If there is one thing that all car guys think about and remember fondly, it’s our first car. While reminiscing about the good old days, we usually tend to disregard the shortcoming that original ride possessed in order to focus on the great times it delivered. Unfortunately for most, that first ride is nothing more than those great memories. Many times, life intervenes and requires changes that result in that car moving on. However, there are also many enthusiasts who still have their first car and they are able to ensure the memories keep coming. Take for instance young Donald Maurice and his 1970 Plymouth Duster.

I found Donald and his A-Body while searching for a StreetMuscleMag.com “Editor’s Pick” at the 2024 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals. Each year, I select a car that epitomizes a true enthusiast. While some prefer to find that over-the-top hot rod, I am not necessarily looking for a Best Of Show winner, but rather, one that the owner has personally poured his or her heart and soul into.

This year, when I talked to Donald about his Duster, I immediately knew I found my choice. This is not to say that Donald’s car is not a great looking ride, as one look at the images and we can all see that it is. This little A-Body is right at home on any showfield, cruise night, or Sunday drive.

Donald told me that he has owned this 1970 Duster since he was 13 years old. “Growing up, I’ve always been a fan of Mopar,” he says. “I found this car in a field in upstate New York. Okay. “I picked it up, and then it sat in the backyard for a couple years before I could get started working on it. I was going to build a drag car, but then started getting into it and I liked it too much to cut it up.”

Now in his mid-20s, he and his Duster have definitely spent a lot of time together. “The car was pretty rusty when I found it,” he says. “It was an original car, so like all of them, it was Flintstone floorboards, dented quarter panels, rotted wheel wells, you know, a typical old car.”

The rebuild was a long process, but Donald told me that other than painting the car, reupholstering the seats, and the engine rebuild, he handled the as much of the resurrection as possible, himself. “I had somebody paint it, but I did the body work and got it 90 percent of the way, and then had the body guy finish it off and spray it.

I asked if he did anything special to the engine during the rebuild, and he says it’s a basic overhaul of the numbers-matching 318 and the factory-installed three speed transmission. In a strange twist, it does have an 8-3/4 rear under it.

“Yeah, it’s kind of an uncommon setup, but yeah, it’s a fun car,” Donald quips.

It’s great to know the hobby is in good hands with true, young enthusiasts like Donald. By the way, not only did Donald get the StreetMuscleMag.com selection, but the Duster also took Second Place in the Stock ’70-’71 A-Body class. That makes this one really cool ride.