Hemi-Swapped 1974 Plymouth Duster Is Pure Restomodded Perfection

With Hemi power and just the right amount of modern upgrades, this 1974 Plymouth Duster is a true work of art.

Restomods are all the rage these days, and for good reason – they give us the best of both worlds, including timeless vintage styling along with modern power and reliability. There are some non-believers out there, however, and we can’t blame them. After all, we’re not about messing with rare vintage muscle cars or destroying pieces of history. However, this 1974 Plymouth Duster we spotted at the 2022 SEMA Show is properly done, with just the right amount of modern bits to make it something truly special without offending anyone.

Built for EJ and Amy Fitzgerald out of Middleton, Wisconsin, by Cool Hand Customs, this wicked 1974 Plymouth Duster looks pretty much stock on the outside at least, though that’s not entirely true. Rather, this classic muscle car has been treated to some more subtle and tasteful upgrades such as Wheel Vintiques smoothie wheels with custom Mopar-style center caps, blacked-out trim, fresh Orange Crush paint, and 340-style satin black stripes, both of which were put down by in single-stage KBS Maxx coats.

Meanwhile, the biggest exterior changes are a front clip swap with a 1967 Dodge Valiant, while the rear panel came from a 1972 Dart. The interior features the same sort of treatment – it’s mostly original, yet modified to accept a late model Chrysler tunnel and center console, while digital touchscreen gauges add more of a modern touch. Underneath, the Duster has been treated to some updated components as well, including a QA1 tubular K-member and a six-link rear differential.

The big news, however, is what lies under the hood of this Plymouth restomod – a modern-day third-generation Hemi V8, which is mated to an Nag 1 transmission lifted from a 2007 Chrysler 300. That powerplant quite simply looks like it was installed from the factory, and meshes perfectly with the new/old vibe this build presents in spades. Coupled with its subtly updated styling inside and out, it’s hard to find any bones to pick with this amazing Duster, no matter how you might feel about restomods.

Photos for Dodge Forum by Derin Richardson

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.