Selwyn Times: August 29, 2018

30 Wednesday August 29 2018
Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
MY PRIDE AND JOY
SELWYN TIMES
For the love of Betty
Thomas Costello has owned more than one Plymouth Duster; the
first when living in Hawaii when he met his wife Leanne in 1991.
His interest in the car was rekindled five years ago
when Thomas purchased a 1974 Plymouth Duster.
“I watched it on TradeMe for around eighteen
months until a ‘buy now’ price tempted me,” explains
Thomas.
Thomas and Leanne love their Plymouth, reminding
them of when they first met.
The Plymouth is powered by a 410 Small Block Indy
headed stroker motor with 727 automatic transmission
and 3000 stall running through an 8¾ rear end
differential, 3.23 ratio and trutrac centre and is fitted
with 275/60/15 tyres.
“It’s loud and aggressive,” says Thomas, who found
the car’s restoration to be a great family project with his
sons helping recondition and enhance the motor and
rebuild the suspension
The Plymouth has an imitation snakeskin vinyl
rooftop and its original paintwork (complete with
dents, dings and scratches), and is nicknamed ‘Brown
Betty’ due to its colour, a name that has caught on with
friends who call her ‘Betty’.
It has a tidy interior while the dashboard has been
refurbished and the automatic transmission mounted
on the floor, as opposed to the original column gear
change.
“I’ve had a couple of manual floor mounted
Plymouths, which are probably worth more, however,
the Duster has sentimental value and is a fun car,”
explains Thomas who says the family love cruising in
it.
“My eldest son is tall so prefers driving the Plymouth
rather than accessing the back seat where there’s only
room for two. The front bench has seatbelts for three.”
The whole rear seat back can pack down flat
making room for skis or surfboards. This feature was
introduced in 1973, with only around 300 made with
this option in 1974.
Most weekends, the family head out in ‘Betty’.
“There’s no point owning a special car if you don’t
drive and enjoy it,” suggests Thomas, who thinks his
Plymouth Duster may currently be the only one in
Canterbury as it is usually one of a kind at car events,
although at Caroline Bay it had the company of a
Plymouth Duster from Dunedin.
“People love its uniqueness and appreciate the work
that’s gone into the car.”
Thomas and the boys have taken the car around the
circuit as well as down the ¼ mile at Ruapuna. They
have also made many like-minded friends who helped
and encouraged Thomas during its restoration.
This kind of support is the reason Thomas and others
from the Selwyn Petrolheads are assisting with another
Selwyn Motor Fest, where the 1974 Plymouth Duster
will also be on show.
With the support of the Selwyn District Council,
this event will be held on Sunday, 25th November,
from 10am until 3pm (on the same site as last year -
opposite Rolleston College). If wishing to be involved
as a sponsor or exhibitor, contact selwynmotorfest@
gmail.com.
3 TRUCKS
3 CARS
3 LUBES
3 SERVICING
3 FLEET WORK
3 BOATS
3 DIESEL INJECTOR
3 & PUMP SERVICING
3 ENGINE TUNING
3 BRAKES
3 MAXXIS TYRES
3 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS
3 BATTERIES
3 WOFs
3 CAMBELTS
AND MUCH
MORE!
Mon-Fri 6.45am-6pm,
Sat 8am-12 noon (WOFs only)
839 Jones Road, Rolleston P.O. Box 16 Rolleston
Phone Simon on 347 7110 or Mobile 027 272 9213