Born from the roots of the Valiant compact in 1964, the Plymouth Barracuda came into its own in 1970. That’s when Chrysler bestowed it with a separate platform (though shared with the all-new Dodge Challenger). But the timing was off as the demand for performance cars began to wane just as the reborn Barracuda was coming to life. The seller has a very nice 1971 ‘Cuda (the only year with quad headlights), and it sports a fire-breathing 440 cubic inch V8 with triple carburetors. But all is not as it seems with this Mopar in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the bidding is strong at $50,095 here on eBay, though the reserve is yet to be met.
If the VIN provided by the seller is correct, this ‘Cuda came from the factory with a 383 4-barrel, making it 1 of 1,168 built with an automatic transmission. There is no mention of that or when the switch was made. If this had been an original 440 6-Pack Plymouth, it would be 1 of just 129, and bidding would be through the roof. Also, the car’s total mileage isn’t disclosed, only that the car has been driven a mere 1,000 miles since the long-time owner acquired it in 2008.
We’re told the paint isn’t quite as good as in the photos, “maybe an 8 out of 10” with a solid E-body. The interior looks quite tidy (redone?) and has a bench seat up front, a rarity on pony cars like these. Some recent work has been done, which includes new brakes and a power booster, and a new exhaust. The factory AM radio has been jettisoned in favor of an Alpine Bluetooth stereo (which probably sounds much better).
The seller doesn’t say much else about the car, so its history isn’t known. No mention is made of a broadcast sheet, and a photo of the cowl tag would have been nice to help decipher how the Chrysler product was built. Whatever the case, it seems like a solid machine that should turn plenty of heads. We’re guessing it’s been repainted, and that’s when he 440 decals were added.
Russ good write up on this Mopar. Yes this was a 383-4 from the factory. The B5 blue does look original on this vehicle. You can put 5 adults in this Cuda if you want to. Yes its rare to see a bench seat in a muscle car. It’s a Cuda per vin BS23N1. I wonder if this engine is a true V code block. Anybody can throw a six pac on a 440. Need to look for the stamping next to the distributor for HP to start with. That will tell you it’s a high performance, 440 and look for the stampings. To see if it’s a six pac block. I swear I seen this Mopar before on this site or a different one. Since it’s not a V code Cuda I feel $55,000 is a fair price. The new owners better look this Cuda over and see if the broadcast sheet is under the rear seat. Before handing over the hard cash. I am a Mopar guy so I enjoy a good write on these vehicles. Thanks…🐻🇺🇸
There really wasn’t a V code block. All 440 HP motors from 69-71 used the same block, and there were no markings to designate that one would have been a 6 pack or 4bbl.
Bench seat Pony cars are an oddity but clearly were a thing at one time.
440-6 is such a great setup. If only the 906 heads had been better.
When will sellers give up on AI generated item descriptions and just write it themselves? It’s a total turn off.
Who in their right mind would feel comfortable dropping more than $50,000 for a description as useless as that. I’d be scared to deal with a seller if I was dealing with them face to face and something like that left their mouth in my presences. I’d expect a description like this from a scammer, not a legitimate seller.
Steve R
When you said that, and looked myself. I agree–this could be a scam. Anybody nearby to check this out?
Plymouth = 6 Barrel
Dodge = 6Pack
I commented on next car,this is decent looking Cuda,I agree I would wonder about some statements made on this one,would love to see build sheet,and we did have a few come thru with bench seats.My Cuda I ordered being base car with options had a bench seat in black like this car.I would really have to look this one over well,and wouldn’t pay over $50,000 to $55,000 for it,just get bad feelings of what is being not said.
Ended at $69,100.
Reserve Not Met.