1973 · Plymouth · United States
1973 Plymouth Duster 340
The 340's last year in the Duster produced 15,731 cars with power front disc brakes now standard, and the Spacemaker Pak fold-down rear seat joined the line.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
1973 was the Duster 340's last production year, with power front disc brakes now made standard equipment on it. Production reached 249,243 base Dusters and 15,731 Duster 340s for a total of 264,974, a figure both compilations consulted agree on exactly. The 340 continued to make 240 hp at 4,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm net at 8.4:1 compression with dual exhaust, alongside standard heavy-duty suspension and shocks, a floor-shift three-speed, and body side tape stripes carrying a 340 callout; a Hurst-shifted four-speed or a heavy-duty TorqueFlite with high shift points remained available at extra cost. New Duster options for the year included the Spacemaker Pak fold-down rear seat, a manually operated sliding steel sun roof, an electrically heated rear window, and a canopy vinyl roof offered only on Dusters, while the Twister package continued for the Duster but not the Duster 340.1
The Spacemaker Pak, order code C73, bundled the fold-down rear seat with a security panel and a carpeted trunk dress-up, and was available on Duster models only; luggage space grew from 15.9 to 56.0 cubic feet with it fitted. Plymouth's own dealer installation figures through January 1973 show the fold-down rear seat ordered on 22% of the rows labeled "Duster" and the sun roof on 4%, though the base those percentages are measured against is not stated; across the wider Valiant-Duster line, automatic transmission reached 90%, power steering 78%, vinyl roof 50%, air conditioning 37%, power front disc brakes 19%, AM/FM radio 3%, and Sure-Grip 3%.2
No 1973 base or option prices were located for this record; the scanned factory pricing book found for the year was itself printed before 1973 prices were set and reads blank. A separate enthusiast claim that Formula S-type hood scoops replaced the larger 1971-72 scoops for 1973, and that the cartoon Twister decal was used only on 1972 cars, rests on owner recollection rather than a factory document, and the factory 1973 equipment guide itself still lists a Twister decal within the A51 package, so the claim is not treated as established. The standard 318 made 150 hp at 3,600 rpm and 265 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm net; the optional 225 six made 105 hp (7 hp less with the N95 emission package); and the standard 198 six made 95 hp, unavailable in California.
The floor-shift three-speed was standard in the Duster 340 and extra cost in the Duster, while the column-shift three-speed was standard in the Duster and unavailable in the 340; the four-speed manual and the heavy-duty high-shift-point TorqueFlite were both extra-cost items restricted to the Duster 340, and ordinary TorqueFlite was extra cost in the Duster but not offered in the 340 at all. The Twister package bundled body-color racing mirrors, drip rail and wheel lip moldings, a performance hood treatment, tape stripes, and its decal, with hood scoops available only alongside it and the package itself incompatible with the separate Custom Exterior Package; a Trailer-Towing Package required TorqueFlite and power disc brakes, excluded the 198, and capped loaded trailer weight at 2,500 lb, while a Heavy-Duty Package added maximum cooling, heavy-duty suspension, and extra-wide wheel rims, also excluding the 198.
On the same 108-inch wheelbase, the Duster coupe grew to 195.8 inches long and 71.8 inches wide, standing 53.2 inches tall in Duster 340 form against 53.1 inches for other Dusters, on a 59.1-inch front and 55.6-inch rear tread, with the same 10.5-inch clutch shared by the 318 and 340. Color preference through January 1973 across the Valiant-Duster line put Honey Gold and Golden Haze Metallic in a tie for the top spot at 11.7% each, with Formal Black last at just 1.3%.2
Fact sheet · 1973 · United States
The numbers
1973 Plymouth Duster 340 — The 340's last year in the Duster produced 15,731 cars with power front disc brakes now standard, and the Spacemaker Pak fold-down rear seat joined the line.
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: 15,731 (two compilations agree).1,3
- All Dusters: 264,974.1
- 340: 240 hp at 4,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm, SAE net as installed; 8.4:1.
- Spacemaker Pak fold-down rear seat, order code C73, Duster models only; luggage space 56.0 cu ft with it against 15.9 without.
- Plymouth's dealer installation rates for 1973, through January 1973: the fold-down rear seat on 22% and the sun roof on 4% (both rows labelled 'Duster'; base not stated), and across the whole Valiant-Duster line automatic transmission 90%, power steering 78%, vinyl roof 50%, air conditioning 37%, power front disc brakes 19%, AM/FM radio 3%, Sure-Grip 3%. These are shares, not counts.2
- Most-ordered 1973 Valiant-Duster colours through January 1973: Honey Gold and Golden Haze Metallic, 11.7% each; Formal Black was last at 1.3%.2
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duster, all models1 2-door coupe · not stated | 264,974 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duster, non-3401 Duster · 2-door coupe · not stated | 249,243 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Duster 3401,3 Duster 340 · 2-door coupe · 340 4-bbl · not stated | 15,731 | built, model-year | Reported |
Duster and Duster 340 rows partition the total as the source presents it.
