1972 · Dodge · United States

The Demon's Last Year Under That Name

The Demon's second and final year under that name: 8,773 Demon 340s, with small Canadian and Swiss-market 340 runs counted separately.

United States · researched through 2026-09-23

Red 1972 Dodge Demon 340 with black side stripes and the hood raised over its 340 V8
1972 Dodge Demon 340 in red with the hood open Photo: Bull-Doser, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Demon's second year was also its last under that name; a Govier/Consumer Guide compilation counts 8,773 Demon 340s for 1972, alongside 30 Canadian Swinger 340 Specials and 40 Swiss-market Demon 340s, with the source not stating whether either of those two smaller foreign-market runs is already folded into the 8,773 US figure or sits entirely outside it. MuscleCarClub separately gives a rounded 8,700, a figure this record treats as a rounding of the more precise compilation rather than a third competing count.1,2

Flory's reference book independently prints 8,700 for the Demon 340 under style number LM29, matching MuscleCarClub's rounded figure rather than the compilation's more precise 8,773; this record shows both the 8,773 and 8,700 as disputed rather than assuming Flory's number is simply another instance of the same rounding. Flory separately gives 39,880 for the base Demon under style LL29, and summing his own two rows yields 48,580, a total this record computes itself and marks as estimated, carrying forward the same 8,700-versus-8,773 dispute since it uses Flory's own disputed figure for the 340 line.3,1

The 340 itself is described, in a source not tied to a factory specification sheet, as rated 240 hp net at 8.5:1 compression on a ThermoQuad four-barrel, with a cast crankshaft introduced from April 11, 1972; Dodge's own 1972 catalogue separately confirms the 8.5:1 compression figure and lists a 3.23:1 standard axle ratio for the 340, optional up to 3.55:1 with Sure Grip. Standard equipment on the Dart Demon 340 specifically ran to the 340 four-barrel, hood and side/rear deck tape stripes, heavy-duty Rallye suspension, E70 x 14 bias-belted tires, electronic ignition, and a fully synchronized three-speed floor-mounted manual as the base transmission.1

Selected options restricted to Demon models included hood scoops with a hood blackout treatment, dual outside racing mirrors, a folding sun roof, and, on the Demon 340 specifically, a four-speed manual transmission; Rallye wheels with chrome trim rings and a Sure Grip differential were catalogued more broadly. An Interior Decor Group and a Custom Package were both listed as Demon-only options, while a New Easy-Order Package was explicitly not available on the Demon 340, restricting that ordering shortcut to lesser-engined Demons.

Sixteen exterior colors were charted, including two high-impact, extra-cost shades, Hemi Orange and Top Banana, alongside more conventional colors like Light Blue and Eggshell White. Standard Demon interior trim ran to a cloth-and-vinyl full-width front bench with integral head restraints in blue, green, or a black-and-white checkered pattern, with front bucket seats optional on Demon models. Shipping weight for the Demon 340 is recorded at 3,125 lb on a 108.0-inch wheelbase, 192.5-inch length, and 71.7-inch width, dimensions Flory applies to the Demon body generally rather than to the 340 as a separately measured variant. Base prices ran $2,759 for the Demon 340 against $2,316 for the plain Demon, a $443 spread per Flory's own tabulated figures. One further source on 1972 Demon 340 ratings, equipment, and prices was found but not read directly in this pass, leaving room for a future check against the factory catalogue already used for this record's standard-equipment and options detail.3

Fact sheet · 1972 · United States

The numbers

1972 Dodge Demon 340 — The Demon's second and final year under that name: 8,773 Demon 340s, with small Canadian and Swiss-market 340 runs counted separately.

Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.

Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.

Key facts

  • Demon 340: 8,773.1
  • Dodge's 1972 catalogue lists Dart Demon 340 standard equipment as the 340 4-bbl, a hood and side/rear deck tape stripes, heavy-duty (Rallye) suspension, E70 x 14 bias-belted tyres, electronic ignition and a fully synchronized 3-speed floor-mounted manual.

