This survivor one-owner 1971 'Cuda, with a 383 automatic, is being auctioned. Despite its rough condition, the current bid is $50,500. 1971 Plymouth Cuda Parked for Years Emerges as One-Owner Surprise - autoevolution
Love those wheel covers (neighbor had them on a black on black e-body with staggered wider wheels/tires).
These escalating prices make me sick. I sold my 1971 'Cuda , with only $55,00 miles, for $2,500 in 1980!
Darn, it could be worth a million right now, depending on how original it was. Cuda was a rendition on the Challenger?
No, although the 'Cuda was an E-body car, like the Challenger, it catered more to the hard-core enthusiasts. The Challenger, like Plymouth's GTX, was geared towards a luxury/performance market. The 'Cuda was 4 inches shorter and 2 inches more narrow than the Challenger. Although my 'Cuda had all the options, because it was a small block, it would only be worth about $60-70,000. The most valuable 'Cudas are the ones with the 426 HEMI. The rarest is the 1971 HEMI convertible. It's all about how many were built. Here is the 10-year history of the Barracuda (1964-1974): The first-generation Barracuda was based on the Chrysler A-body and was offered from 1964 until 1966. A two-door hardtop (no B-pillar) fastback design, it shared a great majority of parts and bodywork with the Plymouth Valiant, except for the distinctive wraparound rear glass. The second-generation Barracuda, though still Valiant-based, was heavily redesigned. Built from 1967 through 1969, it was available as a two-door in fastback, notchback, and convertible versions. The third generation, offered from 1970 until 1974, was based on the Chrysler E-body, exclusive to it, and the slightly larger Dodge Challenger. A completely new design, the two-door Barracuda was available in hardtop and convertible body styles. The redesign for the 1970 Barracuda removed all its previous commonality with the Valiant. The original fastback design was deleted from the line and the Barracuda now consisted of coupe and convertible models. The all-new model, styled by John E. Herlitz, was built on a shorter, wider version of Chrysler's existing B platform, called the E-body. Though sharing its platform with the newly launched Dodge Challenger, no exterior sheet-metal interchanged between the sibling cars. The Challenger, at 110 inches, had a wheelbase that was 2 inches longer, and a body 5 inches longer than the Barracuda's. The E-body Barracuda was now "able to shake the stigma of 'economy car'." Three versions were offered for 1970 and 1971: the base Barracuda (BH), the luxury oriented Gran Coupe (BP), and the sport model 'Cuda (BS). Beginning mid-year 1970, and ending with the 1971 model, there also was the Barracuda Coupe (A93), a low-end model with the 198 cu in (3.2 L) Slant Six as a base engine, lower-grade interior, and (like other Coupe series Chrysler offered that year) had fixed quarter glass instead of roll-down rear passenger windows. The high-performance models were marketed as 'Cuda deriving from the 1969 option. The E-body's engine bay was larger than that of the previous A-body, facilitating the release of Chrysler's 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi for the regular retail market. 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda, raced by the Chrysler France works team in 1970-1973 For 1970 and 1971, the Barracuda and Barracuda Gran Coupe had two slant I6 engines available — a new 198 cu in (3.2 L) version and the previous 225 — as well as four different V8s: the 318 CID, the 383 cu in (6.3 L), the 383 with a two-barrel carburetor and single exhaust, and the 383 with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust 330 hp SAE gross. The 'Cuda had the 383 335 hp SAE gross (same as Dodge's 383 Magnum) as the standard engine. Options included the 340 cu in (5.6 L), 290 hp AAR "Six Barrel", with triple 2-barrel carburetors, a 440 cu in (7.2 L) four-barrel 375 hp Super Commando, the 440 Six Barrel with triple 2-barrel carburetors with a gross rating of 390 hp and the 425 hp 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi. The 440- and Hemi-equipped cars received upgraded suspension components and structural reinforcements to help transfer the power to the road. 