After 46 bids, the reserve on this 1972 Dodge Demon 340 was not met at $61k. The orange and black beauty was part of a four-year refurbishing project that started in 2018. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it's vital to note that yes, of course it features the Demon 340 badge. Otherwise, what would have been the point of such a long project?
The model was first delivered to Mr. Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge dealership in Chicago, Illinois, which some consider a rite of passage. It cost $3,600 back then, which, adjusted for inflation, would come close to $27,000 in 2024.
The 340-ci engine was rebuilt and features three Holley two-barrel carbs, an Edelbrock intake manifold and cylinder heads. The result might look as fine as wine, but the process was long and arduous. They tore the poor thing apart, fixed every nut and bolt, and put it back together like nobody's business.
However, one important and peculiar note is that the fuel gauge is not working. You'd think that after four years, they'd fix one of the most important elements of a car: displaying how long you can drive it. Can you imagine if there was a similar error for electric vehicles?
The Demon 340 is also equipped with a QA1 front suspension, power-assisted front disc brakes, a four-speed manual gearbox and a Sure-Grip differential with 3.91:1 gearing, limited slip differential, a pretty "gnarly" rear wing, Rallye-inspired 14" wheels, a cool-sounding dual exhaust system with long-tube headers, and most important of all... a bada** hood scoop.
According to the auction site, the total bills for the refurbishment performed at Wilson Auto Repair of Garland, Texas add up to more than $210,000.
Photo: bringatrailer.com
It only has 400 miles or 643.7 kilometers on the odometer situated just behind the three-spoke steering wheel. While we know the post-resurrection mileage, the complete history of how long it traveled has been lost to the elements.
The world greeted the Demon back in '71 as Dodge attempted to take on the Plymouth Valiant Scamp. The Dart Demon didn't set the world on fire, but it also didn't lack power, thanks to its 340-cubic-inch V8 that delivered 275 horsepower or 279 ps.
It's almost nothing compared to a modern-day Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 that can explode down the quarter-mile due to its 6.2-liter HEMI V8 with a three-liter supercharger that ups the power up to 1,025 hp (1,039 ps) when fueled with 60% ethanol-gasoline.
Dodge brags that their Demon 170 can finish the 1/4-mile in 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph or 243.2 kph and hit 60 mph in a whiplashing 1.66 seconds. This feat doesn't really come as an out-of-the-blue surprise, given that it can produce 945 lb-ft or 1,281 Nm of torque. On regular 10% ethanol fuel, it's no slouch either, capable of producing 900 hp (912 ps) and 810 lb-ft or 1,098 Nm of torque.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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