Production

By trim
What was countedCountBasisStatus
Demon 3401 Demon 340 · 2-door coupe · 340 4-bbl · not stated MuscleCarClub's 8,700 is treated as a rounding, not a competing count. 8,773 built, model-year Reported
Demon 340 (LM29), Flory3 Demon 340 · 2-door coupe · 340 4-bbl · not stated Rounded-looking figure; the swinger340specials table gives 8,773. See conflicts. 8,700 built, model-year Disputed
Demon (LL29), all other engines3 Demon · 2-door coupe · not stated Host-model context. 39,880 built, model-year Reported
Geography
What was countedCountBasisStatus
Swinger 340 Special (Canada)1 Swinger 340 Special · 2-door hardtop · 340 4-bbl · Canada 30 built, model-year Reported
Demon 340 (Switzerland)1 Demon 340 · 2-door coupe · 340 4-bbl · Switzerland Whether these are included in the 8,773 is not stated. 40 built, model-year Reported
Totals
What was countedCountBasisStatus
Demon, all engines (LL29 + LM29 combined)3 Demon incl. Demon 340 · 2-door coupe · not stated Not a line Flory himself prints; the sum of his own two rows, which together are his complete 1972 Demon breakdown. Uses Flory's disputed 8,700 for the 340 line, not the swinger340specials 8,773, so this total carries the same dispute. 48,580 built, model-year Estimate

Separately scoped; do not add.

The 48,580 total row is computed from this record's own two Flory-sourced rows (status kept as 'estimated').

Prices when new

ModelPriceBasis
Base MSRP, Demon 340 2-door coupe (LM29)3 $2,759 base manufacturer's suggested retail price as tabulated by Flory, 1972 model year
Base MSRP, Demon 2-door coupe (LL29)3 $2,316 base manufacturer's suggested retail price as tabulated by Flory, 1972 model year

Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.

Options and packages

CodeOptionPriceInstalled
catalogue option Hood scoops and hood blackout treatment (Dart Demon models only) — Not yet sourced
catalogue option 4-speed manual transmission (Dart Demon 340 only) — Not yet sourced
catalogue option Folding sun roof (Dart Demon models only) — Not yet sourced
catalogue option Dual outside racing mirrors (Dart Demon models only) — Not yet sourced
catalogue option Rallye wheels with chrome trim ring — Not yet sourced
catalogue option Sure Grip differential — Not yet sourced
package Interior Decor Group (Dart Demon models only) — Not yet sourced
package Custom Package (optional Dart Demon only) — Not yet sourced
package New Easy-Order Package (not available with Dart Demon 340) — Not yet sourced

Paint

CodeColorBuilt
Light Blue Not yet sourced
Gold Metallic Not yet sourced
Bright Blue Metallic Not yet sourced
Dark Gold Metallic Not yet sourced
Red Not yet sourced
Dark Tan Metallic Not yet sourced
Light Green Metallic Not yet sourced
Light Gunmetal Metallic Not yet sourced
Dark Green Metallic Not yet sourced
Medium Tan Metallic Not yet sourced
Eggshell White Not yet sourced
Super Blue Not yet sourced
Black Not yet sourced
Hemi Orange (high-impact, extra cost) Not yet sourced
Light Gold Not yet sourced
Top Banana (high-impact, extra cost) Not yet sourced

Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.

