On this special episode of Dead Dodge Garage, I sit down with my friend Dale to talk about the car he custom ordered from a Dodge dealer, owned for 51 years, and drag raced almost from new – a 1971 Dodge Demon 340, which I now own and call “Dale’s Demon.” Of the ~2500 cars built, how many original paint, under 100k mile four speed ’71 Demon 340s could be left out there? And out of those, how many original owners are still around to tell their stories? I don’t know, but it can’t be very many – so to be able to sit down with Dale and hear the history of this car is something very special indeed.
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My first car was a 73 or 74 duster, not sure, it was metallic brown with cream interior, 3 on the tree, 318 and I was surprised how well it did grab while taking off, but at about 90mp it got scary the front end floated up high and started shaking…… front end probably needed rebuilding….
How much did it cost in 1971?
Pardon my French, but this interview is freaking invaluable. Incredible to get an original owner, who special ordered, this gorgeous car. Outstanding!
Jamie Thanks so much for bringing Dale on to your show that was the best! Your car is so very special and the history of this Demon means it's gotta pedigree takes it to another level of very special, and it doesn't get better than that.
Great story and great choice of a car. A 340 4-speed has got to be a thrill to drive.
Often wondered why you always refered it as "Dales Demon". He's definitely one of a kind & a wonderful person. Congratulations Jammie on your find. The passion you have for this awesome ride is outstanding, you deserve it! I set up my Duster as close to The Bible as a 19 year olds budget could and it flat out WORKED. My Duster was a '72 Twister that the previous owner swapped a 340 4 Speed in. Tor Red, ladder hood stripe, 15×8 Cragars with L 60s & 14×6s in the front
Jamie and Dale thank you very much for the show and the entertainment and don't restore it you're only original once
Super nice story!
My 69 Charger (383) has the original Borg & Beck clutch. Let me tell you, it's ridiculously heavy!
This was very important to document this rare car with the original owner.
That's a great video!!! You will be able not look back and memories of this. You have gold here!!!! Its worth so much more than money!!! You have history here!!!!!
What a great story. Well worth watching. Thank you.
What a great story! Knowing the entire history of the car is really special. I wish I had that opportunity with my Coronet (also a '71), but having saved it from a wrecking yard, no history available.
Jamie, I'm going to ask my brother-in-law if he knows Dale as he was the manager at SIR for many years. Dale may have been a bit before that though.
What an awesome story about an awesome car. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. Hats off to Dale!
What a Cool video. Almost impossible to find and talk to an original owner of a car, especially a Mopar. Very Lucky.
How Cool is That?!
About as good as it gets in the "cool car" universe!
Such a cool story, thanks for sharing
You are the perfect care taker for this car. The Mopar Bible in a binder. When I saw that I'm thinking why is it twice as thick as my manual. LOL. Actually put some thought into this comment. Back in the early 70's I first saw a blue with black stripes Demon. Small town in Saskatchewan. The grille, tail lights, and Demon decal caught my attention. There was also a black Monaco 68 ish, with dark blue velvet button tucked dash and seats. I was a pre teen, not into cars. Those two cars for some reason are stuck in my head.
Such a awesome history lesson.
What an amazing story !! To have such complete history on a car is awesome , 1 in a million car
Super video. These stories are what makes these cars what they are! It's awesome he is still around to see it get a next great home ! Car stories always carry so much more meaning than just the cars themselves, but what happened with them, and too them. Priceless Sir !
Thank you both for this. Simply amazing.
What a wonderful story – and the stories are really more important to me than the cars themselves, truth
be told. Yeah, I've had hot rods for decades (thought I'm 20 years behind Dale) but it's as much about
history and car tales for me as it has been about making my own stories in whatever car I've got at the time.
Cars back then were created by humans, owned by humans, were a big part of human lives….
Thank you for recognizing that and wanting to become the next steward of Dale's Demon, Jamie.
Speaks volumes as to where your heart is, so good on ya!
– Ed on the Ridge
You treat fake with so much respect ,,, I love it. I wish all the youth of today wer same way. Peace bro
I know nothing about muscle cars or racing but I could listen to Dale’s stories for hours. Thanks for sharing his history with the car
That's a great story..But I could think of a better guy to own that Demon,cough..cough..Yeah it's ME lol…
My Uncle is the original owner of a 330,000 mile 1970 'Cuda 440 6 barrel..Car was never fully restored,never needed to be. In 1982 at 260,000 miles he rebuilt the engine ,seat recovered and new paint (my cousin repainted it again in/around 2005)looks and drives like new! My uncle is is 87 years young and bought it brand new in the summer of 1970.
He ran high 11's two weeks after he bought it new..walking it out he ran low-mid 12's not flooring it until 25-30 mph..Last time it was on the track was 20 years ago and still ran low 12's in street trim walking it out,(still a easy 11 second car if it hooked or tried to race it but it was never a race car,just a very quick daily driver)that guy still can drive real good today even at 87 he rolls around in a 2020 Power Wagon as his daily driver zero scratches or dents,guy drives better than I do!!
Cool video
ty for great episode!
well done Dale
This has been the most enjoyable history lesson that I've been able to witness. Thanks to the both of you!!!
Awesome episode! Thank you so much for taking the time to do it!
It was an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity To ride in that car. What an epic experience. Awesome history!!! Thank you again my friends.
TAKE THE TOW BAR JAMIE! TALK TO HIS DAUGHTER NEXT!!! GREAT TO HEAR THE STORY OF DALE'S DEMON!!!
Great video, love the whole story .
Best curb I've had on a 340 was the 780 holly little engine love fuel
I have some parts of the direct connection stuff but not a whole book like that