Pick of the Day: What! You haven’t heard of the Plymouth Trail Duster?

Confession: Don’t feel badly if you’d never heard of the Plymouth Trail Duster until you read the headline above. I didn’t recall ever hearing about this model, either, until I searched our archives and discovered I’d written about one as the Pick of the Day back in April 2019.

The Trail Duster was Plymouth’s version of what Dodge sold as the Ramcharger utility wagon. The vehicles were introduced for 1974 as sport utility vehicles but actually were 4×4 pickup trucks with an available wagon-style hard or a convertible-style soft top over the bed.

In its standard version, the vehicle came with an exposed passenger and cargo compartment and only with a driver’s seat. But the Pick of the Day is a 1968 Plymouth Trail Duster Sport, which added front bucket seats, special trim, lockable center console, removable beverage chest, and other features, according to The Standard Catalog of Light Duty Trucks. 

“This 1978 Plymouth Trail Duster Sport is the cleanest example I have seen and has been very well cared for,” the Tampa, Florida, dealer advertising the vehicle for sale for $32,900 on ClassicCars.com notes. 

“This unique piece of American engineering is ready for cruise-ins or taking the factory top down and going on a weekend drive through the mud with its big off-road tires!”

The dealer notes that the truck has a 440cid V8 engine with 3-speed automatic transmission. It also has “recent shocks and steering stabilizers.”

“Options on this 1978 Plymouth Trail Duster include A/C, AM/FM radio with CD player, manual convertible top, tilt wheel, power windows, power steering, power brakes, seat belts, vinyl interior, all sitting on nice 16” rims and 31” tires with excellent tread. 

“She has a Dana 44 front axle and a Chrysler 9.25 rear end with 3:55 gears. 

“The engine runs strong and the transmission shifts smooth and is strong in every gear. She starts up and settles into a nice little purr,” the dealer continues. 

“The truck looks great with her Black and Red Coral paint job with black vinyl interior you will without a doubt be turning heads while driving around town.”

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.