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda 440+6 in High Impact Paint (HIP) color "In-Violet" FE5 Red 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible beside a historic bridge in Savage, MD. Other Barracuda options included decal sets, hood modifications, and some unusual "high impact" colors such as "Lime Light", "Bahama Yellow", "Tor Red", "Lemon Twist", "Curious Yellow", "Vitamin C", "In-Violet", "Sassy Grass" and "Moulin Rouge". The Barracuda was changed slightly for 1971, with a new grille and taillights, seat, and trim differences. This would be the only year that the Barracuda would have four headlights (which the Challenger had for all five years of their concurrent run), and also the only year of the fender "gills" on the 'Cuda high-performance model. Only 1970 'Cuda models received a "hockey stick" stripe with an engine call out within it, where as 1971 'Cudas were the only year that had the full side "Billboard" decal with the engine call out inside of the billboard decal. The 1971 Barracuda engine options would remain the same as that of the 1970 model, except that the 340 6-Bbl was gone, and the four-barrel carbureted 440 V8 engine was no longer on the options list, but could be had via special order and perhaps a dozen cars were built with it installed; otherwise, the 440-powered Barracudas had a six-barrel carburetor setup instead. In 1971 the big-block power options offered to the customer were: 275 hp SAE Gross in the 383-2V 300 hp SAE Gross in the 383-4V 385 hp SAE Gross in the 440-6V 425 hp SAE Gross in the 426-8V In 1970 and 1971 only, the shaker hood (option code N96), elastomeric (rubber) colored bumpers, and the Spicer-built Dana 60 rear axle were available. The shaker hood was available with 340, 383, 440 four-barrel, 440 six-barrel, and 426 Hemi engines. The elastomeric (rubber) colored bumpers were available either as a front-only option, option code A21, or as a front and rear combination, option code A22. The heavy-duty (and heavy) Dana 60, with a 9.75 in ring gear, was standard equipment with manual transmissions and 440 six-barrel and 426 Hemi engines, and was optional on those with the automatic transmission. 1971 Barracudas with floor shifted transmissions received a new column key release, where as 1970 models had a backdrive linkage for key removal. 1972–1974 1972 Plymouth Barracuda 1973 Plymouth Barracuda 1973 Plymouth Barracuda interior 1974 Plymouth 'Cuda With a new grille and single headlights (very similar to the 1970 model) and four circular taillights for 1972, the Barracuda would remain basically unchanged through 1974, with new bodyside stripes, and minor changes to the bumpers to conform with federal impact standards being the only significant variations. In 1973 the shape of the pedals was changed from a trapezoid shape with a fine horizontal pattern that was original to the shape of the 1970, where as 1973 and later had larger rectangle shaped clutch and brake pedals with thicker horizontal grooves that would remain similar to most all Chrysler products through the 1980s. There was also a corresponding gas pedal that matched the aforementioned brake and clutch style variations. With this change of pedal shape the brake and clutch supporting members were forged differently, and the pads were not interchangeable. 1972 was also the last year for the basket-weave pattern in the seats, where as the next two years, seats had a different cost saving coachman grain pattern vinyl with different bucket seat backs. Big block engines (383, 440, & 426 Hemi), heavy-duty suspensions, Dana 60 rear axle, large/wide tires mounted on 15 in × 7 in wheels were no longer offered. Additionally; the convertible model was dropped; though a few late build 1971 convertibles were built with 1972 grills and back end panels and provided to Paramount Studios for TV and movie work. Convenience and comfort items such as power seats, power windows, and upgraded interior (leather seats and plush carpeting) options were dropped, though heavy-duty air conditioning and a sunroof could still be ordered. For 1972 only, three engine choices were offered: a 225 six, the 318 (base engine for both 'Cuda and Barracuda), and a revised 340 detuned to meet emission standards. In addition, all three were tuned to run on low/no-lead gas and were power rated on the NET (installed) method. Three transmissions were