No Twister, Gold Duster, Space Duster, engine, transmission or colour count was found.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 340 V8, 4-bbl 340 cu in · 4-barrel | 240 hp @ 4,800, 295 lb-ft @ 3,600 (SAE net (as installed, SAE J245)) | standard in Duster 340 only; 8.4:1, dual exhaust | Not yet sourced |
| 318 V8, 2-bbl 318 cu in · 2-barrel | 150 hp @ 3,600, 265 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE net (as installed, SAE J245)) | standard V8 in Duster; not with 4-speed | Not yet sourced |
| 225 Six, 1-bbl 225 cu in · 1-barrel | 105 hp @ 4,000, 185 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE net (as installed, SAE J245); 7 hp less with N95 emission package) | optional in Duster | Not yet sourced |
| 198 Six, 1-bbl 198 cu in · 1-barrel | 95 hp @ 4,000, 150 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE net (as installed, SAE J245)) | standard six in Duster; not with air conditioning or 4-speed; not in California | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual, full-synchro, floor-mounted | standard in Duster 340; extra cost in Duster | Not yet sourced |
| Three-speed manual, column-mounted (partial-synchro with sixes, full-synchro with 318) | standard in Duster; not in Duster 340 | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed manual, full-synchro, floor-mounted with Hurst shifter | Duster 340 only (extra cost) | Not yet sourced |
| TorqueFlite three-speed automatic | extra cost in Duster; not in Duster 340 | Not yet sourced |
| TorqueFlite automatic, heavy-duty with high shift points | Duster 340 only (extra cost) | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
C73sales code |
Spacemaker Pak: fold-down rear seat with security panel and carpeted trunk dress-up (Duster models only)4 | — | Not yet sourced |
A51sales code |
Twister Package, Duster only, not with A21 (body-colour racing mirrors, drip rail and wheel lip moldings, performance hood treatment, body side and lower deck tape stripes, Twister decal; hood scoops only with A51) | — | Not yet sourced |
A21sales code |
Custom Exterior Package (drip rail, wheel lip and custom sill moldings, bright bumper guards; not with A51) | — | Not yet sourced |
A25sales code |
Interior Convenience Group (cigarette lighter, dual horns, glove box lock, deluxe steering wheel) | — | Not yet sourced |
A01sales code |
Light Package | — | Not yet sourced |
A04sales code |
Basic Group (AM radio, 3-speed wipers with washer, left remote mirror, day/night mirror, deluxe wheel covers) | — | Not yet sourced |
A88sales code |
Interior Decor Group (carpets, rear armrests with ash receiver, wood-grained panel and door trim, A-pillar garnish moldings) | — | Not yet sourced |
A35sales code |
Trailer-Towing Package (TorqueFlite and power disc brakes required; not with 198; 2,500 lb maximum loaded trailer) | — | Not yet sourced |
A33sales code |
Heavy-Duty Package (maximum cooling, heavy-duty suspension, extra-wide wheel rims; not with 198) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Sun roof, manually operated sliding steel panel (Duster, Duster 340)4 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Electrically heated rear window defroster (includes 60-amp alternator and tinted rear glass; Duster models) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Hood performance paint (Duster, Duster 340) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Racing mirrors, dual outside, left remote, colour-keyed with six paint codes or chrome | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Bucket seats (Duster, Duster 340); console with bucket seats and automatic only | — | Not yet sourced |
|
AM/FM solid-state monaural radio | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioner with heater (TorqueFlite required; not with 198 or with 318 and manual transmission) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Rallye road wheels (D78 or E70x14 tires required) | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
JA5 |
Silver Frost Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
HB1 |
Blue Sky | Unknown2 Reported |
TB3 |
Basin Street Blue | Unknown2 Reported |
GB5 |
True Blue Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
FE5 |
Rallye Red | Unknown2 Reported |
JF1 |
Mist Green | Unknown2 Reported |
GF3 |
Amber Sherwood Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
JF8 |
Forest Green Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
GK6 |
Autumn Bronze Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
HL4 |
Sahara Beige | Unknown2 Reported |
EW1 |
Spinnaker White | Unknown2 Reported |
TX9 |
Formal Black | Unknown2 Reported |
FY1 |
Lemon Twist (extra cost) | Unknown2 Reported |
JY3 |
Honey Gold | Unknown2 Reported |
JY6 |
Golden Haze Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
JY9 |
Tahitian Gold Metallic | Unknown2 Reported |
V1L / V1W / V1X / V1F / V1Y |
Full vinyl roof: parchment / white / black / green / gold (extra cost) | Not yet sourced |
V4W / V4X |
Canopy vinyl roof, white or black (Duster models only) | 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 |
|---|---|---|
A1B5 / A1F6 / A1X9 |
Cloth-and-vinyl split-back bench seat, standard on Duster 340 and Duster: blue / green / black | Not yet sourced |
D2B5 / D2F6 / D2L3 / D2X9 / D2Y4 |
