The Plymouth Barracuda was all-new in 1970, and buyers responded by scooping up one-third more copies than they did in 1969. The ‘Cuda performance model represented about a third of the overall production. The seller’s car began life with a 318 cubic inch V8, but has since joined the ‘Cuda clone world with a 340 engine now residing under the hood. Located in Bonney Lake, Washington, the seller is moving and would prefer the car not to go with him/her. Nice overall, the Mopar is available here on craigslist for $33,000. Our compliments to “Curvette” for yet another vintage tip.
Prior to 1970, the Barracuda was somewhat of a Valiant in disguise. To better compete with the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro, Chrysler treated the Barracuda to a new E-body platform in 1970. And shared it with the latest entry in the pony car space, Dodge’s Challenger. While sales were brisk in the first year, timing was off for the two new Mopars. Sales of the Barracuda dropped by two-thirds in 1971 as the muscle car market was cooling down, thanks to competitive saturation and rising insurance premiums.
The seller acquired this Plymouth 11 years ago, and it had already had the 340-conversion done. But the original 318 came with that deal, and the seller has it to pass along to the next owner should they want to do a clone reversal. The car has 120,000 miles on it, though how many of those were accumulated with the 275 hp-rated Mopar isn’t mentioned. The 340 is paired with an A904 automatic transmission.
This Barracuda was built in California and has likely lived there ever since. Documentation going back 47 years has been kept, so much of the history of the vehicle is known. During the seller’s stewardship, the automobile has had some repairs and/or new parts, including the carburetor, aftermarket wheels and tires, and a front brake conversion from drums to discs. But the list also features a new radiator, starter, and ignition switch.
The interior has been refreshed, including the upholstery and carpeting (done by the prior owner). The dash pad could stand to be replaced. A collection of extra parts has been saved for the car’s next caretaker. The vinyl top looks good, and the green paint might be an older refresh (just a hunch). We’re told the machine runs and drives well, so as long as clones don’t matter to you, this could be a nice purchase.
Nice looking car. Remove the only Cuda emblem which is on the taillight panel and it’s hard to call it a clone. Performance hoods by themselves don’t make a car a clone.
The body and paint seem nice enough that someone looking for a Barracuda with some performance upgrades to use as a weekend cruiser should be happy. Though it’s not inexpensive, it seems to be a better value than most of the early-70’s E-body’s featured on this site.
Steve R
Yep, all I see: remove the panel badge, repaint the taillight panel back to body color, put on a flat hood (which would also remove the ‘Cuda badges there), then it’s no longer visibly a clone.
Not a bad price based on the pics. I bet this one doesn’t last long.
The Other Chris is right! Remove the ‘Cuda items, and it’s a nice car! Would have been nice to kept it as original!
If someone puts a larger engine in a car it isn’t always a clone I have a 74 Barracuda after I broke the 318 I put in a 440 It is not a. clone or a tribute it’ is just a 74 Barracuda with a 440
Clone=counterfeit.
Well maybe in your world. Webster says, “made in exact imitation of something valuable or important with the intention to deceive or defraud.” No deception or intent to defraud, so, No
Wont last long, it’s a solid car to start with…
For $33k you get body dents, dirt and grime, the wrong engine (and the right one, too), 120,000 miles of unknown other issues, and lots of compelling Army green. But if you all say it’s a deal…
IDK this might not be popular but I don’t see a $33K car here IMO. This is my take being real about what I see. The body and paint are fair in condition/quality at best. Paint is dull, visible good size dents up and down the drivers side body line of the car (doesn’t show the passenger side who knows what that looks like). The chrome on the bumpers is in poor condition being very dull with a lot of pitting. Tailpipes are rusty as is the entire exhaust. Only thing newer looking outside is the vinyl top. Engine compartment looks to be an older dated job that need a lot of detailing and updating. Interior again looks fair. Front seats look nice but you have miss matched front and rear seats, the carpet is old looking and the top of the dash is all cracked up. This is just the things shown in the ad. I am sure judging by whats there this car needs a complete restoration. I just don’t see $33k barracuda that has a couple cuda parts and needing this much work being a good buy at this much. Maybe $20K. For a comp, I found one here in WI that shows much nicer. Has nice looking paint, with a 426 hemi 4 speed. Looks to be a much newer job and just a much nicer condition car that you could take to car shows the way it is for $31K asking price. That car has more than a $10k start over this one.
That being said, if you can get it for the right price, its not a bad start to a father/son project or leave it as a driver quality car and not worry about the way it looks. Just my $0.02
Agree, 20k tops
Yeah, I agree with you guys, I don’t see a $33,000 car but it is a nice driver for sure. It looks like it still has the 904 tranny/7 1/4 rear end from the 318 engine so definitely might want to switch over to the included 8 1/4 rear end. Not a fan of green cars, but this one’s OK. It presents well and the seller is giving good details in their ad even down to the VIN number differentiating the base barracuda from the ‘Cuda. it looks solid for sure, which is a nice thing and has some nice upgrades from stock. Nice it has the rally Dash and console as well.
Yeah peel off the ‘Cuda emblems out back and on the hood and go for a cruise!
Any ’70 – ’74 Barracuda with little to no rust is going to run at least 30K. It’s the sad reality of these in-demand Mopar models and the “I know what I got” attitude of most sellers.
I have wanted another one for a long time – first car was a ’73 Barracuda – but they are now priced out of my range.
Has any found a unmolested rust free Barracuda lately. This one is a driver, priced at Corolla & civic pricing. Has any one priced a professional paint job lately? Exactly. I would rather have a beautiful stock one for 33K, that ain’t happening
Has any found a unmolested rust free Barracuda lately. This one is a driver, priced at Corolla & civic pricing. Has any one priced a professional paint job lately? Exactly. I would rather have a beautiful stock one for 33K, that ain’t happening
If you find a shop that will even want to do old cars like this, around here they will say $15K minimum to start for good quality body work and paint job. Base coat, clear and good primer has gotten ridiculous. For me again, I would rather find one like this https://bham.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cedar-grove-1970-plymouth-barracuda/7927560429.html, than pay this much for this one and have to stick at least another $30k to make it nice and that is if you can do most of the work yourself. At the end of the day, a barracuda even with a beautiful restoration will only be worth X amount which will be way less than you will have in it.
A new dealer/business with a really good looking 426 Hemi 4spd 1970 Cuda for $31,200. What could go wrong?
I’m thinking maybe I should wiring a deposit.
Steve R
Guess find a nice one around 25 grand and get back with us…..