offered: a 3-speed manual, the Torqueflite automatic, and the Hurst shifter equipped four-speed. For 1973 federally mandated safety bumpers were added front and rear, and the 225 six was dropped, with the 318 and 340 V8s being the only engine choices. For late production 1973 cars, and for 1974 a slightly more powerful 360 V8 (245 E body) replaced the 340. Since 1970; optional was a four-speed manual transmission (equipped with a Hurst shifter) mated to a performance ratio (3.55 to 1) rear axle for the 340 and 360 engines, though as many as three cars (in both 1973 and 1974) were built with the 318 engine and Hurst 4-speed thru special orders or factory errors. As with other American vehicles of the time, there was a progressive decrease in the Barracuda's performance. To meet increasingly stringent safety and exhaust emission regulations, big-block engine options were discontinued. The remaining engines were detuned year by year to reduce exhaust emissions, which also reduced their power output. There was also an increase in weight as bumpers became larger and, starting in 1970, E-body doors were equipped with heavy steel side-impact protection beams. Higher fuel prices following the 1973 oil crisis and performance-car insurance surcharges deterred many buyers as the interest in high-performance cars waned. Sales of pony cars were on the decline. Sales had dropped dramatically after 1970, and while 1973 showed a sales uptick, Barracuda production ended April 1, 1974, ten years to the day after it had begun. Engines Engine choices by Chrysler for the 1970-73 Barracuda included the following: B: 198 cu in (3.2 L) Slant 6 I6: 1970–71 125 bhp SAE gross, 1972 100 bhp SAE net C: 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant 6 I6: 1970–71 145 bhp SAE gross, 1971-72 110 bhp SAE net G: 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 (2-barrel carburetor, single exhaust): 1970-71 230 bhp SAE gross, 1971 155 bhp SAE net, 1972-74 150 bhp SAE net H: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 (4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust): 1970-71 275 bhp SAE gross, 1971 235 bhp SAE net, 1972-73 240 bhp SAE net J: 340 cu in (5.6 L) LA V8 (3×2-barrel carburetor): 1970 290 bhp SAE gross, used in AAR Cuda L: 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8 (4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust): 1974 245 bhp SAE net L: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8 (2-barrel carburetor, single exhaust): 1970 290 bhp SAE gross, 1971 275 bhp (205 kW) SAE gross, 1971 190 bhp (142 kW) SAE net N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8 (4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust): 1970 330 bhp SAE gross N: 383 cu in (6.3 L) B V8 Magnum (4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust): 1970 335 bhp at 5,000 rpm SAE gross and 425 lb⋅ft at 3,200 rpm of torque, 1971 300 bhp SAE gross, 1971 250 bhp SAE net U: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Magnum 4-barrel Holley AVS-4737S carburetor: 1970 375 bhp at 4,600 rpm and 480 lb⋅ft at 3,200 rpm of torque SAE gross, (1971 370 bhp SAE gross, 305 bhp SAE net only in Satellite GTX and Plymouth Sport Fury GT) V: 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 Six-Pack 3X2-barrel Holley R-4382A/R-4375A/R-4383A carburetors: 1970 390 bhp at 4,700 rpm and 490 lb⋅ft at 3,200 rpm of torque SAE gross, 1971 385 bhp SAE gross, 1971 330 bhp SAE net R: 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi V8 2X4-barrel Carter AFB 4742S/AFB4745S carburetors: 1970-71 425 bhp SAE gross at 5,000 rpm and 490 lbf⋅ft at 4,000 rpm of torque, 1971 costing an extra $1,228 ($9,000 today) with very few sold. SAE gross hp ratings were tested with no accessories, no air cleaner, or open headers. In 1971, compression ratios were reduced in performance engines, except the 426 cu in and the high-performance 440 cu in, to accommodate regular gasoline. 1971 was the last year for the 426 Hemi. Chrysler had plans to continue the 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A for 1971, even publishing advertisements for a 1971 Dodge Challenger T/A. However, no 1971 Dodge Challenger T/A was made. Similarly, no 1971 Plymouth AAR "Cuda was made. Discontinuation The Barracuda was discontinued after 1974, a victim of the 1973 energy crisis.
