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Backyard Find: 1973 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340

Plymouth’s Barracuda is one of the more prolific muscle cars of its era, but like most of its competitors, most remaining examples are either fully restored or a full-blown project. This 1973 Plymouth Barracuda that’s available here on eBay is more of the latter than the former, but it could make a great project for the right person.

This Barracuda is available in Caldwell, Idaho. The seller mentions that they received the vehicle without a title, but went through the process of obtaining a conditional title, also adding that the next owner will have a clean title for the vehicle in their name.

The exterior has its fair share of flaws, but it also sat for 30 years prior to the seller taking it on. The body is dirty, but supposedly, it doesn’t have a ton of rust, and the seller includes photos of some of the more notable issues. This part of Idaho tends to be quite dry, so if it is original from the area, it might actually be fairly solid. Last but not least, the vehicle does have a sunroof, but it leaks and the seller is unsure whether or not it left the factory with a sunroof or if a third party converted at a later point.

Of course, due to the leaky sunroof, the interior will need immediate attention. All of the seats have torn upholstery and the seller notes that mold is present in the cabin.

Under the hood, you’ll find the original 340 cu.-in. V8 engine, which pairs to an automatic transmission. If you’re wondering why the vehicle sat for 30 years, it’s because the engine has a crack in the block. Replacement 340s are out there, but this might be a good time to upgrade to something with a bit more grunt.

At the time of publication, bidding is at $6,100 with the reserve not met. Do you think this project Plymouth has enough potential to make it worthwhile?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    That aftermarket sunroof kills it for me, then the water leakage, mold/mildew/corrison within the interior, is not good. Looks as though the body IS intact, though….GLWTS! :-)

    Like 7
  2. Avatar CCFisher

    Unless I’m mistaken, factory Mopar sunroofs were steel and required a vinyl roof to hide the necessary metalwork.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar LARRY

    Sunroof looks like a major afterthought..someone savvy with a welder could close the hole in the roof..and just say no to crack!!! Probably has more damage than a cracked block

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Classic Steel

    Hard pass…
    Block is toast .. swap or weld in sun roof disaster ..
    If your a good metal welder maybe swap center balast and rails in lower channels with windshield frame to a convertible (its a bastardized car anyway) 🤔👀

    Future owner should throw a big block and manual trans with a hatchet shift …

    Its a mopar …so high confidence level it will get rebuilt with its future salvage title …

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Joe Machado

    Add on Sunroofs were common in the 70’s.
    Friend that bought a 69 Daytona new had one installed. Was a Hemi, automatic. Car was in TV show, Adam 12.
    Its all fixable.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Del

    Might be saveable.

    Would need to see underneath before offering anything

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Leslie Martin Member

    If you want to “upgrade to something with a bit more grunt” why not just swap in a 69-70 340? Even in an E body those motors are seriously underrated and provide plenty of grunt. The amount of work to drop in a 383 or 440 wouldn’t be worth it considering what this car already needs. Replacement panels are parts are all readily available. But whoever buys this one better have good welding skills.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar John Oliveri

    Sunroof kills it, aftermarket trash, if that was factory that would make the car, it’s toast, cause it’s a 73, non numbers now cause the block is trash, gonna be upside down after paying shipping, forget about restoration, unless your a body man yourself, cut out the tail light panel and make a Frankenstein 70 out of it w grille and headlights etc

    Like 0
    • Avatar AMXBrian

      Of course you’re going to be upside down restoring a beat up old car, this a hobby for most people, very few people can actually pull a Richard Rawlings move and slap one together in 25 days. Regular hobbyists know that and do it because they like the car.
      The one they chase is affordable to their means. So most likely they’re pulling a car trailer out there themselves and chasing down parts in years and find a cheap replacement motor. They save up to weld up panel after panel or pay a local body-man to patch what they can as they can.

      Like 1
  9. Avatar TimM

    Flexseal the sunroof and some JB weld on the block and away you go!!! Haha!! Well it might be fun car but I’m going with the 4 speed!!!

    Like 6
  10. Avatar Dave

    I’d be more interested in the Dodge truck in the background

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Little_Cars

    Those sunroofs, even those aftermarket sold by shady retailers cashing in on the “trend” — were garbage from the get-go. Many a custom shag van or non-A/C car came away with these in the 1970s. The ones that were installed properly by legit auto service centers still had lousy warrantees in regards to leaks. On the bright side, I’ve seen Cuda/Challenger roofs for sale for just such a restoration adventure.

    Like 1

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