The word poseur generally does not have good connotations. I myself first encountered the word from the punk rock world as a description for someone inauthentic. However, when it comes to the automotive world, poseur may not carry such negative baggage. Case in point is our Pick of the Day, a 1971 Plymouth Duster Twister. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Largo, Florida. (Click on this link to view the listing)
Nineteen seventy-one was not a wonderful year for the American auto industry. The performance car market, which had been so strong around 1967-68, started to crater soon after. By 1970, performance cars were about half of what they were a year or two before. The insurance industry certainly played a part, as it famously enacted surcharges if there was a mere whiff of performance, such as a four-speed manual transmission. Of course, a 302 two-barrel Mustang could be equipped with that transmission, and that car was the furthest thing from a screamer.
During this time, manufacturers introduced several models and packages that seized on the performance look while being powered by slightly less powerful engines. The 1970 Oldsmobile Rallye 350 is a fine example of hot looks with an engine that had decent grunt but avoided the insurance surcharge. The 1970½ Pontiac GT-37 took another route, offering a standard engine that lacked horsepower but gave buyers the option to add engines associated with the GTO.
On the compact front, the new Ford Maverick (as well as the Mustang) introduced a Grabber package mid-year in 1970 that looked the part but offered zero performance. Plymouth followed up with a competitor the following year with the Duster Twister.
The Plymouth Duster was introduced in 1970 as a successor to the A-body Barracuda. With a semi-fastback roofline and distinctive Fuselage design language, the Duster gave the Valiant series new life. The Duster 340 also was a fine performance car, retailing for less than the Road Runner while offering an eager small-block fully capable of out-gunning its bigger Road Runner brethren. For 1971, the Duster 340 received a unique saw-toothed grille, new striping, plus a Performance Hood Paint treatment that made the Duster 340 wilder than most cars.
Mid-year 1971, Plymouth introduced the “A51” Twister package for the Valiant 6 and Valiant V8 models. It looked like a Duster 340 but was powered by either the “Slant Six” (198 or 225ci) or 318. Included in the package was the Duster 340’s grille, bias-belted tires with 14-inch Rallye wheels sans trim rings, racing mirrors, flat black hood paint with strobe stripe, longitudinal stripes with Twister logo, and lower deck stripes. An optional appearance item unique to the Twister was non-functional hood scoops copped from the 1970 Dodge Demon 340. (Dodge also had its version of the Twister called the Demon Sizzler.)
The Twister package continued through 1974, though the truly special ones are the 1971-72s due to the more extroverted look. This modified 1971 Plymouth Duster Twister maintains its born-with 318 V8 but it has been modified for more oomph, including a replacement 727 TorqueFlite. Features include power steering, power disc brakes, upgraded air conditioning, aluminum radiator, hood scoops, mag wheels, and rear spoiler. Though looking stock, the vinyl and cloth interior is a custom job.
The seller states, “This Duster is one-of-a-kind and has looks to kill! … This is a fun car that was built to be driven and enjoyed!” For $37,900, this car will be an authentic hoot.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
