality claims remain consignor context.
1972 Plymouth Duster 340 export car, Indy 2026
Auction sale $41,800

Mar 21, 2026 · Mecum Glendale
VIN VS29H2B396114, 340/automatic, restored presentation with non-factory color context. · modified · good Completed sale; consignor matching-number claims and the paint presentation are not reused as factory-spec evidence.
1972 Plymouth Duster 340, Glendale 2026
Auction sale $52,000

Feb 10, 2025 · Bring a Trailer
VIN VS29H2B357503, 19k indicated miles, 340/A833, Basin Street Blue, with broadcast sheet and window sticker. · survivor · good Localized engine-bay and wheel-well repainting plus replacement shocks are retained in the condition context.
19k-mile 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 four-speed
Auction sale $22,000

Jan 11, 2025 · Mecum Kissimmee
VIN VS29H2B361076 with a 408/453-hp stroker V8, automatic transmission, and custom street/strip restoration. · modified · good Completed sale; retained as an explicitly modified comparator and never as stock-engine evidence.
1972 Plymouth Duster 340, Kissimmee 2025

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

1972 Duster 340 output 240 SAE net hp at 4,800 rpm and 290 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm · Standard engine in the 1972 Plymouth Duster 340 · engine assembly / specification
Compression and exhaust 8.5:1 compression, single-snorkel intake, and dual exhaust · 1972 Duster 340 factory specification · engine assembly / specification
Forged-to-cast crankshaft production change Cast crankshaft assembly 3751162 replaced the forged crank on April 11, 1972 at engine serial HM340R-3911-8000; identify it by sharp counterweight corners and raised CFD letters on the number-four counterweight · All 1972 340 CID engines at and after the factory cutoff; the cast and forged assemblies are not directly interchangeable because the cast system requires matched external-balance parts · crankshaft / part number · Engine serial and number-four crankshaft counterweight
Cast-crank vibration damper Damper 3751160, marked Use with 340 Cast Crank Only on its front or reverse side · Matched external-balance damper for the cast-crank 1972 340 system · harmonic balancer / part number · Front or reverse face of the vibration damper
Cast-crank matched balance parts Torque converter 3681641, manual-transmission flywheel 3681639, and short engine 3751163 · Matched parts for the cast-crank 1972 340 system; the converter uses large balance weights and the flywheel uses a balance hole · other / part number
Electronic ignition Chrysler electronic ignition system · Standard on the 1972 Duster 340 · ignition / specification
Four-barrel carburetion Carter ThermoQuad context in the reviewed surviving-car reference · 1972 340 four-barrel; verify exact carburetor number and date on the individual engine · carburetor / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission 3-speed fully synchronized manual with floor shifter
Factory transmission A833 4-speed manual
Factory transmission 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic

Options

340 four-barrel V8 reference for the 1972 Plymouth Duster 340Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Duster 340 Duster 340 performance model equipment standard · performance · 340 four-barrel, three-speed floor shift, heavy-duty suspension, special grille, stripes, E70 tires, 5.5 x 14-inch wheels, 8 3/4 axle, and dual exhaust are in the reviewed factory boundary.
D21 A833 four-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Code context comes from the decoder; confirm the individual fender tag and broadcast sheet.
D32 TorqueFlite automatic transmission optional · performance · Code context comes from the decoder; confirm the individual fender tag and broadcast sheet.
Sure-Grip Sure-Grip differential optional · chassis
Power Disc Power front disc brakes optional · safety
Rallye Wheels Rallye road wheels optional · appearance
Sun Roof Factory sun roof optional · comfort
Tuff Wheel Tuff steering wheel optional · interior
Bucket Seats All-vinyl bucket seats optional · interior
A01 Light Package optional · comfort · Factory group for all Duster and Valiant models: fender-mounted turn-signal indicators plus trunk, glove-box, ash-receiver, delayed ignition-switch, and map/courtesy lights.
A04 Basic Group optional · comfort · Factory group for all Duster and Valiant models: AM radio, variable-speed wipers with electric washer, remote left chrome mirror, inside day/night mirror, and deluxe wheel covers. Released radios or mirrors could be substituted at differential price.
A25 Interior Convenience Group optional · interior · Factory group available on Duster models: cigar lighter, dual horns, glove-box light, and deluxe steering wheel.
A21 Custom Exterior Package optional · appearance · Factory group available on Duster models. Duster 340 content is applicability-dependent: drip-rail and wheel-lip moldings, coded lower-deck tape, and custom sill molding are documented; the page marks deck-lid applique and bright upper-door molding unavailable on Duster models.
Air Conditioner Front air conditioner with integral heater optional · comfort · Extra-cost on Duster 340. The general table excludes the 198 engine and a 318 with manual transmission; those combinations do not alter the 340 application.
50-amp Alternator 50-amp alternator optional · other · Extra-cost and available only with air conditioning; the 41-amp alternator is standard on Duster 340.
59 amp-hr Battery 59 amp-hour battery optional · other · Extra-cost upgrade from the standard 46 amp-hour battery.
Center Folding Armrest Front-seat center folding armrest optional · interior
Bumper Guards Front and rear bumper guards optional · appearance
Power Drum Power drum brakes optional · safety
Console Floor console optional · interior · Available only with bucket seats and automatic transmission.
Rear Defogger Rear-window defogger optional · comfort
Tinted Glass Tinted glass for all windows optional · comfort
Tinted Windshield Tinted windshield only optional · comfort
Inside Hood Release Inside hood release optional · comfort
Two-Tone Paint Two-tone paint optional · appearance · Not available with the black performance hood treatment.
Performance Hood Paint Black performance hood treatment optional · appearance · Not available with two-tone paint. The Duster 340 table lists the paint treatment separately from Twister-package hood scoops, which are unavailable on Duster 340.
Power Steering Power steering optional · chassis
AM Radio AM solid-state push-button radio with antenna optional · comfort
AM/FM Radio AM/FM monaural solid-state push-button radio optional · comfort
Rear Speaker Rear-seat speaker optional · comfort
Rear Speaker Reverb Rear-seat speaker with reverberator dealer · comfort · Dealer-installed, not factory-installed equipment.
Rear-Spring Load Levelers Rear-spring load levelers dealer · chassis · Dealer-installed, not factory-installed equipment.
Rear Shoulder Belts Rear left and right shoulder belts dealer · safety · Dealer-installed; front shoulder belts were standard.
Styled Steering Wheel Three-spoke steering wheel with horn tabs and styled pad optional · interior
Undercoating Undercoating with underhood insulator pad optional · other
Vinyl Roof Vinyl roof optional · appearance · Factory table lists black, white, green, and gold; the manually operated sunroof was unavailable with a vinyl roof.
Deluxe Wheel Covers 14-inch deluxe wheel covers optional · appearance
Variable Wipers Variable-speed wipers with coordinated electric washers optional · safety · Two-speed electric wipers and manual washers were standard.

