Running across a mostly unrestored 1971 Plymouth Barracuda in driver-condition is bound to stir up some debate, especially when it’s already gotten the standard flat hood swapped out and the rear end treated to ‘Cuda styling. Things get more complicated since the engine is original, but it’s a 318, which lacks the wow factor of a big block, so I can understand the temptation to install something more fun under the hood. The next owner will be facing some tough decisions ahead, such as whether to continue cloning this one into a ‘Cuda, creating a Restomod, or restoring it back to the stock specs. Whatever you have in mind, this 1971 Barracuda is located in Fairview, Tennessee, and can be seen here on eBay, with a non-negotiable price of $45,000.
On the plus side, this one is said to have spent many years as a California car, with the seller claiming that there’s far less rust present than will be found in most unrestored E-Bodies. Although this Barracuda has now been in Tennessee for the past two decades, it’s always been garaged, and a few small patches have already been installed where some rust bubbles were showing through. Both front fenders could stand some work, especially on the driver’s side, so it’s tempting to replace them with ‘Cuda parts, those cool one-year-only components with the fish gills. The seller also mentions some bubbling underneath the top material, so a new roof skin might be needed, but whether or not to reinstall the vinyl afterward will be up to the future owner.
Fortunately, the fender tag is present and said to have never been removed, with code H5X9 indicating high cloth and vinyl bucket seats. The console is also factory, with the carpeting and headliner stated to still be original, but the entire dash assembly has been pulled out and changed to rally gauges. A new pad has also been installed, and it’s a positive to see that this one’s a factory A/C car, with the vents and ducts said to be in great shape.
What to do under the hood is the kind of conundrum that keeps Mopar enthusiasts up at night, and that’s whether to retain the small block, which is numbers-matching as is the transmission, or install a more powerful big block in the bay instead. A pro argument for keeping the 318 is that the seller claims it runs great and that the automatic is shifting nicely, so this one can still be driven and enjoyed just like it is. It’s really tempting to continue the total ‘Cuda clone path, but I’m torn between that route and trying to keep this 1971 Plymouth Barracuda as original to how it left Hamtramck as possible. What would you do?
Non negotiable, he can keep it.
Yep, I second that. Had my fill of of of that type of seller, person. When I got into the hobby, yes, it was a hobby for car people at one time, people were alittle more decent to each other.
It’s a two way street. This car is expensive, but it’s more likely to get its asking price than the $20,000 4 door Nove featured on this site last night. The seller shouldn’t complain like he did in his ad, it’s an invitation for people to do exactly what he doesn’t like. However there are far too many people that learned their negotiating skill from watching Fast and Loud and think the first offer should be 50% of the asking price while pointing out every small problem. Then there are those that think if a seller is asking more than they are willing to pay they are being ripped off.
There are a lot of people that only sell through word of mouth to friends and acquaintances. That’s how most of my friends operate. You get less money, but you don’t have to deal with random people (the public). That’s also why most good deals are never advertised.
There is a basic lack of consideration by many, amongst both buyers and sellers. Many on both sides of a transaction would be well served to remember that and hold their tongues, then walk away if there isn’t going to be a deal struck rather than give the other side a piece of their mind.
Steve R
If you want to do something special keep it stock, everyone under the sun will want to put in a hemi. Put the flat hood back on it, change the fluids and enjoy it.
If I had this one. I would build a nice 340 engine dual exhaust with turn down tips. Get the nice aftermarket AC kit. Do body work paint the same color yellow and enjoy driving weekends. Summer weekday/evening car shows. I will be very surprised someone buys it at this price. If I was the seller i would fix it up. Do body work paint etc. You will get more money for it. Good luck to everyone. 🐻🇺🇸
Yes,he might get what he,s asking if it was painted.318 is a good motor.
The flat hoods are only good for sledding or cutting a hole for a shaker hood The power bulge hood completely changes the look and image of the car The seats in these are really low and the PB hood looks great You can build up the. 318 for decent power but if you want more power a 360 is a good choice because a 340 can be expensive and hard to find a good one
I think the price is good and looking the photos over I think it’s in exceptional shape. The fact there’s no rot popping in front of the hood hinges or trunk pan at the rear shackles suggests a remarkable overall body. I bought a nice ’71 Challenger in December for $34k, had I seen this Barracuda I would’ve gladly given this owner the $34k I had to spend and made up the difference. Awesome car!
That’s about $30,000 overpriced.
Here’s some partly relevant perspective :
I bought a 71 Barracuda with similar ‘Cuda mods this weekend ; power bulge,go wing ,gauges ,gilled fenders etc.The car is in spectacular MINT condition for about $75 K Canadian (give or take $54,000 USD ) .It’s an original Plum Crazy car with white interior and ,again, both are in perfect showroom condition.
I don’t believe you could get this yellow car into the condition mine is for less than what I paid EXCLUDING the price of the car .All of which doesn’t change the fact that there are people who will try ,and God Bless them for that .
P.S. I am going to cruise the 318 this year,but will put a 2021 Hemi in it for my version of 50th anniversary Hemi Cuda with the White billboards of course. ! Don’t need the Hellcat ,I have one going in the more appropriate 68 Charger .
I bought a Barracuda in late 70 I was working for Chrysler/Plymouth dealer, so could see options books.I ordered mine in white, bench seat, in black, 13 in. tires and wheels.Then added the good stuff,super stock springs, Dana 60,M-21 rock crusher 4 spd., and of course Hemi, with shaker hood scoop.I ordered it to go drag racing, but due to family circumstances, had to sell it before it was finished, so never got to race it.Depressed about it for 6 months.Guy I sold it to didn’t get to race it either, he set his garage on fire welding something for his neighbor.Car, garage, and house all gone, really felt sorry for the guy.
30,000 over priced.what buy it for 45 dump in 50 more and donate your time.canged my mind.i would pay 7,000, if it runs good.man….you can by a nice cuda for way less already done.no body has any money now.
Seems a bit pricey for a base-model Barracuda. But, they aren’t building them anymore. I think it’s more like a $12-15k car.
There has never been a replacement body available for a Barracuda/Cuda, there was a first generation Challenger body, but it was discontinued several years ago. The only option is to buy a used car as a starting point for a project, that’s why cars with minimal rust and damage are so expensive.
Steve R
Andy, it’s easy to do your own research, “someone here said” means you haven’t done it for yourself. You should give it a try sometime.
Steve R
Listing on eBay says sold for $45,000.
I’m a gear head and a huge Mopar fan, I would have it restored as a Barracuda. We had a 70 318 Barracuda in gold with a black top and interior we cruised every where in that car and on the highway we would get 19-20 MPG.
Sometimes they should be what they are.
That’s not true. Brand new cars are very complex, but there are plenty of very affordable performance cars from the mid-2000’s and earlier that aren’t nearly as complex, there are also plenty of makes and models dating back to the 1960’s that aren’t particularly expensive. They are near the bottom of the depreciation curve and readily available to anyone who is willing to put in some effort. The idea that only rich people will be able to afford cool cars is lazy, it’s what people who are more interested in complaining than actually rolling up their sleeves have been saying for decades.
Steve R
$45k?! He’s that nutty “I know what I got” guy. I absolutely love all things Mopar but this car is grossly overpriced for what it is. Honestly, there condition and options coupled with the “prick-ish”, “non-negotiable” term, used along with the ridiculous asking price….. just tells me that this guy doesn’t know the market, doesn’t know cars or just doesn’t want to sell at all. Maybe his wife forced him to list it. That would make sense out of his nonsensical ad.