What was Dodges version of the Plymouth Duster?
The Plymouth Duster, a popular compact car from the 1970s, was known for its sporty design and affordability. Dodge, Plymouth's sibling brand under the Chrysler Corporation, offered its own version of this iconic vehicle. In this article, we’ll explore Dodge’s counterpart to the Plymouth Duster and what made it unique.
The Dodge Demon: A Sporty Sibling
Dodge's version of the Plymouth Duster was called the Dodge Demon. Introduced in 1971, the Demon shared the same A-body platform as the Duster, making it mechanically similar. However, Dodge gave the Demon its own distinct identity with unique styling cues and branding.
Key Features of the Dodge Demon
The Dodge Demon was designed to appeal to younger buyers looking for a sporty yet affordable car. Here are some of its standout features:
- Distinctive Styling: The Demon featured a unique grille, taillights, and badging, including a playful devil-themed logo that set it apart from the Duster.
- Engine Options: Like the Duster, the Demon offered a range of engine choices, from economical slant-six engines to powerful V8s, including the 340-cubic-inch V8 that made it a true muscle car contender.
- Affordable Performance: The Demon was marketed as a budget-friendly performance car, making it accessible to a wide range of buyers.
Controversy and Name Change
Despite its popularity, the Dodge Demon faced some controversy due to its name and devil-themed branding, which some groups found offensive. As a result, Dodge rebranded the Demon as the Dodge Dart Sport in 1973, effectively ending the Demon nameplate for that era.
Legacy of the Dodge Demon
Although the original Dodge Demon was short-lived, it left a lasting impression on the muscle car world. Decades later, Dodge revived the Demon name for the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, a high-performance modern muscle car that paid homage to its 1970s predecessor.
In conclusion, the Dodge Demon was Dodge's answer to the Plymouth Duster, offering similar performance and affordability with its own unique flair. Its legacy continues to resonate with car enthusiasts today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Barracuda?
From 1970 to 1974, generation three of the Barracuda was based on Chrysler's E-body platform which also supported the 1970-1974 Dodge Challenger.
What is the Plymouth version of the Dodge Colt?
The Dodge Colt is a subcompact car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors and marketed by Dodge for model years 1971 to 1994 as a captive import. Rebadged variants included the Plymouth Champ and Plymouth Colt, both were marketed by Plymouth.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Laser?
The 2-door hatchback was based on the Dodge Daytona model prior to the name badge moving, to the Plymouth brand. Commercials for the 1990 Laser featured R&B singer Tina Turner who appeared in a series of 1990 promotional ads for Plymouth.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Horizon?
Dodge Omni
| Dodge Omni & Plymouth Horizon | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chrysler Corporation American Motors (1985–1987) |
| Also called | Plymouth Horizon Plymouth Expo (Canada) |
| Production | December 5, 1977 – February 2, 1990 |
| Model years | 1978–1990 |
Was there a Dodge Duster?
The Duster was a success for Plymouth, so much so that in 1971 Dodge requested and received their own version, the Demon.
Why is the Dodge Demon illegal?
It's so fast the NHRA has banned it
Yep, because of that outrageous quarter-mile time, the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) has banned the Dodge Demon for being too damn fast.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Fury?
The 1978 was the last model year for the Plymouth Fury and its Dodge Monaco counterpart, which was renamed as such during the start of the previous model year (1977), which, in turn, was called the "Dodge Coronet" (1965, 1966, and 1967, from 1968 until 1974, and from 1975 through 1976), while the former full-size C- ...
Is a Dodge Demon a Duster?
Demons and Dusters were basically the exact same car, the Mopar A-body, albeit with very slightly different front end treatment and unique-to-the-brand taillights. Available starting March 1, 1971, a Sizzler “trim package” became available to add some spice to the line.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Scamp?
Dodge Rampage
The Dodge Rampage was a subcompact unibody coupe utility based on Chrysler's L platform and manufactured and marketed from 1982 to 1984 model years. Plymouth marketed a rebadged variant for model year 1983, as the Scamp.
What is the Plymouth version of the Dodge Omni?
The Dodge Omni and the nearly identical badge engineered variant, the Plymouth Horizon, is a subcompact car manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Corporation for model years 1978-1990.
