B-body vs. A-body...

[djais1801]

So I am getting very close to making a decision on my 1st mopar. I have driven from my house to Cherry Hill,NJ (1.5 hrs), Newark,DE (2hrs), Mahwah,NJ (1.5hrs)...have a FABO member looking at a 73 Duster for me in CT, and going to drive up to NY state (3hrs) to look at a 71 RR clone. I have looked at a 68 Satellite Sport RR clone, 2-70 RR clones, a 67 Barracuda FB..and am narrowed down

Let me know your thoughts...
1. 71 Satellite, started life as a 6cyl. but seems to be pretty good..here are some pics and details:
383ci, 727w/ 3500 stall converter, 509 cam, torker2 intake w/ 750 holley carb, H-pipe w/ flowmasters, 83/4 posi (391gears),new 15'' ralley wheels.
Has clean,stock interior(black).
Older restoration but car shines (7 out of 10)

2. 73 Duster 340 H code:
Plymouth Duster 340. Real "H" code Black Beauty with original 340. Pistol-grip 4 speed. New bushings, clutch w/ t.o. bearing, springs, sway bars, fuel tank, 8 3/4" rear housing w/411's, headers, 3" exhaust w/ Flowmaster series 40's, Holley 750 cfm carb, cam, dash pad, front and rear seats, dealer option "GO" wing, American Racing Torque-Thrust D's, etc., etc., and etc.

 

[Cranky]

It amazes me that so many still put that stooopid loop hose on the water pump because the heater core is either leaking or gone. Just plug the dang ports. I'm partial to older 67-69 Darts and 66-70 B bodies.....but I've had many E body cars too.

 

[fla 66 cuda]

Buy them both hard to decide.

 

[Cranky]

I like the B body better.....big block too. If they are priced right, buy them both like cuda said!

 

[djais1801]

the guys replacing the heater box in the satellite. There is a few thousand price diff. in favor of the satellite..
Cranky, I do like those b-bodies too, but the one's in my budget had a ton of bodywork needed..
fla66cuda, it is so hard to decide, wish i had the loot to scoop up multiples..I have had Fords, Chevy, Buick, Pontiacs..always wanted a mopar, and never had a big block..

 

[djais1801]

you guys are funny..try explaining that to my wife..and my 1-car garage!

 

[brandon64]

coming from someone who owns both A's and B's, I'd get the duster. But I am partial to 4 speed cars.

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

Both look like nice cars! What do you like better 4 speed or auto? Original or clone? If the same money and condition, the original car will probably be a better resale down the road.If you are buying for having a fun driver, buy the one you will enjoy driving to most. I like the Duster myself, but I've already got 2 B-bodies.LOL:headbang:

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Duster, can't pass up a 4 speed.

 

[fla 66 cuda]

I had to extend the garage when we got our charger,gonna have to go wider when the next one is found. My wife thinks i'm done at 2 cars [i am the next one is gonna be an A100]. I'm not hard to please i would like a 4 speed car but the satty is clean, however is the duster number matching? Oh the decisions they are both nice just pick one.

 

[djais1801]

This is my 1st MoPar...and the positives for me on Satellite is a big block and the body style..
positives for me on the duster is the color, and 4 speed, I actually prefer the grill/tail of the 71-2 dusters and demons are just badass..so I am all over the friggin place.

 

[djais1801]

yes..just looked at pics again..it's numbers matching 340 car. however it was originally a 3 spd car. how can i tell from the fender tag and/or vin the color of the car?

 

[fla 66 cuda]

Ok being your first mopar my advice would be the duster since it is an origanal matching car,reason is as 68 said in the event you want to upgrade later a matching car will get you more in a sale than a clone [not that clones are bad just harder to get a lot out of verses a matching car] thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[65-440]

My go is with the duster. First off its a 4 spd, second its a #'s matching car..... Plus not too crazy about those year b-bodies ...but it all comes down to $$$ ...

 

[djais1801]

that's a good point, as i always say i am going to keep them for a while, and my last toy made it 5 mos. I have had my license for 25 years, and had 40 vehicles between toys, DD, motorcycle,4x4s..

 

[djais1801]

The asking price difference is at $4000 in favor of the Satellite..maybe more as the Duster is FIRM and the Satellite isn't.
Does that sway anyone?

 

[Ron 73]

Ive drove the A-bodys, but ive never owned one, I think I would go with the B-Body.. Years ago my girlfriends brother bought a brand new 71 Duster, 6 cylinder car, real nice, at the time i was driving a 70 RR and he asked me once if i would trade him a couple years later and i said no, the 6 cylinder had nothing to do with it, my RR only had a 318 in it, it was just the ride, the looks of it is all. You are the one that has to like which ever you go with, i do like the a body cars i just always liked the b bodys a bit better, It would be cool to have both! maybe you could explain how nice your wife would look good in one, and you in the other.

 

[Red63440]

I have to agree that a numbers matching car would be more desirable, A or B-body. Being that your choices at this point are what they are I would go with the A-body because of higher resale value.

 

[brandon64]

This is what I would do. Buy the duster, pull the 340 and sell/trade it for a big block. 340's are high in value. and big block 4 speed A bodies are fun.

 

[Red63440]

This is what I would do. Buy the duster, pull the 340 and sell/trade it for a big block. 340's are high in value. and big block 4 speed A bodies are fun.

I would put the 340 in the garage and hold onto it...that way he still has the ability to have a numbers matching car. If he is going to sell the 340 he might as well buy the cheaper clone.