1971 · Plymouth · United States
1971 Plymouth Duster 340 and Twister
The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
For 1971 Plymouth kept the Duster 340 and added DeLuxe, Sport, and Twister packages to the Duster line, and the dealer data book describes a new grille with vertical openings and parking lamps set into it, a Thermo-Quad four-barrel on the 340, a floor-shift three-speed, heavy-duty suspension, a 3.23 axle, E70x14 tires, a Rallye instrument cluster, and cloth-and-vinyl bench seating as standard equipment. New options for the year included a rear deck spoiler, a flat-black performance hood treatment with "340 Wedge" tape lettering, hood pins, a manually operated sun roof, and a high-performance axle package. The 108-inch Duster coupe was joined that year in the Valiant line by the new 111-inch Valiant Scamp hardtop.1
Duster 340 production carries an open conflict: MuscleCarClub's compilation, citing the Standard Catalog of Chrysler, counts 12,886 Duster 340s within 186,478 Dusters overall, while a separate compilation citing Galen Govier and Consumer Guide instead gives 12,866, a figure that differs from the first by a simple transposition of digits. Neither source cites an underlying factory record, so both figures are carried rather than one being preferred, with the Standard Catalog lineage leading only provisionally. The Twister package the Standard Catalog lineage names for 1971 does not itself appear anywhere in the 1971 data book or the introductory price list read for this record, a gap flagged as an open lead pointing toward a possible midyear price supplement or the 1971 Rapid Transit brochure.1,2
Base prices ran $2,313 for the Duster six, $2,437 for the Duster V8, and $2,703 for the Duster 340, against $2,685 for a V8 Valiant Scamp hardtop for context. The 340 made 275 hp gross (235 hp net) at 5,000 rpm and 340 lb-ft gross (310 net) at 3,200 rpm at 10.3:1 compression through its Thermo-Quad four-barrel; the standard 318 two-barrel made 230 hp gross (155 net); the standard 198 six made 125 hp gross (105 net); and an optional 225 six, priced at $38.95 and not available in the Duster 340, made 145 hp gross (110 net).
The floor-shift three-speed manual was standard in the Duster 340 and a $12.90 option in the Duster, while the four-speed with Hurst shifter, available only in the Duster 340, added $189.80; TorqueFlite ran from $182.95 with the six up to $214.40 in the Duster 340. Duster 340-specific options included the $61.40 High-Performance Axle Package (a 3.91 heavy-duty axle, Sure-Grip differential, and maximum cooling, restricted to V8s and unavailable with air conditioning), a $34.30 rear spoiler offered on no other Duster, a $49.45 tachometer likewise 340-only, and the $20.55 hood treatment carrying the "340 Wedge" callout; a manually operated sun roof was listed for both the Duster and Duster 340 without a stated price or order code in the price list read.
Plymouth's own line-wide option take-rate figures, covering the Valiant sedan, Scamp, Duster, and Duster 340 together rather than the Duster alone, show automatic transmission at 77.5%, radio at 89.4%, power steering at 57.0%, air conditioning at 23.9%, vinyl roof at 28.6%, high-impact paint at 18.4%, Rallye road wheels at 6.9%, console at 3.6%, power disc brakes at 2.1%, and the sun roof at just 0.3%. Fifteen exterior colors were charted, with several colors changing mid-year: Evening Blue Metallic was cancelled for Valiant and Duster in a January 1971 change, Bahama Yellow was made a special extra-cost color in the same change, and Lemon Twist was released as an extra-cost color across the whole 1971 Plymouth line at that same point.3
Fact sheet · 1971 · United States
The numbers
1971 Plymouth Duster 340 and Twister — The Duster 340's second year brought a new grille, a Thermo-Quad 340 rated 275 gross and 235 net hp, and a $2,703 list price, while output fell to about 12,900.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Duster 340: 12,886 (Standard Catalog lineage) or 12,866 (Govier/Consumer Guide compilation).1,2
- All Dusters: 186,478.1
- Duster 340 MSRP $2,703; Duster six $2,313; Duster V8 $2,437.