Paint

A4 Winchester Gray Metallic factory · metallic
B1 Blue Sky factory · solid
B3 Basin Street Blue factory · solid
B5 True Blue Metallic factory · metallic
E5 Rallye Red factory · solid
F3 Amber Sherwood Metallic factory · metallic
F7 Sherwood Green Metallic factory · metallic
T6 Mojave Tan Metallic factory · metallic
T8 Chestnut Metallic factory · metallic
V2 Tor-Red factory · solid
W1 Spinnaker White factory · solid
Y1 Lemon Twist factory · solid
Y4 Honeydew factory · solid
Y8 Gold Leaf Metallic factory · metallic
Y9 Tawny Gold Metallic factory · metallic
X9 Formal Black optional · solid

Production

Stock-presented 1972 Duster body profile; included for body and proportion context, not as a Duster 340 authentication referenceIFCAR via Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

Transmission and axle choices reference for the 1972 Plymouth Duster 340Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1972 Plymouth Duster 340 two-door coupe by body · 15,681 · reported

Authenticity

Heavy-duty chassis reference for the 1972 Plymouth Duster 340Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Model and year identity The VIN begins with the reviewed VS29H2 model, body, engine, and year boundary and agrees with the fender tag, broadcast sheet, title history, and body evidence. · VIN, fender tag, broadcast sheet, title history, and protected body evidence · fraud detection
340 engine identity H-code/E55 documentation and the installed 340's family, assembly, date, and hardware evidence agree with the car's build record. · VIN, fender tag, broadcast sheet, engine identifiers and dates, and restoration history · numbers matching
Transmission and axle configuration The three-speed, A833, or TorqueFlite path and 8 3/4/Sure-Grip configuration agree with tags, assemblies, dates, and paperwork. · Fender tag, broadcast sheet, transmission case and tag, shifter and linkage, axle tag and stamp, and service history · numbers matching
Paint, stripe, and interior Paint and trim codes agree with protected finish, upholstery construction, stripe evidence, and the individual order record. · Fender tag, broadcast sheet, window sticker, protected paint, upholstery seams and materials, and period photographs · trim correctness
Visual evidence boundary Badges, stripes, hood treatment, grille, Rallye wheels, and a 340 air-cleaner decal support inspection but do not establish the car's original identity or equipment. · Car-specific records, protected finishes, component identifiers, ownership history, and inspection notes · fraud detection
340 forged-to-cast crankshaft running change Chrysler-Plymouth TSB 09-07A-72C states that production changed from a forged to a cast 340 crankshaft on April 11, 1972 with engine serial number HM340R-3911-8000; the cast crank has sharp-cornered counterweights and raised CFD letters on the number-four counterweight, and its damper is marked for 340 cast-crank use · Engine serial, crankshaft number-four counterweight, vibration damper, torque-converter or flywheel balance evidence, build date, and car-specific records · date correctness

Still Researching

engine The reviewed factory and specialist sources establish 240 net hp, compression, induction, exhaust, electronic ignition, and the April 11 forged-to-cast crankshaft system change, while one auction description reports 235 net hp; the complete block, head, carburetor-number, distributor, emissions, and remaining date/running-change matrix was not recovered.
transmission Factory choices are known, but complete case, assembly, date, gearset, shifter, linkage, and compatibility details were not recovered.
rear axle The factory table establishes the 340 four-barrel transmission, ratio, and Sure-Grip matrix, but assembly codes, carrier identifiers, brake and axle build details, dates, revisions, and individual-car applications remain unresolved.
option packages Factory data-book pages now establish 38 standard, extra-cost, and dealer-installed paths with several package contents and dependencies. The book explicitly was not a complete option list, and the complete sales-code, dollar-price, cross-option incompatibility, regional, effective-date, cancellation, and revision schedule remains unresolved.
production Hemmings reports 15,681 cars, while other secondary references publish lower totals; no reviewed factory ledger resolves the discrepancy or supplies transmission, color, or option splits.
authenticity markers The model, engine, drivetrain, paint, trim, visual boundaries, and April 11 forged-to-cast 340 crankshaft change are covered, but other exact assembly identifiers, date windows, stamp locations, and plant-specific acceptance ranges remain incomplete.