This 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda demonstrates the importance of not judging a book by its cover. It looks pretty rough and ready, but the news is positive when we delve below the surface. The seller states that it is rock-solid, and with a healthy 340/4-speed drivetrain configuration, it is a turnkey proposition offering immediate classic motoring pleasure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the ‘Cuda listed here on eBay in Celeste, Texas. The seller set their price at $36,500 OBO.
Plymouth performed a minor mid-cycle cosmetic refresh to its Third Generation Barracuda range in 1972, limiting further annual changes between then and the end of 1974 to primarily comply with evolving safety regulations. This 1972 example is the sporty ‘Cuda variant, which would have looked stunning in its prime. The first owner teamed Code GY8 Gold Leaf Poly paint with a Black vinyl top. It looks pretty sad today, with the vinyl all but gone and the paint exhibiting significant deterioration. There is evidence of Bondo, and a few accumulated dings and dents. But with the panels generally appearing solid, I believe it should be possible to whip the exterior into shape without replacing any panels. The exception may be the area around the back window, which exhibits developing small holes. There is plenty of dry surface corrosion, and the trunk pan has a couple of holes that may justify cutting out and replacing the pan to achieve a rust-free state. The floors look solid, seemingly supporting the seller’s claim that this ‘Cuda spent its life in California, where rust tends to be less of an issue. The shopping list to replace missing or damaged trim pieces will be quite long, but the glass looks okay.
Pursists contemplating the long-term investment potential of this ‘Cuda will welcome the news that it is numbers-matching. The first owner ordered the car with a 340ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The V8 was still a pretty respectable performer in 1972, placing 240hp and 290 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. This engine bay doesn’t present well, with surface corrosion and other cosmetic shortcomings. However, the seller states that the car runs and drives well, and potential buyers should consider it a turnkey proposition.
I scrolled through the seller’s images before commencing this article. I did so partly to compile a list of required parts to return the interior to a pristine state. I concluded that it needs seatcovers, foam, carpet, a dashpad, a parcel tray, and a headliner. The door trims and rear trims look pretty good and are comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade build. It would be wise to spend time researching the costs before committing funds to the interior, because a trim kit may prove more affordable than sourcing each piece. After all, most enthusiasts welcome the idea of saving a few bucks where possible, as long as the finished product meets their expectations. Therefore, a few hours on a computer might be justified.
So, what would I do if this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda found its way into my workshop? I would replace the trunk pan and treat and seal the remaining underside surfaces to minimize the risk of future rust. I would strip the exterior to bare metal, replacing any panels I couldn’t massage to perfection before returning it to its factory form. An interior retrim and detailing of the engine bay would be the final pieces of the puzzle, ensuring this classic is presented as it deserves. Do you agree? If so, are you willing to transform the dream into reality?
Nice lines on the 72 model Clarkey. 340 and 4sp, is a recipe for fun. Lots of work but could be a fine reward.
Thanks so much for that, Stan. I’ve always liked these. I think the styling is spot-on, and this car should have just the right amount of power to be entertaining without being a handful.
Like mentioned above, this would have been beautiful when new. The 340 4spd combination is hard to beat, hopefully it came with Sure Grip, if not that’s an easy addition. It’s definitely something you could drive after addressing the interior, but is probably too rough to keep as a “survivor”. The cars biggest problem is the price, but one look at the dealer who’s selling it explains that. This is the overpriced dealer in Texas that’s been featured in this site countless times. They find great cars, then slap a nosebleedingly high price on it, then wait for a buyer to eventually come along.
Steve R
I just checked that website and you are so right. He wants three arms and two legs for cars that appear to be fresh from a salvage yard,
Correct – it’s the “5150” bunch going around the country with deep pockets….not sure why they left those 1968 back wheels on it….they have Chargers that need them !
Steve is spot on, a 72 with this setup holds a market value between $30-$55K. High value examples with original paint, interior and matching numbers in good shape can fetch between the $60 to $70K. A complete DIY interior overhaul can soar to $4K in parts alone and if you hire a professional shop to handle the installation and any custom fabrications can reach upwards $7K. Then comes the trunk pan and whatever else you find lurking beneath this vehicle…body work and paint expect to go to at least $20K. If I’m in the market for one of these I am saving 3 years of busted knuckles, surprises and headaches for one that’s already in good shape.
Ridiculous price given the condition. Seeing a lot of that on BF lately.
Howard knows 👌
This is an ambush in the making. A potential buyer, who has little experience, will come along and get fleeced. When they start tearing the car down, because, who doesn’t want a nice looking car and they start finding flaws galore, they will get a sick feeling from an empty wallet. The expenses will start adding up and before too long, they are tens of thousands of dollars upside down in this car. It’s all good, if this is the car of your dreams but, that commitment is not for the faint of heart. If you can’t get this car for a fair starting point, you need to consider if your “nest egg”, can take the hit.
Maybe the seller thinks that there is someone out there who fits that profile, but in 2026. I have my doubts, but who knows. Resale classic car dealers invariably put big numbers on whatever they sell, so they can negotiate a “deal” that is way less. They only buy it if it is dirt cheap, or on commission.