Vinyl split-back bench seat, optional on Duster 340 and Duster: blue / green / parchment / black / gold | Not yet sourced |
C4B5 / C4F6 / C4X9 / C4L3 |
Vinyl split-back bench seat with folding center armrest, optional on Duster 340, Duster and Valiant sedan: blue / green / black / parchment | Not yet sourced |
C6X9 / C6L3 / C6XW |
Vinyl bucket seats, optional on Duster 340 and Duster: black / parchment / white | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 108 in | Duster coupe |
| Overall length | 195.8 in | Duster coupe |
| Overall width | 71.8 in | Duster coupe |
| Overall height | 53.2 in | Duster 340 (53.1 other Dusters) |
| Tread, front / rear | 59.1 / 55.6 in | Duster coupe |
| Luggage capacity | 15.9 (56.0 with Spacemaker Pak) cu ft | Duster coupe |
| Clutch diameter | 10.5 in | 318 and 340 |
Identification
- VIN (1973)
- Car line V (Plymouth Compact); a series letter the bulletin lists without meanings; body 29 (two-door special); engine letter B 198, C 225, G 318, H 340 4-bbl H.P.; model year 3; plant; sequence from 100001.5
Identification
Read a 1973 Plymouth VIN
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Same model year
Also in 1973
- AMC AMX The Javelin AMX's best year. 5,707 were built, a quarter of them with the 401, alongside the Trans Am Victory decal and the Pierre Cardin interior.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The V8 Gremlin X continued, with new stripes and an available Levi's denim-look interior. No production split has been found.
- AMC Javelin The SST name dropped away and new twin 'TV-screen' taillights arrived. Javelin production reached 25,195, alongside the Trans Am Victory decal package.
- Buick Riviera Stage One (260 hp net) joined a separate GS handling package; 1,234 Stage Ones and 3,933 GS cars of 34,080.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX On the new Colonnade A-body the GS became a Century Gran Sport package; 6,637 were built, 728 with the 455 Stage 1.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The Colonnade Chevelle's only SS year: RPO Z15 on the Malibu coupe and, for the first and only time, the station wagon, with a 245 net hp 454 available.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Hatchback appears in the source body table; SS offered with any engine per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 369,509 cars; Super Sport 35,542.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS The new Colonnade El Camino could still be ordered with RPO Z15 SS equipment; no El Camino SS count was found.
- Dodge Challenger The six was gone: every 1973 Challenger hardtop had a V8, the 318 standard and the 340 optional, with the Rallye now sold as a package.
- Dodge Charger The Charger's best-selling year of the original era, 119,318 cars, came as the 440 lost its Magnum name and the car moved toward personal luxury.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon Renamed Dart Sport, the fastback's 340 model sold 11,315 in the 340's final year.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The 200 six became standard as the 170 was dropped; Classic Industries counts 32,350 Grabbers.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 15,320 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird The 429 4V was standard and the 460 4V optional in the sixth generation's best-selling year.
- Ford Torino The 1973 Torino kept the 1972 body behind a heavier bumper; the Gran Torino Sport fell to 51,853 SportsRoofs and 17,090 hardtops while the 351 Cobra Jet remained the performance engine.
- Mercury Cougar The last Cougar convertible and the last 351 Cobra Jet year, with production up to 60,629 as buyers shifted to the XR-7.
- Mercury Montego GT The Montego GT fastback's second and last year; a vehicle profile reports 4,464 built.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds On the new Colonnade Cutlass the 4-4-2 was a W-29 appearance and handling option, and the Hurst/Olds came in white or, for the first time, black: 1,097 built.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda V8 only: the 318 became standard on both Barracuda and 'Cuda, the 340 moved to the option list, and production rose for the only time after 1970.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1973 the GTX name survived only through the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, which came with TorqueFlite only; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 749 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner A secondary count puts production back up to 19,056, the highest of the 1971-1974 Satellite-based years.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The Super Duty year: 4,802 Trans Ams, 252 of them SD-455s.
- Pontiac GTO A GTO option on the new Colonnade LeMans, with the 400 standard and a 455 optional; 4,806 built.
- Pontiac Grand Am Pontiac's Colonnade GT with an Endura nose and a 400 or 455; 43,137 built, the Grand Am's best year, with 1,058 four-speeds.
- Pontiac Grand Prix The Colonnade-body Grand Prix arrives, with the 400 standard and the 455 in the SJ.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The Colonnade LeMans arrives, with GTO and GT options for the two-door models and a Super Duty 455 listed for the LeMans in Pontiac's dealer book.