7 Minutes
The Legacy of Big American SUVs: Revisiting the 1979 Plymouth Trail Duster
When you think of the classic American SUV, it's easy to imagine that these imposing vehicles only became a cultural icon in recent decades. Truthfully, rugged, oversized 4x4s have been part of the automotive landscape since before the SUV trend hit its stride in the mid-1990s. Among these vintage giants sits a true rarity—the 1979 Plymouth Trail Duster. A product of badge engineering at its finest (or quirkiest), the Trail Duster stands as a Mopar oddity, sharing its DNA with the Dodge Ramcharger yet carrying a distinctly Plymouth badge, linking it to the broader Chrysler family. But this is no ordinary survivor—this is a restomod that blends old-school style with cutting-edge muscle car power.
Setting the Stage: The Origins of Plymouth's Only SUV
To appreciate the singularity of the Trail Duster, we must roll back the clock to 1974. At the time, American automakers were navigating increasingly strict emissions regulations and the aftershocks of the global oil crisis. Despite these pressures, car companies enjoyed significant freedom when it came to design and innovation. This era also saw the rise of badge engineering—a practice where one car could be swiftly rebranded across multiple marques, a strategy Chrysler fully embraced with the Trail Duster.
By lending the Ramcharger platform to Plymouth, Chrysler ventured into the SUV segment for the first time since World War II. The experiment was short-lived: the Trail Duster lasted only a single generation before being discontinued, outnumbered three to one by its Ramcharger sibling. As one of the rarest Mopar SUVs, fewer than 36,000 Trail Dusters were ever built—compared to over 100,000 Ramchargers—making it a true collector's item today.
Classic Features: What Made the Trail Duster Unique?
Despite its brief production run, the Plymouth Trail Duster stood out with several compelling features, especially for its era. Both the Trail Duster and Ramcharger boasted removable steel roofs, perfect for open-air driving—a hallmark at classic car shows. Some models also featured rare dealer-installed rag-top options for those seeking an even more adventurous look.
Inside, the standard Trail Duster kept things straightforward yet functional. Soft-touch vinyl seats and a simplified dashboard, punctuated by a unique cluster of six auxiliary gauge pods, delivered all the vital information without the luxury of a tachometer. The upscale Sport package enhanced comfort and aesthetics with faux wood-grain trim and an upgraded vinyl split-back seat accommodating three passengers.
Under the Hood: Original Mopar Powertrains
During its original run, the Trail Duster housed a selection of era-defining Chrysler V8 engines. Shoppers could choose from the dependable 318 and 360 small-block V8s, or go big with the 400 or legendary 440 cubic inch wedge V8s. Most of these SUVs came with a rugged three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission, maintaining a sense of simplicity that matched the Trail Duster’s purpose-built appeal. All early models featured full-time four-wheel drive, later evolving to selectable systems with sturdy manually locking front hubs—a must for serious off-roading.
Rare and Collectible: The Modern Value of the Trail Duster
Owning a Plymouth Trail Duster today is a claim to a piece of automotive history. With an estimated ten percent of the entire production run potentially still roadworthy, original and restored examples draw significant attention among Mopar collectors. The rarity, combined with its unique place in Plymouth's legacy, has elevated the Trail Duster’s profile in the world of classic American SUVs.
Building the Ultimate Restomod: Hellcat Power Meets Classic Trail Duster
Enter Horsepower Northwest—a boutique custom car shop in Bremerton, Washington, specializing in high-end Mopar restomods. Here, the team doesn’t just restore classics—they transform them. Their reimagined 1979 Plymouth Trail Duster is a masterclass in how to correctly blend nostalgia with modern muscle car engineering.
Full Frame-Off Restoration for Strength and Performance
Every restomod starts with a clean slate. The team at Horsepower Northwest takes the Trail Duster down to its bare chassis, stripping away decades of wear and retrofitting the frame with modern reinforcements. Given the immense torque of the new powertrain, the frame is boxed and strengthened to prevent any chance of body twist—a common issue when transplanting high-output engines into vintage SUVs.
