Plymouth introduced a very popular car in 1970, the Duster. It was a fastback version of the Valiant, designed to appeal to younger buyers. The ploy worked, the car sold well, and Dodge quickly wanted a version of their own. So, the (Dart) Demon debuted the following year, and the name was a staple for just two years. The seller has a nice 1971 Demon that was built with a 318 cubic inch V8 and a factory 4-speed. With recent improvements, it’s a nice driver quality Mopar, at a minimum. Located in Deer Park, New York, this Dodge is available here on craigslist for $22,500.
The 1971-72 Demon was a Duster with a Dart front clip and different taillights. Lore has it that the Dodge Boys caught some grief from the clergy over the name, so the vehicles became the Dart Sport in 1973 (not as rebellious). Yet the name would reappear as a Dodge Challenger in 2018 (haven’t heard of any protests about that). While a good many Demons left the factory with a Slant-Six, this one was built with a 318, and the seller believes it may be the original engine. For those Demon buyers who wanted more, there was also the 340.
In the listing for this car, the seller makes a big deal out of it being a “real deal LL car.” Yet all that code does is to identify the car as an actual Demon 2-door sport coupe in the low-price class. Maybe I’m missing something, but why is that important? The car may already be trying to masquerade as a Demon 340, though the seller has a set of decals to be installed that would further that image.
We’re told that the paint job is about three years old and looks great sans a small ding or two. More recent work includes the brakes, distributor, tune-up, carburetor (rebuild?), and a headliner in the passenger compartment. It drives like it should, making for a solid 55-year-old Mopar. The seller has a video he/she can provide and will consider trades, but will only communicate via phone. No emails. Thanks for the tip, Tony Primo!
Deer Park LI, NY. I remember heading down to the Channel Home Improvement Store on Deer Park Ave (SR 231) in the early 1980’s, on Friday and Saturday nights. Every hot car on Long Island, would meet up there and hang out in the parking lot. There was always a race to be had and they would race up north at the corner of Vanderbilt Pkwy and 231. It was a 2 lane road in each direction and no side streets for over 1/2 a mile heading north. Someone painted a white line in the road indicating 1/4 mile. Fond memories…………