Dodge Demon
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Dodge introduced the Demon as a corporate twin to the successful Plymouth Duster, and even though the Demon was a decent seller, it wasn't nearly as popular as the Duster. Like the Duster was a fastback coupe version of the humble Valiant, the Demon was a likewise fastback coupe version of the equally-humble Dart, borrowing its front end sheetmetal from the windshield forward, but with its own distinctive styling in the rear. The Demon would be renamed Dart Sport in 1973 and would continue until the A-bodies were cancelled in 1976 in favor of the new F-body Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare that were introduced that same year.
| {{{Image}}} | |
| Dodge Demon/Dart Sport | |
|---|---|
| Dodge | |
| Production: | Demon 1971-1972 Dart Sport 1973-1976 |
| Class: | Compact |
| Body Style: | 2-door Coupe |
| Length: | 200.3" |
| Width: | 71.8" |
| Height: | 53.1" |
| Wheelbase: | 108" |
| Weight: | 3200-3500 lbs |
| Transmissions: | 3-Speed Manual RWD 4-Speed Manual RWD 3-Speed Automatic, RWD |
| Engines: | 3.2L (198 cid) I6 (1971-1973) 3.7L (225 cid) I6 (1971-1976) 5.2L (318 cid) V8 (1971-1976) 5.5L (340 cid) V8 (1971-1973) 5.9L (360 cid) V8 (1974-1975) |
| Power: | 90-275 hp |
| Similar: | Plymouth Duster |
| Platform | A |
Demon (1971-1972)
After seeing the success Plymouth had with the Duster in its inaugural year, Dodge decided it needed a similar version for the Dart. And so, after placing a Dart front end on a Duster with different taillights (horizontally sectioned instead of vertically on the Duster), the Demon was born. Like the Duster, the Demon's personality ranged anywhere from mild-mannered to downright ferocious. Like the Dart Swinger coupe, the Demon also rode its smaller 108" wheelbase as opposed to the 4-door sedan's 111" wheelbase. Base engine was the 3.2L (198 cid) Slant-6, with the far more popular 145 hp 225 cid Slant-6 as an option (and for all intents and purposes, this was the true base engine). The 230 hp 5.2L (318 cid) V8 was another popular option, and the hot high-winding 275 hp 5.5L (340 cid) V8 was standard on the Demon 340. The Demon 340 had a small red devil-shaped figure with a pitchfork as its logo. Transmission choices were a 3- or 4-speed manual, or a 3-speed automatic, and could be had with any engine. Naturally the Demon shared the Dart's interior, but the Demon 340 could have the round-gauged dashboard with the 150 MPH speedo that was available on the Swinger 340 a year earlier (and also shared with the Duster 340).
1972 Demons got a new grille that was no longer divided in the middle that featured smaller, square turn signal lenses that were rounded off at the edges. Rear end styling stayed the same. Side marker lights were now larger and more pronounced. Drivetrain choices remained the same, but this year horsepower ratings were rated at net instead of gross, so horsepower rating dropped on all engines as a result. The 225 Slant-6 was now rated at 110 hp, the 318 at 150, and the 340 at 240. The Demon (along with the Dart) now shared the Valiant's dashboard this year. Base models and Demon 340 models continued as before, but the Duster continued to outsell the Demon by a considerable margin.
Dart Sport (1973-1976)
The Demon was renamed Dart Sport this year, bowing to pressures from various religious groups around the U.S. (mainly in the southeastern U.S.) who objected to the use of the "Demon" name. Since the Demon name was dropped, that spelled the end of the little red devil cartoon figure too. The Dart Sport got another new nose this year with a larger front bumper to comply with the new federal bumper safety standards this year. The front end now came to a small point in the middle, and contained a new grille and slimmer rectangular turn signals beside the headlights. The taillights were now 2 separate squares for the running/brake and reverse lights. All drivetrain choices continued as before, the 340 was still available but there was never an official "Dart Sport 340" model. The back seat now had a fold-down option that greatly improved cargo space.
There weren't many changes at all in 1974 other than the 340 was discontinued and replaced with the larger 5.9L (360 cid) V8. The all-but-invisible 198 Slant Six was also dropped, so the engine choices were the 225 Slant-6, 318 and 360 V8s. 3- and 4-speed manuals were available on all but the 360, which wasn't available with the 3-speed. A 3-speed automatic was available on all engines. An interesting Hang-10 package became available this year that had special striping and decals, an optional manual canvas sunroof and fold-down rear seatback (to better accomodate the surfboards, of course). All Hang-10s had white paint, white interior with multi-colored woven vinyl inserts, and orange shag carpeting (hey, it was the '70s), and could have any engine or transmission that the Demon offered, including the 360.
1975 Dart Sports got another new nose treatment with a blacked-out grille with horizontal bars. Catalytic converters became standard on some cars this year depending on where it was sold, mandating the use of unleaded gasoline. All engines and transmission choices continued, and the unique Hang-10 package hung in there for one more year. In 1976, the 360 was discontinued, making the 318 the top engine option. There was an interesting Dart Lite model that had the Slant-6 engine with ultra-tall rear end gearing with other lightweight items installed in the quest for achieving better fuel economy (similar to Plymouth's Feather Duster). The Hang-10 package, however, was dropped as the Dart Sport's tenure was coming to a close at the end of this year along with the other Chrysler A-bodies. The new F-body Aspen would replace the Dart, but there would be no direct replacement for the Dart Sport.
Future Demons
In 2007, Dodge resurrected the Demon name on a 2-seat concept car that would, if produced, compete on a level with the Mazda Miata and Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky twins. Since Dodge took so much flak for the use of the Demon name back in the early 70's by various religious coalitions, it's rather odd that it would use it again, especially in today's politically-correct litigious society... but time will tell if the car is produced if Dodge will continue to use the Demon name, or bow to pressure again from the "PC police" and change it again.
See the Dodge Demon Concept entry for more information about the Demon Concept.
