Out of murky darkness comes a hungry predator, a 1973 Plymouth Barracuda from Wickliffe, Ohio seeking a new owner here on eBay. Few Mopar E-bodies turn up with a Buy It Now price as low as this one’s $5500 unless they’re in danger of being ripped into pieces as they’re winched onto your trailer. The missing 340 cid engine is prized for boxing above its weight with plenty of free-revving power, and this one came equipped with an automatic.
By 1973, the differences between Plymouth’s Barracuda and the sportier ‘Cuda were few, and both could be had with nearly any option. If you can stomach the painful ALL CAPS listing, you’ll find some details about rust repaired and yet to be repaired. The twilight photos leave some details to the imagination.
The handy decoder at stockmopar.com suggests a customer-ordered car with the black bucket seat and console interior you see here, Rallye Red paint, front disc brakes, dual chrome mirrors, inside hood release, trunk light, hood-mounted turn-signal indicators, lots of chrome trim, V6X Black Longitude Sports Stripe, and dual chrome exhaust tips. A dealer would have been unlikely to pile on so many nifty but low-budget options except on a car with more expensive options like air-conditioning.
Were it not for the decoded fender tag and exposed red behind the missing brake plate, we might think the car was originally black, because Plymouth and Dodge (unlike GM and Ford) carried the body color into the engine compartment. In this case someone probably just decided that the red engine compartment had faded and stained by fluids to the point where waving a spray can around to make it all black seemed like a good idea. Scavengers picked over this Barracuda over the years, so please hesitate unless you have a Mopar-rich warehouse of parts or a boatload of disposable income. It could make a sweet restoration in all-original form, but it could also make a wicked Pro-Touring style or a Trans-Am style ride true to its 340 roots. How would you do it?
How about a 5.7 litre Hemi and 6 speed automatic added to a restored body and interior. Upgrade the suspension etc.
Have fun sounds like a good receipe.
I vote for a slant six three speed, but thats just how I roll.
Well the original 340 is gone so maybe a crate 408 would be a nice “small block” replacement.A Cuda from 1973 is a great muscle car.
Too many zeros on the end of that price for this heap.
It’s amazing it survived, even in this condition. I live in Ohio, and yesterday there was so much salt on the road that it sounded like I was driving on a stone road. It makes you cringe.
What a dramatic intro to this write-up ,almost as in the theaters!
It’s sad its 340 is gone, however that means new owner need not worry about tearing up a #s matching car.This car would be the perfect candidate for a resto-mod /pro-touring build.
I think any high-revving SB Chrysler would make a great new heart in this fish. Might agree with Sidney; a turbocharged /6 coupled to a 4/5 speed stick would be a ‘different’ build – or if you REALLY wanna be different; how ’bout stuffing an Aussie 245 I6 Hemi in there? Then you can justify putting the enormous Hemi callout decals on its quarters!
Slant six with trip holleys and headers?
Why not? Clifford 6=8 is still around. As a teen I was crewing on a 225 slant 6 with one of their heads on a 1/4 mile bullring. It stayed with the 292 and 300 CI Chevys and Fords, Won a few also by turning 1000 RPM more.
Demon crate motor, call it the Demon Fish.
Car is to far gone not that deserible either.for what u would spend u could buy nice car allready done that was never abused
Pentastar V-6 much more horsepower than the original 340, faster revving, lighter, and much better gas mileage especially when paired up with the 8 speed torqueflight. What breathes better than a Hemi…..Double overhead cam 4 valves per cylinder….revs like the Clippers.
How about transplant All the drive package from an all wheel drive doner car. Old school body, modern handling and brakes with FI. Too much for this stripped roller, IMO. Good luck to the new owner and seller.