Spirits were no doubt high at Plymouth in 1970 as the Barracuda “pony car” was redesigned. It had a whole new platform shared with the Challenger over at Dodge. Sales were up 50% over 1969 but quickly fell off a cliff in 1971 (due to a saturated market and rising insurance premiums on muscle cars). This ’71 Plymouth used to be a ‘Cuda 340, but it has been stripped of critical hardware and Mother Nature has been chewing away on the Mopar. Located in the desert in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this “project” has been bid up to $9,700 here on eBay.
Nearly 49,000 Barracudas were sold in 1970, a nice jump from 32,000 the year before. With visible changes in 1971 (mostly limited to quad headlights), production dropped to about 16,500 copies. What a kick in the teeth that had to be for Plymouth, something the car never recovered from (the Barracuda was cancelled in mid-1974). In ’71, just 5,400 ‘Cudas (the performance model) were built with about 60% fitted with a 340 cubic-inch V8 (per the VIN associated with this vehicle).
We don’t know the history of this machine, but we suspect it was left for dead long ago. Besides the engine and transmission taking flight, most of the glass in this Plymouth appears to be gone. The auction on eBay has seen a fair amount of action and the winning bid will likely be in the five figures. Since the car is quite rusty, you have to wonder what the bidders’ goals are. If this had once been a Hemi car, you’d expect to see a flurry of activity. Thanks for another vintage tip, Mitchell G.!
Dixon we’ve officially seen it all.
It’s interesting how ads for basket cases like this rarely include or show the entire VIN. If it’s included in the ad description or a commenter types it into their response it would show up if a future potential buyer entered the VIN into a Google search allowing them to see the sorry state of the car as it sits now, not as a “restored” probably matching numbers car.
Steve R
Respectfully, no kidding. Why would they publish the whole VIN number when the whole purpose of this auction is to sell the VIN to put on another car? That would defeat the purpose.
That’s my point, if you’ve got nothing to hide why not show it. I’m not sure if it’s still in effect but California mandated dealers include the VIN in any ad, when you saw that you knew it was someone with a dealers license that was selling the car even if there was no dealer name in the ad.
Steve R
Yes!Yes! I want to spend ten grand for this!
Hell, I’d be willing to spend 20 grand.
Uhp, uhp, uhp, not so fast, I bid ONE MILLION DOLLARS,,,that should do it,,,
Holy cow that’s too rusty. I sadly suspect the VIN will soon be reimagined on a 318 version.
POR12 wouldn’t hold this together.
I agree that POR-15 is way too big of an investment for this junk… maybe the cheaper POR-12 if I’m being generous!
Who looks at this hulk, and says “yes!” That’s exactly the car I’m looking for?
I am glad they let everybody know its a project.
Take the tow strap and bring to the nearest crusher…
There wouldn’t be much left by the time you got it to the crusher.
A “project” funny, almost got me… Maybe there is money in dragging these heaps out of the forest and putting them on eBay…?
Good thing the car is in New Mexico, otherwise it would have rusted away to dust. Looks like the only thig that didn’t rust away are the bumpers, a few pieces of glass and the rivets attaching the VIN tag.
Looks like a rare POS edition to me
Good thing they said it is a project or somebody might have thought it was a fly in drive home deal
I (as a diehard Mopar fan) find it pathetic that anyone would want a ‘cuda so badly that they’d spend10k on this pile of rusted metal! The restoration costs of this acquisition will quickly submerge deeply underwater, just in returning it to a running/driving state; let alone a concours restoration. “Buy the best car you can afford” is still sage advice. It may cost more, but you’ll save in the long run, and you won’t suffer the agony of an an unfinished dream! :-)
I came for the comments and you guys did not disappoint, but I’ll say it. Too many zeros, it’ll buff right out… There now it’s official. Funny thing about that eBay ad. Every time I click on the link it comes up momentarily and then disappears.
You forgot “Ran when parked.”
So many destroyed Mopar’s on this site you could make a new site just to cover them. Maybe call it graveyard cars or something if that’s not already taken…
(insert sarcasm)
Suddenly yesterday’s yellow one seems like a screaming deal !
If the Porche in pieces above is worth 7k this is worth at least 20.
Like I’ve said before, some people have more money than brains, lots of ambition & those cars will never be new again. With that being said, I think this one is pushing the envelope. I hate to see any car go to the crusher, but this one is DOA.
Is this the one they found on that sunken aircraft carrier?
There’s a guy on FB who is restoring one worse than this. It’s doable, just a lot of work.
He’s piling $50 worth of meat on a 50 cent sandwich.
I quite honestly do not get some, (thankfully not all) Mopar folks. If this junkyard dog has actually been bid up to $9,700 then there is honestly someone out there that needs the expertise of a mental help professional in a big way. Not only are there virtually zero redeeming qualities with this thing, there are no qualities at all. I am dumbfounded as to why someone would even bid $100, much less $9,700.
Headlight rings look good. Only 2500 bucks each and scrap the rest.
After reading all the comments so far, I typed barracuda in the search bar and reviewed all of them….. there are others in this shape or close. I can’t imagine getting involved in this… Good project for other people…
I would by a used current Challenger and be done with it.
I say this as one who bought a dealer demo 70 Barracuda Gran Coupe in 71…. red / white vinyl top.. the houndstooth upholstery…. 3i8 column auto… A/C… drove it 120 k miles for real in Ohio…. the rust got it. However, after seeing all the others, maybe someday mine will appear on BF !!!!!
BF has been around a while now…..just once I would like to see a buyer or reader return and post the before, during and after pics of the restoration following the purchase of one of these heaps. Maybe BF could have a section for such postings?
Do you honestly believe that there would ever be an “after” of this? If this was originally a hemi car someone like Mark Worman might take a shot at it but where is the value in little miss Plain Jane?
Nope, don’t expect to see any as I suggested…..it is and always has been about the
VIN imo.
There is an extra zero in the price.Like other comments maybe save the bumpers grille steering wheel and the glass
You’re looking at $75K, to restore this ‘Cuda, and that’s if you do most of the wrenching yourself …….And I restore Cars. Hard Pass on this one
He’s piling $50 worth of meat on a 50 cent sandwich.
This pile of crap isn’t worth commenting on, but I guess Mopar mania is still with us. Nope, I will put my money into mutual funds.
But, everybody IS commenting! Makes me wonder about us, George!