The dunce buyer feels like he knocked them down, when in fact, the seller got what he expected all along. If anyone pays more than his bottom line number (usually his cost and some profit), then they are the fool that the dealer has been advertising for.
It’s all a game, wrapped up as the “cars are investments” scam promoted by the auction houses, which in almost all cases except for truly rare pieces, they are not. They are almost all money pits.
Once again, Celeste, TX. That was all I needed to see before I got to the asking price. Steve R nailed it in his comment above.
It would be a doable project for anyone with car painting and mechanic skills, except for the cost of buying the car first. Needs a big bank account to even begin, and the cost of materials and hardware after purchase? It would take me years to see it back on the road in great shape.
Nobody is bringing these kinds of hulks back to presentable condition anymore. There’s no upside to it when you can buy a driver for the same price. And nobody who parts this stuff out is willing to pay much more than the cost of coming to get it.
Cars that are this far gone are either scavenged for parts or ignored. This one does have some salvageable stuff, so ‘cuda specialists will come and get it, if it’s a bargain.
People say “oh, I’d part it out, the hood alone is worth $blah blah blah….(fill in a huge number). To who? A real buyer with a need and cash has to appear for each part that you want to sell.
Who has the physical resources (facility, storage space, shop, tools), time and market knowledge collect this kind of stuff and make a market in the parts. Almost nobody. The guys who do are invariably the “Yeah, I’ll come and get it and take it off your hands”. They only want it cheap.
Has anyone seen the video of the auction guy who bought 70 Charger/Road Runner type of field stored hulks from a “collector’s” estate in Texas. He paid about $1200 for each one, plus all the parts laying around in the sheds.
I agree, this stealership needs to have a big red X next to is when being considered for writeups on BF.
I’m sure that many far more interesting Mopars and other cars are submitted by readers.
Nuts !!!! On $$,$$$ Price. I would be embarrassed to call attention to it being for sale.
Looks like another overpriced dealer looking for gold out of a piece of coal.
I know it’s 2026 but back in the 80’s this would have been about a $1500 car if that.
i see the Texas thief has another rust bucket listed. really tire of seeing his high-priced rust buckets. he needs a visit from marshal lucky about his high prices
It is sad that the car scene is peppered with speculators like this car dealer, but as the saying goes, “there’s a butt for every seat”.
This dealer somehow chased a lead, bought the car, and will eventually sell it for whatever the market will bear. God bless America and capitalism.
Its also likely that it was probably saved from the crusher, and although the first purchaser might go upside down and end up selling a basket case or unfinished project, the “second buyer” might be able to swoop in and get a deal.
I think there are a lot of “BarnFind guys” that smile a bit when we hear about the mega-dollar engine builds and multi-thousand dollar bodywork and paint jobs, because we can do this stuff ourselves and actually enjoy it. To each his own, of course, but a lot of these types of cars are only restoreable with someone with tools and skills; trying to restore it with a checkbook won’t cut it.
I am not sure why people are beating up this dealer. Nobody has to buy anything from him, and if you do, and you pay anywhere close to his list price, then you’re a fool.
These classic car dealers all buy this stuff cheap from desperate sellers or estates. They know what to look for, or they casually ask the seller’s circumstances.
The motivation is that the seller’s estate has to be settled or the property that the car sits on is being sold and must go before closing. Divorce, foreclosure, health, etc. The seller has finally abandoned all of the “emotional attachment pricing premium” that we see here on BF when there is no real incentive to sell. That “testing of the market” nonsense by the seller is gone.
So, yes, these dealers do help salvage some of this. They deal in inventory that has a very limited buyer pool, so they have to start big and work their way down, hoping to find that person who has to have it along the way.
To me, this is all entertainment. A person in the US and Canada can still buy a decent classic car that is drivable and presentable for less than $10k, all day long. That keeps the lid on the rest of it.
There’s a sub-market of fans of specific makes and models that like to fantasize that their stuff is not subject to market forces and supply and demand. That’s the stuff that ends up in estate sales or other forced liquidation situations and it re-sets the calculation back to reality.
In the end, 99.9% of old cars are not investments. They are personal cost centers. The sooner that the market gets it, the more that prices become realistic again, across the board, and hobbyists, not “investors”, determine the prices.
Way over priced it’s a hard pass from me!
A lot of money and comes with a lot of work!! Everything is bigger in Texas!
I feel like it was purchased for 7k and now here’s the dealer price of 36k. Fishing for someone that’s just starting to look for a 72 Plymouth. I understand you’re a dealer and need to make a profit, but your asking price is insane. Barnfinds, leave the dealer cars off your website.
Look at it! Is everyone crazy? The king has no clothes.and mike Obama is a beautiful thing.20.000$ mebee it’s a joke? Wow.500.00$
I think it’s ten thousand at best. To much too repair and restore to sell to someone else to enjoy. It’s a loss for anyone, buyer, seller.