Interiors

CodeTrimBuilt
Dart Demon: cloth-and-vinyl full-width front bench with integral head restraints; seat colours Blue, Green, and Black-and-White check-ered cloth with vinyl Not yet sourced
Front bucket seats (Demon models only, optional) Not yet sourced

Specifications

MeasureValueApplies to
Shipping weight, Demon 3403 3,125 lb LM29
Wheelbase / length / width3 108.0 / 192.5 / 71.7 in Demon
Standard tyres, Dart Demon 340 E70 x 14 bias-belted Dart Demon 340
Standard axle ratio, 340 (TorqueFlite or manual) 3.23 :1 Dart Demon 340; 3.55 optional with Sure Grip
Compression ratio, 340 4-bbl 8.5:1 Dart Demon 340

Where the sources disagree

1972 Demon 340 production

  • 8,7731
  • 8,7003

Both shown; Flory's figure may be rounded but does not say so.

Identification

Read a 1972 Dodge VIN

The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:

Same model year

Also in 1972

  • AMC AMX The first year of SAE net ratings and Chrysler-built TorqueFlite automatics. Javelin AMX production rose to 3,220, and the 304 V8 became available.
  • AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The first V8 Gremlin: the 304 (150 hp SAE net) in AMC's subcompact. Gremlin X production is not published in any source found.
  • AMC Javelin The base model was dropped, so every non-AMX Javelin was an SST. This was the first year of the Pierre Cardin interior and of Chrysler-built automatics.
  • Buick Riviera Net ratings only for 1972: 250 hp standard, 260 GS per ROA; 2,171 of 33,728 were GS.
  • Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last A-body GS year before the Colonnade Century; the GSX package, now in many colours, was invoiced on only 44 cars, most of them outside the lower 48 states.
  • Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The last Z15 Chevelle SS of the first generation: net-rated engines, an LS5 454 at 270 net hp, and 5,333 SS 454s.
  • Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table switches to net ratings; SS and Rally Nova offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 349,733 cars; Super Sport 12,309.
  • Chevrolet El Camino SS Last year of the Chevelle-bodied El Camino SS; 50,359 V8 Malibu El Caminos were built, and the SS share is not separately published.
  • Dodge Challenger Hardtop only, with a new grille: the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package, and the most powerful engine listed was the 340 four-barrel.
  • Dodge Charger The R/T and Super Bee were dropped; the new Rallye package became the performance Charger, and the 440 Six Pack was cancelled after a handful of cars.
  • Ford Maverick Grabber The dual-scoop-hood Grabber in its second year as a model; Classic Industries counts 35,347.
  • Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 12,620 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
  • Ford Thunderbird First year of the sixth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
  • Ford Torino The new body-on-frame Torino sold 496,645 in 1972; the performance models were the Gran Torino Sport SportsRoof (60,794) and hardtop (31,239), with the 351 Cobra Jet and a Rallye Equipment Group on the option list.
  • Mercury Cougar Net ratings arrived, the 429 was gone, and the 351 Cobra Jet became the performance Cougar engine, fitted to 3,560 cars.
  • Mercury Montego GT The first year of the fastback-only Montego GT on the new split-wheelbase intermediate, with the Cyclone name reduced to a performance option that only a few dozen buyers took.
  • Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 became a Cutlass option again, engines were rated in SAE net (W-30: 300 hp), and a Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500.
  • Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Hardtops only, single headlamps, four round taillamps, and a 340 four-barrel as the top engine: the 'Cuda carried it as standard.
  • Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 In the first net-rating year the Duster 340's 8.5:1 340 was rated 240 net hp with electronic ignition, the Twister became order code A51, and output rose to 15,681 in both compilations.
  • Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1972 the GTX existed only as the 440 four-barrel option on the Road Runner hardtop; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 672 of them.
  • Plymouth Road Runner The hardtop-only Road Runner took a 400 four-barrel as its advertised standard engine, and production fell again.
  • Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A strike-shortened year: 29,951 Firebirds and 1,286 Trans Ams, every one a 455 HO.
  • Pontiac GTO The GTO goes back to being an option on the LeMans, with net ratings only; 5,807 were built.
  • Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year with the SJ still offered; production recovered to 91,961.
  • Pontiac Tempest and LeMans The GTO becomes a LeMans option, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages.