Plymouth literature described its top-trimmed 1971 Barracuda Gran Coupe as “Sport with a touch of glamour,” and produced a mere 1331 that year. Thanks to hamtramck-historical.com for some details. This specimen in “upstate New York” seeks a new owner here on craigslist after spending 40 years in a barn and receiving some attention by the seller in the form of new body panels, body work, and primer. For $35,000 you can finish the job. Thanks to our own Adam C. for submitting this tip.
The Gran Coupe’s “Coachmaker crest” accompanies the word “Barracuda,” which contrasted the Sport model’s “‘Cuda” script. The Gran Coupe roughly equates to the “SE” trim on Dodge’s Challenger sibling.
Interiors on the Gran Coupe featured standard leather bucket seats, overhead “consolette” with warning lights, and more “Coachmaker crests.” The back seats suggest a “gold” leather interior, calling into question the black front buckets. Sadly the hood has been modified. Nearly every option could accompany the Gran Coupe except for some stripes and the “shaker” hood.
Plymouth originally installed a 383 cid four-barrel V8 where this 440 cid engine currently resides. The Gran Coupe’s engine options began with the 318 cid V8 and ended with two and four-barrel 383s. The seller lists this as one of the 79 automatic-equipped 383 four-barrel units. The model’s rarity accompanied by a host of incorrect or missing parts may complicate the market price. If it were yours, what’s the lowest you would accept?
Good luck to whoever buys this car.
Steve R
Gotta like those pizza cutters up front and meats in the rear, menacing looking car with that hood. This is how I remember ‘Cudas looking years ago…BAD!!
Yes, the 1971 Plymouth and Dodge E Bodies had the nicest styling in my opinion. Beautiful cars for sure, but with that said, I would much rather have a 318 in one. By far better running and handling. It got you there in style and comfort, which is what a car is supposed to do. What is the real point of a big block except to make an image? How many times can you drag a car? My dream E Body would be a 71 Challenger, 318, a four speed with a 3.23 rear end, , air, heavy duty suspension, disc brakes, a hardtop, power windows, stereo radio, six way adjustable seat, some Magnum 500 wheels with chrome trim around the wells, light blue with a white interior. I bet a car like that would draw more attention at the shows then any number of big blocks. That car would last for years as long as it was waxed, garaged, and had a little maintenance. Muscle cars did not, they were abused. Sure wish my time machine worked, I would go back and order it today.
Abused, well, those factory terrors were never meant for driving miss Daisy, right? None, and I repeat, none of us including yourself, ever imagined those muscle cars would ever become the high dollar highly prized specticles they’ve become. Big surprise to me, that’s for sure. Disliked, despicable, gas hogging, ear ringing machines to most people hated by cops, parents, all sorts of people really, the image of these was very well earned. I loved every aspect of it too.
The big dollar retirement plan and suddenly all kinds of people are buying these, not because of what they are but because of how much they’re worth. Can’t do anything about it though.
@ Troy s I fear many people who can’t afford to lose retirement money are cashing in 401Ks to have this for a retirement investment thinking it is fun and lucrative. It is for now, but for how long? As much as I hate Wall Street and would love a Hemicuda in the garage, I will stick with the crooked boys from New York. What happens to your investment in 20 years when the BBs are mostly pushing up daisies, where is the up side then? Besides, when you turn 65, and need the cash, even IF you could then sell it at a profit, would you want to? Prob die right then and there from a broken heart. Boys and girls, cars should be a SMALL part of your disposable income, for your own personal pleasure only. It was ruined when the idea of profit sneaked in to spoil the party.
Billy, if someone is dumb enough to cash out part of their 401k to buy a car, or anything else for that matter, that’s their business. You can’t save some people from their own stupidity, this time last year the news was full of stories of people cashing in their retirement and mortgaging their houses to buy Bitcoins. If it wasn’t that it would have been something else. That will always be the case, some people will always be enticed to look for the quick buck. That will never stop, you nor anyone else can change that.
It’s a free country, people should be able to spend their money however they please.
There are still deals out there for those that look and are disciplined. The car hobby hasn’t been ruined.
Steve R
“Boys and girls, cars should be a SMALL part of your disposable income, for your own personal pleasure only.”
Who are you to be telling people how to spend their money?
Once again, we allowed to bask in the infinate wisdom of the Barn Finds sage Billy007! He sees things we are unable to see. I am now seeking a 318 2 barrel Mopar, built in an upper trim level model. Gentleman be on the lookout for an odd looking Delorean!
@Ken, Just offering advice children, how you use it is totally up to you. After all, everyone has the right to be wrong. I would like to add, I really do not wish to have to pay extra taxes because some doofus blew all his retirement money on some old car and is then worthless. Of course, maybe I will say, ,”Gee, why is it my concern that he has to eat cat food on his toast in the morning?” It is just like the fool who insists he doesn’t need health insurance, and yet when he falls in a well and shows up in an ER, he expects to be treated. The right wing is full of talk about personal responsibility, but often it seems it is just talk.
@Ken, Couldn’t help but notice that 14 people like what I said. Ten less people liked your reply. Not that has anything to say about you personally, just this issue. I think Barn Finds should open up a discussion about this, but then again, might not be good for their business. A free open market that isn’t too well thought out makes for larger commissions. Might be a good research project for a masters thesis.
These are Plymouth eqivalent to the Mustang Grande, and like the latter, not as desireable as the regular models.. With the original engine gone, its a custom cuda needing restoration and should be valued accordingly.
What shape is engine/tranny in? Heater hoses missing, so what else needs done? Costs could add up quickly. Figure final restored value as a 440 clone. You can’t set a price without knowing status of these.
Seat covers are easily replaced. Console and steering wheel look good. Say power train is fine. Then IMO probably a $30K car minimum.
Price is too high for an unfinished, modified Barracuda imo. It does have a mean look to it.
How about this instead for $35,000!
https://mosingmotorcars.com/vehicles/85/1970-plymouth-barracuda-pink-panther-tribute
Except for the color and the weird tranny, couldn’t agree more. Price is more reasonable too. What is the story with that headliner? You would think for 35K they could fix that. I am having one professionally put in right now in my Mirada, like 300 bucks, perfect fabric match and a full factory appearance. If they were sloppy with this, what else? Butttt, 35K is along way from 80-90K for a numbers matching car you are afraid to dive. As most here know, I am not a fan of big block muscle, I prefer more standard engines, but if to go fast in a straight line is your goal, this makes sense to me.
What’s weird about a 727 put together by someone with a good reputation???
What’s wrong with or “weird” about a built 727?
Couldn’t agree more Jeff, the pink one looks like a bargain in comparison. OK, so the headliner needs attention, but EVERYTHING on the other car needs attention!
Them Wheels… They ruin that car IMHO
I’ve got a 1970 Gran Coupe with 383/2bbl, lots of rust.Original, numbers matching car and complete unmolested. I get laughed at for $33k.
I’d trade for the pink one.
Why is there a floor jack holding up the engine? And if the day two spark plug wires are an indication of the owner’s skill and attention to detail, I would assume going in that every part of the car that has been worked on will need to be checked/redone.
Still, could be made into a nice car, price is a good bit speculative though.
Why 40 years ago was this parked? What was wrong with it then, a blown 383? It was only a 7 year old car then, so why not repair it and use it? Either someone with too much money and lots of space or maybe hot? Is the title secure? Of course, in the late 70s, they were worth almost nothing. In 1981 I could have had a rust free, perfect (almost) red paint, 80K mile 1971 Challenger convert for 800 bucks. That was the offer I had to turn down because I was still in college and I had just bought some over priced text books and need to buy some more. Man, I would really like to do that one over again. (318 3 speed, white interior, my kind of car!)
Gran Coupe’s didn’t have the gilled front fenders. Only ‘Cuda models had those.
I get laughed at when i asked for $30k for a 70 Gran Coupe, 383/2bbl, numbers matching, complete, full of rust. $33k for that is nuts.
I think I touched a nerve up above when I commented about using 401K money to buy these things as an “investment”. Could it be that this insane rise in values is an artificial bubble caused by a loophole in the 401K/403B laws? Could some of our touchier posters here be part of that? I truly hope they are correct and make out okay in their elderly years and do not have to be one of the sad looking octogenarians working at McDonalds taht I see these days, but I am not so sure. If I were them, I would get out now when the getting is good before that bubble makes a big old POP!
I owned several muscle cars during my teenage years in the early 1980s four 442s , Dodge chargers and mustangs. I can not believe the money people ask for these cars. I know the market has changed, but just unbelievable
In 1981, I paid $1500.00 for a ’67 GTO. Drove it home. In 1993, I purchased a 1970 1/2 Trans Am for $5000.00…was a Ram Air IV.
Price for these old performance cars have quadrupled twice. It is mind-boggling!
in 1965 I paid $3105 for a 1964 Dodge 330 sedan, 426 car. Drove it off the showroom floor. Still have it today. End of story.
Harley, adjusted for inflation (2018) you paid $25k for your ’64 Dodge Hemi.
I loved the lack of commitment from Chrysler when they built a Gran Coupe CONVERTIBLE. Sure, the market was small, too small to tool up a new emblem, but I have to laugh every time I see one at a show or an article on one. Sign of the times, I guess, Chrysler getting desperate and trying to capture every sale possible.
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1970-1971-plymouth-barracuda-convertibles.htm
Wow nice car! Without the motor it was born with it is just like a 307 Chevy Nova with a truck 396 stuffed in it. Well worth the ask after the frame off is finished!
All you “Mopar or no car” fanatics, this is a no car. Pay me to haul it for scrap.
Gran Coupe was not a great seller.
This one is amother mish mash.
No fender tag ? No build sheet .
Replacement clip front ? Accident ?
Price way to high.
Gran Coupes are not desired model.
This one is a mish mash.
No fender tag ? No build sheet.
Front clip replacement. Accident vic ?
Not worth even half asking price
Gran Coupes are not desired model.
This one is a mish mash.
No fender tag ? No build sheet.
Front clip replacement. Accident vic ?
Not worth even half asking price
Another mish mash Mopar.
Not worth half the asking price0
Another mish mash Mopar.
Not worth half the asking price
If it were mine, it would be done and sitting right next to my Mustangs! This will be a really nice car when completed! However the original power plant would be better!
I’ll bid on the 70 R/T Charger .
No….y’all just beat something to death – like your first wise a hold opinion isn’t good enough….
Not too familiar with the Grand Sport option on a Cuda…always nice to learn & see something new. I guess it’s sort of equivalent to Mustang’s Grande? Too bad about all the non stock parts on this one though….in my eyes that hurts the restored value, though as long as the 440 is period correct then it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.