Small-Block or Big-Block, That is the Question: 1971 Dodge Demon Race Car

As the year comes to a close and 2018 inches closer and closer, my thoughts turn to what cars I want to build up next year. Sure, I have cars that I alfready own that are ahead of everything else in terms of future automotive builds, but I do keep a close eye out for cars that pique my interest. This 1971 Dodge Demon race car caught my eye when I saw it online, especially since it was originally a Demon 340 but ran a 426 Hemi when it drag raced. Find it here on Craigslist in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, with an asking price of $2,500. 

Though today's Dodge Demon is essentially a street-legal race car based off of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, in 1971 the Dodge Demon was the kissing cousin to the Plymouth Duster. Essentially a rebadged Duster with minor differences, the Demon, much like the Duster, was only available as a two-door hardtop. While Dodge offered trim packages like the Sizzler as an insurance-friendly appearance package, the truly hot-to-trot performance model was the Demon 340. Much like the Duster 340, the Demon 340 used Chrysler's venerable high-performance small-block 340 (still rated at 275 horsepower despite a compression reduction) and offered a unique appearance package. This 1971 Dodge Demon was originally a 340 car, but was modified to a race car in the 1980s. Currently painted black with gray stripes, the car was drag raced in the 1980s down in Gainesville, Florida. The seller bought it some time afterward (I'm guessing either in the late 1980s or the early 1990s) and I'm guessing planned to either restore it or build it up as a racer again, but time and interest waned, and the car has sat in the seller's garage for the past 20 years. With the exception of the rear wheel wells being cut out for most likely the fitment of slicks, the body appears to be in good shape, with little to no rust. There are a few racing decals left on the car, so I think a restoration to a period race livery would be the best option for this car. I'm thinking the Tennessee Thunder Demon, John Petrie's Demon, and Mr. Norm's Super Demon race cars would be good cars for inspiration in terms of restoring this car.

As previously mentioned, this Demon left from the factory with the 275 horsepower 340 small-block, but when the car was drag raced in the 1980s, a 426 Hemi was utilized. Unfortunately, that engine is now long gone too, and the original four speed was replaced with an automatic (most likely the 727 Torqueflite), which is also long gone. On the plus side, the original 8 3/4 open spool rear end is still fitted, and many of the race parts on the suspension are still there too. The purist in me says to source a 340 and four speed and restore this car back to stock, but I personally would source a 426 Hemi or 440 Six Pack and A833 heavy-duty four speed manual and build this car either back to a race car or a Pro-Street car.

Surprisingly the most complete part of the car is the interior, with many of its race pieces still in there. The dash and period race seat are still fitted and in decent condition, and even the roll cage looks good. The steering wheel and column have seen better days, however, and the floor either appears to be fiberglass or metal with the carpet glue still on it. The air cleaner appears to have been from a big-block 440, and the box on the passenger-side floor appears to have been the ignition system from when the car was raced. I would restore the interior similar to the Tennessee Thunder Demon, including the fitment of a similar seat on the passenger side. Though restoring this car will be a big undertaking, this Dodge Demon race car would be a great project for anyone, and I think restoring this car to a racer and lining it up next to the new Demon would be *wait for it* legendary. What are your thoughts on this Dodge Demon race car.