I bought the Duster on February 15, 1979.  I paid $1600.00 for it.  I remember having to finance $900.00, a lot of money back then for a guy who just turned 20 and operating a forklift for a living.  I was looking for a 340 Duster when I found this one in the local newspaper.  Funny to think that $1600.00 wouldn't even pay for a set of wheels and tires today!  This thing had everything I wanted, a 340 (Duh!), 727 Tranny, 8 1/4" with 3.21:1's and Sure-Grip (an 8 3/4" would have been nicer, but you get what you get), rallye wheels, A/C, P/S, PDB, light package, rear defroster, buckets and console all wrapped in a black exterior with the white "340" stripes and a black interior.  WOW! I was hooked!  The only thing wrong was mileage, 132,000.  It was mechanically sound though, as the guy I bought it from was a mechanic for Caterpillar.
	Well, as you can see from the photos, it wasn't long before I traded the rallye wheels for "Mags".  It really didn't look too bad, but handled poorly.  The Gasser look was kinda the style back then.  I didn't know about Super Stock springs and a pinion snubber back then (notice the traction bars?).  The hood scoop was something I did in the condo parking lot with a jigsaw and pop-rivet gun.  Pretty brave for a guy who was spending $60.22 a month for his "Dream Machine".  Ah, youth.  I wish I had some of that energy and enthusiasm back today!
	Here is a view of the original 340 mill.  Although dirty, it ran well.  This was the last year for the 340 in a Duster (or any Mopar for that matter).  The motor was detuned (for emissions) in '72 / '73 and had lost it's 10.4:1 compression ratio to 8.5:1.  It also lost the 2.02" intake valves to 1.88".  The crank is cast, externally balanced.  Horsepower was rated at a paltry 240.