- 340: 275 hp gross (235 net) at 5,000 rpm; 340 lb-ft gross (310 net) at 3,200 rpm; 10.3:1; Thermo-Quad 4-bbl.
- Option take rates for the whole 1971 Valiant line (Valiant sedan, Scamp, Duster and Duster 340 together), as Plymouth reported them to dealers: automatic transmission 77.5%, radio 89.4%, power steering 57.0%, air conditioning 23.9%, vinyl roof 28.6%, hi-impact paint 18.4%, Rallye road wheels 6.9%, console 3.6%, power disc brakes 2.1%, sun roof 0.3%. These are line-wide percentages, not Duster counts.3
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duster, all models1 2-door coupe · not stated | 186,478 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duster, non-3401 Duster · 2-door coupe · not stated | 173,592 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Duster 3401 Duster 340 · 2-door coupe · 340 4-bbl · not stated 12,866 in another compilation; see conflicts. | 12,886 | built, model-year | Disputed |
Duster and Duster 340 rows partition the total as the source presents it. No Twister, Gold Duster, engine, transmission or colour count was found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Base price, Duster six 2-door sport coupe (VL29) | $2,313 | manufacturer's suggested retail price, including factory retail price and excise, handling and other charges; destination and taxes extra, 1971 model-year introduction |
| Base price, Duster V8 2-door sport coupe (VL29) | $2,437 | manufacturer's suggested retail price (as above), 1971 model-year introduction |
| Base price, Duster 340 2-door sport coupe (VS29) | $2,703 | manufacturer's suggested retail price (as above), 1971 model-year introduction |
| Base price, Valiant Scamp V8 2-door hardtop (VH23) (context) | $2,685 | manufacturer's suggested retail price (as above), 1971 model-year introduction |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| E55 · 340 V8, 4-bbl (Thermo-Quad)4 340 cu in · Thermo-Quad 4-barrel | 275 hp @ 5,000, 340 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (printed as 'Advertised Gross')); 235 hp @ 5,000, 310 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE net (printed as 'Installed Net')) | standard in Duster 340 only; 10.3:1 compression, 4.04 x 3.31 in, premium fuel, dual low-restriction exhaust | Not yet sourced |
| E44 · 318 V8, 2-bbl 318 cu in · 2-barrel | 230 hp @ 4,400, 320 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE gross (printed as 'Advertised Gross')); 155 hp @ 4,000, 260 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE net (printed as 'Installed Net')) | standard V8 in Duster; not with 4-speed | Not yet sourced |
| E22 · 198 Six, 1-bbl 198 cu in · 1-barrel | 125 hp @ 4,400, 180 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE gross (printed as 'Advertised Gross')); 105 hp @ 4,400, 160 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE net (printed as 'Installed Net')) | standard six in Duster; not with air conditioning or 4-speed | Not yet sourced |
| E24 · 225 Six, 1-bbl 225 cu in · 1-barrel | 145 hp @ 4,000, 215 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE gross (printed as 'Advertised Gross')); 110 hp @ 4,000, 185 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net (printed as 'Installed Net')) | optional in Duster ($38.95); not in Duster 340 | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| D13 · Three-speed manual, fully synchronized, floor shift (A230)4 | standard in Duster 340; $12.90 in Duster | Not yet sourced |
| D14 · Three-speed manual, column shift (partial-synchro with sixes, full-synchro with 318)4 | standard in Duster; not available in Duster 340 | Not yet sourced |
| D21 · Four-speed manual, fully synchronized, Hurst shifter (A833)4 | Duster 340 only, $189.80 | Not yet sourced |
| D34 · TorqueFlite three-speed automatic | $182.95 with six, $190.60 with 318, $214.40 in Duster 340 | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
