After beating the Ford Mustang to market by 17 days in 1964, the Plymouth Barracuda would enjoy a run of more than 10 years. By 1974, however, both the muscle and pony car markets had cooled off and Chrysler called it quits with the Barracuda and its companion, the Dodge Challenger. This ‘74 edition is dressed as both a ‘Cuda and an AAR model, but both designations may fall into the category of tribute or clone car. Available in Birmingham, Alabama, this modified Barracuda is presented here on eBay where the bidding has reached $19,900, but the reserve is still waiting to be met.

In 1970, the Barracuda got a whole new platform that distanced it from its original roots with the Plymouth Valiant. Production would increase by a third over 1969 as the public responded favorably to the new E-body look. But the record of 49,000 units in ’70 would fall to less than 12,000 by 1974. The seller’s car is in that mix, but we’re not sure exactly where it falls. 1973 would be the last year for the 340 cubic inch V8 inch engine, switching to a less potent 360 for ’74. So, if this car were a true ‘Cuda when new, there’s been a motor swap at some point.

The seller has added the ‘Cuda AAR stripes, but that was a one-year-model in 1970 as Plymouth went racing for a bit with Dan Gurney on the SCCA Trans-Am circuit. Those cars saw limited production and would also be equipped with a 340 engine, but with a 6-Pack set up instead of one 4-barrel. The seller’s Barracuda has a “built” 340 with J-heads, a solid lifter camshaft, an Edelbrock aluminum intake and a Holley dual line carburetor.

Setting the changes in the originality of this car aside, it may be a very solid little muscle car. The body looks to be good, although the paint is questionable. That depends on whether you’re a fan of the whole patina thing, which this car has. You could leave it as is or go with redoing the burnt orange bottom half of the car, but some of the old paint is starting to blister. And not all the panels match, suggesting that at least the right front fender may have been repainted. The seller has already redone the top, replacing the original vinyl with white paint.

The mechanical enhancements don’t stop with the items already mentioned. This Barracuda also has a set of headers, dual exhaust with the correct outlets in the rear valance, electronic ignition, a 727 TorqueFlite automatic (we don’t know it has been rebuilt, but at 112,000 miles on the car, that’s probable),and 3.23 posi-traction with an 8 3/34 rear end. The rear of the car has been raised and a wider set of Cragar mag wheels are back there, with new or newer tires on all the wheels.

When you open the doors, the interior looks to be wearing custom upholstery with ‘Cuda lettering in the seatbacks. But the black carpeting is quite faded and is asking to be replaced. Once you sit behind the steering wheel, put the key in the ignition and start it up, we’re told it runs great and has a nice lumpy idle sound. The seller provides two videos for further inspection by interested parties. The first clip is of a walk around the car and the second clip is one of it idling in place.