Car of the Week: 1976 Plymouth Trail Duster Sport

[mongooz]

[remember, i don't pick them, i just post them. i have no idea why they'd run two SUV's back to back]
[and if i'm being honest, i kinda like the Trail Duster a bit better than the Blazer]

Fact is, old trucks were almost always well-used — and hard. It’s usually the same story for their sport-utility-vehicle derivatives, even if an older SUV’s life of camping and hunting and people hauling is somewhat less harsh. That means finding a old truck or SUV in unrestored-original condition today is like striking gold.

Weylin Johnson’s 1976 Plymouth Trail Duster Sport is one of those gold nuggets.
And as if such a well-preserved 1970s SUV isn’t rare enough, when is the last time you saw Plymouth’s version?

ream more: https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/car-of-the-week-1976-plymouth-trail-duster-sport

 

[bsman]

Babyshit yellow is a fitting color for that...

 

[mongooz]

Babyshit yellow is a fitting color for that...

i take it that you don't like the vehicle?

 

[335clone]

Looks pretty much like my old '77 Ramcharger (440) Which was basically a Power Wagon with a removable shell. Noy exactly what I would term an SUV. Mine actually had an Urban Assault Vehicle sticker on it. Went anywhere and everywhere. With the 440/auto, I could actually get out of in in drive on an uphill in 4L and walk around it as it slowly clawed it's way along.

 

[mongooz]

Looks pretty much like my old '77 Ramcharger (440) Which was basically a Power Wagon with a removable shell. Noy exactly what I would term an SUV. Mine actually had an Urban Assault Vehicle sticker on it. Went anywhere and everywhere. With the 440/auto, I could actually get out of in in drive on an uphill in 4L and walk around it as it slowly clawed it's way along.

yea, my CJ-5 would do something like that too, except i had a manual throttle in it so i could set the rpms and not have to touch the gas, but mine was a 4 speed.
it was great for going "stoned cruising" on the trails

 

[tiger roach]

I would have been thrilled to drive that when it was current. I don’t see it as restoration-worthy now. I’d rather have my RAV4 with Sirius and antilock brakes and blindspot monitors and 30 mm GAU-8/A cannon.

 

[mongooz]

I would have been thrilled to drive that when it was current. I don’t see it as restoration-worthy now. I’d rather have my RAV4 with Sirius and antilock brakes and blindspot monitors and 30 mm GAU-8/A cannon.

from what i see and read, restoration isn't necessary. just put gas in it and drive.
besides, it has better hauling capacity and ammo space for the GAU that the RAV does.

 

[bsman]

i take it that you don't like the vehicle?

Don't tell @dodgechargerfan, but if I never drive another Mopar again I won't shed a tear.

 

[mongooz]

Don't tell @dodgechargerfan, but if I never drive another Mopar again I won't shed a tear.

yea, i've had ups and downs with them over the years.
but then i've had ups and downs with almost every brand at one time or another.
they've all made some clunkers.

 

[bsman]

yea, i've had ups and downs with them over the years.
but then i've had ups and downs with almost every brand at one time or another.
they've all made some clunkers.

So far, in my long life of driving there are only two marques that have not let me down: Nissan and Mazda. Ford and Mopar have been the worst offenders.

 

[mongooz]

So far, in my long life of driving there are only two marques that have not let me down: Nissan and Mazda. Ford and Mopar have been the worst offenders.

you do get that mazda suv's are made by ford, right?

 

[DinoMikeSr]

We had those in the missile field out West in 84 and 85. Things would spin on you in a second on those washboard dirt roads. Had the 318 in it and well, it was sad. Tons of room inside and the rear lift gate opened from the bottom and was tall enough for me to stand under at 6' 3" tall. It didn't have lock out/in front hubs and I didn't care for that.

 

[mongooz]

We had those in the missile field out West in 84 and 85. Things would spin on you in a second on those washboard dirt roads. Had the 318 in it and well, it was sad. Tons of room inside and the rear lift gate opened from the bottom and was tall enough for me to stand under at 6' 3" tall. It didn't have lock out/in front hubs and I didn't care for that.

yep, they were super light in the rear and would fishtail easily. and with the 440.....

 

[bsman]

you do get that mazda suv's are made by ford, right?

Ye, but they're made in Japan...

 

[335clone]

yep, they were super light in the rear and would fishtail easily. and with the 440.....

Just keep your foot to the floor, it'll straighten out in time. LOVE 440's

 

[mongooz]

Just keep your foot to the floor, it'll straighten out in time. LOVE 440's

at my A.F. base (Moody) our flight line fire department had a 1967 crew cab Power Wagon 4x4 with a 440 4bbl in it.
those clowns were always looking for an excuse to tear out of the fire house in that thing in 4WD, smokin' ALL FOUR TIRES!!.
it was f'ing hilarious.

 

[mongooz]

at my A.F. base (Moody) our flight line fire department had a 1967 crew cab Power Wagon 4x4 with a 440 4bbl in it.
those clowns were always looking for an excuse to tear out of the fire house in that thing in 4WD, smokin' ALL FOUR TIRES!!.
it was f'ing hilarious.

a lot like this one:

 

[dodgechargerfan]

Don't tell @dodgechargerfan, but if I never drive another Mopar again I won't shed a tear.

You’re dead to me.

 

[bsman]

You’re dead to me.

Sorry man, but I have a distinct distaste for cars that catch fire while I'm driving them...

 

[335clone]

Sorry man, but I have a distinct distaste for cars that catch fire while I'm driving them...

Stop misusing the Mopar moniker. It does NOT encompass all chrysler products, despite that common usage among the unwashed.

MOPAR:

Nopar:

MOPAR:

Nopar:

Hope that clears things up