High-impact paint colors | $13.85 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-tone paint | $28.55 | Not yet sourced |
V1sales code |
Vinyl roof (black, white, green or gold) | $88.25 | Not yet sourced |
V5sales code |
Vinyl side molding (standard with A21 on Duster) | $30.95 | Not yet sourced |
V8sales code |
Rear (lower deck lid) tape stripe, standard on Duster 340 | $12.75 | Not yet sourced |
V6sales code |
Body side tape stripe (standard on Duster 340 and with A23) | $25.50 | Not yet sourced |
L4trim code |
Vinyl split-back bench with center armrest and carpeting | $76.50 | Not yet sourced |
L6trim code |
Vinyl bucket seats and carpeting | $111 | Not yet sourced |
L1trim code |
Cloth-and-vinyl bench seat (standard on Duster 340 and with A21-A23) | $12.75 | Not yet sourced |
E24sales code |
225 six engine | $38.95 | Not yet sourced |
D13sales code |
Three-speed manual, floor shift (standard Duster 340) | $12.90 | Not yet sourced |
D21sales code |
Four-speed manual, floor shift (Duster 340 only) | $189.80 | Not yet sourced |
D34sales code |
TorqueFlite (Duster 340) | $214.40 | Not yet sourced |
T77sales code |
E70x14 blackwall tires, HD suspension S13 required (standard on Duster 340) | $57.60 | Not yet sourced |
T76sales code |
E70x14 raised white letter tires | $43.40 | Not yet sourced |
D53sales code |
3.23 axle (6-cyl. and 318 with TorqueFlite) | $13.65 | Not yet sourced |
D91sales code |
Sure-Grip differential | $41.70 | Not yet sourced |
A01sales code |
Light Package | $29.15 | Not yet sourced |
A04sales code |
Basic Group (AM radio, variable-speed wipers, left remote mirror, day/night mirror) | $92.10 | Not yet sourced |
A21sales code |
Deluxe Trim Group, Duster (drip rail and body side vinyl moldings, cigar lighter, L1 cloth-and-vinyl trim); not Duster 340 | $59.60 | Not yet sourced |
A22sales code |
Sport Trim Group, Duster (tape between taillights, belt and drip moldings, cigar lighter, L1 trim) | $48.15 | Not yet sourced |
A23sales code |
Custom Sport Trim Group, Duster (tape stripes, belt, drip, wheel-lip and custom sill moldings, dual horns, L1 trim) | $98.90 | Not yet sourced |
A31sales code |
High-Performance Axle Package (HD 3.91 axle, Sure-Grip, maximum cooling; 8-cyl. only, not with A/C) | $61.40 | Not yet sourced |
A88sales code |
Interior Decor Group (wood-grained panels, rear armrests with ashtrays, 3-spoke wheel) | $23.65 | Not yet sourced |
B41sales code |
Front disc brakes (without power) | $32.05 | Not yet sourced |
B51sales code |
Power brakes | $42.30 | Not yet sourced |
C16sales code |
Console (bucket seats and TorqueFlite only) | $52.55 | Not yet sourced |
C93sales code |
Color-keyed carpets (with L1 and L2 trims) | $18 | Not yet sourced |
G11sales code |
Tinted glass, all windows | $33.60 | Not yet sourced |
G36 / G37sales code |
Racing mirrors, left remote and right manual, colour-keyed (G36) or chrome (G37) | $15.55 | Not yet sourced |
H51sales code |
Air conditioning (not with 198) | $384 | Not yet sourced |
H31sales code |
Rear window defogger | $27.35 | Not yet sourced |
J45sales code |
Hood pins | $15.20 | Not yet sourced |
J81sales code |
Rear aerodynamic spoiler (Duster 340 only among Dusters) | $34.30 | Not yet sourced |
N85sales code |
Tachometer (Duster 340 only) | $49.45 | Not yet sourced |
N95sales code |
NOx exhaust emission control (required in California) | $11.90 | Not yet sourced |
R11sales code |
AM radio | $64.10 | Not yet sourced |
R26sales code |
AM radio with stereo cassette tape player/recorder | $210.95 | Not yet sourced |
S13sales code |
Heavy-duty suspension with sway bar (standard Duster 340) | $13.60 | Not yet sourced |
S77sales code |
Power steering | $99.80 | Not yet sourced |
S84sales code |
'Tuff' steering wheel (power steering required; not with A88) | $28.85 | Not yet sourced |
W21sales code |
Rallye road wheels (D78 or E70 tires required) | $46.80 | Not yet sourced |
W15sales code |
