In 1970, Plymouth rolled out a fastback version of its Valiant compact to add some pizzazz to its line-up. Named the Duster, it was similar in concept to the Ford Maverick, which had come out the year before. And it sold like hotcakes. So, it’s no surprise that Dodge wanted a version of the Duster for itself and the Dart-derivative, the Demon, was born the following year. The name was changed to the Dart Sport in 1973 because parties in the church community took umbrage to the name Demon. This 1971 Demon has the Sizzler option package (more on that later) but has been left in a yard to deteriorate minus its drivetrain and front clip. It sits in Opelika, Alabama waiting for someone to save it and is available here on eBay where 14 bids are sitting at just $530 with a reserve still to be met.
Just as the Duster was a Valiant forward of the windshield, the Demon had the same association with the Dart. It was compact car that had sportier looks compared to the Dart Swinger two-door hardtop. The underpinnings were classic Dart, using unibody construction as it’s brethren had since 1967. These were economy cars that could be dressed up and were popular with the youth movement when a 340 V-8 was under the hood (Slant Six was standard equipment on the Demon).
In 1971, Dodge built about 80,000 Demons, including some 10,000 Demon 340s for those who wanted to go fast on a budget. Lesser known is how many Demons were built with the Sizzler package like this car – estimates range from as low as 1,200 to as many as 3,400. So, a Demon Sizzler would be a tad rare and potentially desirable these days – especially if it were a complete car. This one is not. It left the factory with the 225 cubic inch six-cylinder and automatic transmission, not as sought after as any V-8 with a manual transmission. The engine is gone and so is the tranny. And someone helped themselves to the front sheet metal, as well, so no hood, fenders, or front bumper.
If you checked the option box for the Sizzler Package, you got a dress-up option on the base Demon, adding some of the Demon 340’s appearance and trim pieces. It was marketed to sporty car folks who were more interested in looks than speed. The package included rallye wheels (gone on the seller’s car), color-keyed grille collar (also gone), body side tape stripes and a black hood treatment (what hood?). You also got dual, color-keyed outside racing mirrors, a “Tuff” racing-type steering wheel, carpeting and combination plaid cloth and vinyl bench seats (latter two also gone).
What’s left of the car has got a good case of the rust blight. That would include the lower quarter panels, holes in the passenger floorboard and more in the trunk floor. A photo underneath the car from the rear shows a lot of crusty material and shocks that are simply dangling to make trailer transport easier. Back in the day, the Medium Green Poly paint probably looked pretty sharp, but sadly no longer.
Given that a lot of what the Sizzler was about has flown the coop and what’s left of the car itself is compromised, I’m not sure that the Sizzler package is a selling point now. You would spend a fortune trying to rebuild this car to factory fresh and – if you were staying true to form – you’d put a 225 back under the hood. To me, this one has parts car written on it and there’s not much there to pick. Also, the seller informs us that the car has no title as Alabama is a bill of sale state and titles are not required on vehicles 35 years or older.
That $530 bid is right on the money. A car that started out as nothing special and then was stripped of almost anything that was easy to wrench out of there, I’m surprised the doors and trunk lid aren’t gone too along with the title.
The most interesting thing about is wondering what this guy considers for a reserve $
As of now the high bid is over $700.
If I were him I’d drop the reserve prior to the end of the auction. As of now he’s, getting paid fairly well for his rusty stripped parts car and that is now going to be towed away at no cost to him. That’s a win for him, any way you look at it.
Steve R
people forget that you can change the K member and put just about anything you want in these cars?
Can’t believe the steering wheel’s still there,it’s called a rim-blow,highly sought after by Mopar fans
That’s a sad sight . I love Mopars ,that needs a lot of love to get back on the road
I’ve never seen a dash that toasted.
When I was a teenager in the 1980’s, I knew an old lady from my church named Helen that had a ’71 Demon, same color as this. It was not a “sizzler”, but this sure reminds me of her car. I liked that car a lot!
Yeah, this one is an overpriced parts car, way overpriced if shipping is involved. I would pass on it.
Lol I may be the owner of that car! Where were you located. I bought it in Hemet CA, complete with Jesus Saves license plate frames.
I may have bought Helens Demon? I bought it in Hemet CA. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010688522458
Looks like all the sizzle is gone, more like a fizzler at the moment.
“Demon Sizzler”??
Sound like a buffet from Hell.
Not even a parts car……a dollar a hundred weight would be fair.
Fresh u bolts on rear axle. What’s up with that
I don’t think a junkyard would pay anything for it!
Figures somebody would be offended by the “Demon” tag, years later some females were offended by the Ford Probe model name… Made me wonder about Fords expert marketing….oh well.
The Dodge Sizzler, dodge Magnum, anything but Dart Sport. I can think of all kinds of new names and it Will offend somebody. This one here is long gone dead, as stated above it’s been all sizzled out.
I don’t remember “Tuff” steering wheels in 1971, am I wrong here, or was it an after market item from more recent years? As far as the Demon name being offensive to the religious right, I do not remember that being a problem here in Minnesota. We tend to be pretty tolerant, and fear real demonic people and ideas, not just a silly name. It goes to show, some people have too much time on their hands.
More like brainwashed religious fanatics.
It’s good for parts about it & especially if you have one & need another to complete it
You can fix anything now thanks to AMD and if a Demon is what you want they are hard to find
Grave Yard cars would have trouble with this one…
Could be worse it could have been named: Swinger Sport!!!!!!
Why bother.
Wonder where you find the frontend . Motor Trans ,Dash ,Seats other than that…
Should be easy ..
In the words of Sleepy Joe build back better..
any 4 door Dart of the same vintage would work ; find one with a 318 and you have everything you need to swap it to the Demon
What are 2 doors and a trunk worth?
That poor thing would look much better as an I-Beam !!
please do it a favor and …. Let it go !!
… set it free to become something better !
Possibly a $2,000 rim-blow steering wheel(according to Mark Worman)
Its not a rim blow steering wheel , its a Tuff wheel . The outside was a hard foam which tended to deteriorate after a while, which is probably why it has the brown wrap on it.
I can’t understand why there is a reserve on a rusty roller with no motor, no transmission, no front clip, no interior!!!!! What is the value of the glass????
The proper description is: ” Tuff Wheel:”. It is not a rim blow wheel. There is some kind of funky cover on the wheel. The ” BLOW” feature is in the center cap of wheel. Same Tuff Wheel as was used in 1978 Dodge Little Red Express Pick Up Trucks, More than likely the cover material of wheel is rotten just like the Dash Pad on this car..
Just a quick glance….are the quarters rust free….there’s the money in the body – front clips are some what easy to find off a 4 door. Looks just like my 1971 340 Demon…..
decent