Yes the breather can get to atmosphere, or vented to the aircleaner lid depending if it had the Clean Air Package.The PVC hose plugs into the rear carb only on the back side. Very common to have an open breather and pvc valve. It’s pulling air through the crankcase not the intake track. My 66 Hemi has an open breather. Some models had the breather hooked by a hose to the air cleaner and pulled air through from there. Basically the same thing except the air pulled in is filtered.
You could throw the breather in the garbage and the engine wouldn't care.
Other than sucking dust in.