Wire wheel covers | $66.10 | Not yet sourced |
V21sales code |
Hood performance paint (Duster; not with two-tone) | $17.80 | Not yet sourced |
V24sales code |
Hood performance paint with 340 engine callout ('340 Wedge' tape lettering; Duster 340 only) | $20.55 | Not yet sourced |
|
Sun roof, manually operated (Duster and Duster 340) | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
GA4 |
Winchester Gray Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
GB2 |
Glacial Blue Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
GB5 |
True Blue Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
GB7 |
Evening Blue Metallic (cancelled for Valiant/Duster in a January 1971 change)5 | Not yet sourced |
FC7 |
In Violet Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
FE5 |
Rallye Red5 | Not yet sourced |
GF3 |
Amber Sherwood Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
GF7 |
Sherwood Green Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
FJ6 |
Sassy Grass Green5 | Not yet sourced |
GK6 |
Autumn Bronze Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
EL5 |
Bahama Yellow (made a special extra-cost colour in January 1971)5 | Not yet sourced |
GT2 |
Tunisian Tan Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
EV2 |
Tor-Red5 | Not yet sourced |
GW3 |
Sno-White5 | Not yet sourced |
TX9 |
Formal Black5 | Not yet sourced |
GY3 |
Curious Yellow5 | Not yet sourced |
GY8 |
Gold Leaf Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
GY9 |
Tawny Gold Metallic5 | Not yet sourced |
FY1 |
Lemon Twist (extra cost; released for all 1971 Plymouths in a January 1971 change) | Not yet sourced |
V1X / V1W / V1F / V1Y |
Full vinyl roof: black / white / green / gold (extra cost) | Not yet sourced |
V6X / V6W, V8X / V8W |
Tape stripes, black or white: V6 belt line (standard, Duster 340 only) or character line (optional, Duster); V8 lower deck lid (standard Duster 340, optional Duster) | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
L2B7 / L2T7 / L2X9 |
Vinyl bench seat, standard on Duster: blue / tan / black | Not yet sourced |
L1B7 / L1F7 / L1X9 / L1XX |
Cloth-and-vinyl split-back bench, standard on Duster 340 and with Duster trim groups A21-A23, optional on Duster: blue / green / orange and black / white and black | Not yet sourced |
L4B7 / L4F7 / L4T7 / L4X9 / L4Y3 |
Vinyl split-back bench with folding center armrest and carpeting, optional on Duster 340 and Duster: blue / green / tan / black / gold | Not yet sourced |
L6X9 / L6XV |
Vinyl bucket seats with carpeting, optional on Duster 340 and Duster: black / orange and black | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 108 in | Duster coupe |
| Standard tires | E70 x 14 | Duster 340 |
| Rear axle | 3.23:1 standard; 8 3/4 in ring gear | Duster 340 |
| Brakes | 10 in heavy-duty drums standard; front discs optional | Duster 340 |
| Compression ratio | 10.3:1 | 340 4-bbl |
Identification
- VIN (1971 'G' series)
- Car line V (Valiant, including Duster); price class L for the Duster and S for the Duster 340; body 29; engine letter B 198, C 225, G 318, H 340; year 1; plant; six-digit sequence. A Duster 340 therefore reads VS29H1.6
- Fender tag (body code plate)
- Line 1 repeats the VIN. Line 2 carries the lower body paint code (digits 1-3), trim code (5-8), interior paint or build code (10-12) and the vehicle sales order number (14-23). Line 3 digits 1-3 give the upper body colour or vinyl roof code. Engine sales codes on the plate include E-22 198, E-24 225, E-44 318 and E-55 340; transmission codes D13 A230 floor-shift three-speed, D14 column three-speed, D21 A833 four-speed and D31/D32 automatics.4
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1971 Plymouth VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1971
- AMC AMX The AMX name moves onto the redesigned Javelin as its top model. It is a derivative badge, not a continuation of the two-seater. 2,054 were built, all with the 360 or 401.