A Hellcat Heart Under the Hood
While many restomods lean on crate V8s, this Trail Duster receives a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 engine, unleashing a staggering 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. No cost-saving measures or half-measures here; this is genuine Dodge Hellcat power. The original three-speed transmission is swapped for a robust NAG1 five-speed automatic—found in vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300, and even certain Mercedes-Benz models—ensuring modern-level drivability.
The drivetrain is further supported by heavy-duty Dynatrac axles and an Atlas transfer case, which together maintain OEM-style integrity while handling the Hellcat engine’s sky-high output. The end result: a fully capable 4x4 SUV that excels both on pavement and off-road.
Exterior Styling: Retro Flair with Modern Quality
The restomod Trail Duster’s exterior is finished in a striking shade that toe the line between rich red and deep brown, perfectly capturing the retro vibes of the 1970s. Chrome accents, distinctive badging, and period-correct wheels round out the look, making the SUV equally at home at classic car meetups or high-end custom shows.
Interior Craftsmanship: Vintage Spirit, Modern Comfort
Step inside, and you're met with plush carpets color-keyed to the eye-catching exterior—an homage to the era of Jimmy Carter and disco, yet with the fit and finish today’s enthusiasts expect. The shifter has been modernized with a Mopar-style rotary dial, bringing a subtle hint of 21st-century convenience while honoring the vehicle’s muscle car roots.
The seat upholstery is decorated with vibrant four-color horizontal stripes—a detail so perfectly '70s it feels like a time capsule. Yet, heritage pieces like the original lockable glove box remain, preserving the link between past and present. The absence of a tachometer is almost poetic; the deep, intoxicating rumble of the Hellcat V8 supplies all the rev information a driver could ask for.
Performance Perspective: Driving a 707-HP Classic SUV
With the heart of a modern muscle car, this Trail Duster restomod isn’t just a showpiece—it’s an absolute powerhouse. The Hellcat engine transforms the laid-back cruiser into a performance beast that can out-accelerate most sports cars, yet retains the Trail Duster’s unshakeable off-road credentials thanks to four-wheel drive, rugged axles, and a trail-ready transfer case.
The reinforced frame and updated suspension give a sense of control rarely attained in vintage SUVs. Whether you're blasting down the highway or crawling over rocky terrain, the powertrain’s seamless integration leaves no doubt: this is what a classic American SUV can become with visionary engineering.
Comparisons and Market Placement: Where the Trail Duster Stands Today
In the landscape of American restomod SUVs, the 1979 Plymouth Trail Duster stands apart. Rivals like the first-generation Ford Bronco restomods and even some vintage Blazer builds draw attention, but few can boast Mopar heritage combined with Hellcat firepower.
As classic SUV restomods surge in popularity, vehicles like this one demonstrate the value of total transformation—complete frame-off restoration, modern engineering, and timeless design. The rarity and pedigree of the Trail Duster, especially in this custom guise, make it more than a collector's item; it’s the ultimate dream machine for Mopar devotees and classic SUV enthusiasts alike.
Cost to Build and Collectability
Building a restomod of this magnitude is no small feat—nor is it an entry-level investment. The Hellcat drivetrain alone commands around $30,000. Add in the painstaking hours for chassis fabrication, wiring, interior and exterior refinishing, assembly, and regulatory inspections, and the final tally can easily reach several hundred thousand dollars. Such craftsmanship can't be rushed—unlike production shops with massive scale, Horsepower Northwest prioritizes quality over speed, making each commission worth the wait.
Conclusion: The Future of American Restomod SUVs
The 1979 Plymouth Trail Duster restomod is more than a retro tribute—it’s a beacon of what’s possible in the high-end custom SUV world. Uniting classic design, automotive nostalgia, and state-of-the-art performance, it propels vintage Mopar legacy into a new era. For those passionate about automotive innovation and heritage, this Hellcat-powered Trail Duster raises the bar for what a classic SUV can achieve, making it one of the most exciting and exclusive builds on the modern classic car scene.
Source: autoevolution
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