- AMC Hornet SC/360 AMC's one-year compact muscle car pitched as an insurance-friendly alternative. AMC reportedly planned 10,000, but 784 were built.
- AMC Javelin A new, flared-fender Javelin, with the AMX name as its top model. Javelin won AMC the 1971 Trans-Am manufacturers' championship.
- AMC Matador Machine The Rebel Machine's unadvertised successor, a 'Machine Go' option package for the Matador hardtop. Production is unknown; published guesses run from 43 to 68.
- Buick Riviera The boattail Riviera: 455 rated 315 gross / 255 net, GS 330 / 265; 3,175 of 33,810 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX Compression fell to 8.5:1, the GS 350 and GS 455 were merged into one GS series of 9,170 cars, and the GSX became an appearance package on any GS.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS A single RPO Z15 SS package now spanned small- and big-block V8s; 9,502 of 19,293 SS cars carried the LS5 454, and Chevrolet began printing net ratings beside gross.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova SS limited to the L48 350 per the source; Rally Nova (RPO YF1) offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 194,878 cars; Super Sport 7,015.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS A single RPO Z15 SS package on the Malibu/Custom El Camino; the El Camino share of 19,293 SS cars is not separately published.
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS The last SS 454 year: RPO Z20 on 1,919 of 128,600 Monte Carlos.
- Dodge Challenger Challenger's second year lost the SE, the R/T convertible, and the T/A; a new pillared coupe joined the hardtop and convertible, and production fell to roughly a third of 1970's.
- Dodge Charger A new, shorter third-generation body absorbed the Coronet two-doors and the Super Bee; it was the last year for the R/T and for a factory Hemi Charger.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The end of the line for Coronet performance: the two-door Coronets were replaced by the Charger, taking the Super Bee with them.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Dodge's version of the Duster fastback arrived as the Demon, and the Demon 340 became the performance Dart: 10,098 built, plus 85 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber became its own model with a dual-scoop hood, and the 210 hp 302 V8 arrived; Classic Industries counts 38,963 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The second Torino-based Ranchero year; reference counts give 3,632 GTs, while Barn Finds rounds the GT figure to about 3,900 of 24,946 Rancheros.
- Ford Thunderbird The last fifth-generation year kept the 360-hp 429 as standard; production fell to 36,055.
- Ford Torino A carryover year for the 1970 body; the Torino Cobra now came standard with a 351 four-barrel and offered the 429 Cobra Jet-R, but only 3,054 Cobras were built.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The final Cyclone year: production fell to a few thousand across Cyclone, Cyclone GT and Cyclone Spoiler.
- Mercury Cougar A larger second-generation Cougar, new body codes, and the one-year 429 Cobra Jet option, fitted to 448 cars.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Compression fell to 8.5:1 for regular fuel, the W-31 was dropped, the sports coupe was gone, and 4-4-2 production fell to 7,589.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Four headlamps and a new grille marked the second E-body year; the Hemi and 440 Six Barrel stayed on the 'Cuda order form, but Barracuda-line production fell to about a third of 1970's.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite On the redesigned 1971 Satellite body the GTX fell to 2,942 cars, only 30 of them with the Hemi.
- Plymouth Road Runner Redesigned on the new Satellite body as a hardtop only, the Road Runner fell to 14,218 cars, and a 340 joined the 383, 440, and Hemi.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The 455 HO year: the Trans Am's biggest engine, 2,116 cars, and a Formula line split across three V-8s.
- Pontiac GTO Lower compression, dual gross and net ratings, the 455 HO as the top engine, and production down to 10,532.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Boat-tail styling, lower compression, and the manual transmission gone by March: 116 of 58,325 had one.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Tempest name gives way to T-37; the GT-37 option carries on and the 455 HO is available in two-door LeMans models.