While the photos of the 1973 Plymouth sitting in this garage suggest it is a ‘Cuda 340, the VIN reveals it is a tidy clone. The seller purchased it as part of a collection, spending the time and money lifting its presentation to a high level for a driver-quality classic. All good things must end, so the time has come for this Plymouth to find a new home. It is listed here on eBay in Tampa, Florida. Bidding sits at $25,001, although it remains short of the reserve. Those wishing to bypass the auction process could hit the BIN button at $34,900.
The seller indicates they scored this Barracuda as part of a package deal and have been using it as a daily driver. They say they made it look nice, but it is unclear whether the process included a repaint or any other restoration work. The orange paint gracing its panels is a mystery because, in some light, it looks like Vitamin C Orange. In other shots, it appears to be Hemi Orange. Regardless of which it is, it shines beautifully and shows no evidence of significant defects. The seller seems approachable, allowing them to answer any questions about the paint shade and whether there have been any restoration or rust repairs in the past. The panels look clean, and the seller doesn’t mention any existing or prior problems on that front. The trim is excellent, the glass is spotless, and the Barracuda rolls on a new set of Cragar SS wheels that suit its character perfectly.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but this shot will deceive some people. It indicates the engine bay contains a 340ci V8, but the reality is something different. The Barracuda features a 318ci V8, a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, and power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The motor should produce 150hp, allowing the car to romp through the ¼ mile in 17.3 seconds. That may not seem fast, but it was about what buyers expected as tightening emission regulations took a hefty bite out of engine performance. I believe the engine may be original, although the seller indicates the TorqueFlite is new. The same is true of the tires, and their claim that they use the Barracuda as a daily driver suggests it is in sound mechanical health. That should make it ready to go for an enthusiast seeking instant gratification.
If the Barracuda’s exterior makes a positive impression, its interior continues that theme. The seats are upholstered in Black vinyl that is free from wear and physical damage. The carpet looks new, as does the headliner. The dash presents well, but I think it may wear a cap to disguise what could be a cracked pad. The original owner didn’t load it with luxury equipment, and the factory radio disappeared in favor of a CD player. This feeds sound to a set of speakers mounted nicely in the rear parcel tray. Once again, the interior isn’t 100% original, but it should provide motoring pleasure without causing the new owner shameful feelings at a Cars & Coffee.
While some purists view clones with disdain, they have their place within the classic scene. They appeal to people who wish to experience the thrill of owning a desirable vehicle but lack the financial means to achieve their dream. That is graphically demonstrated by the differing values between a 1973 Barracuda and a ‘Cuda from the same year. The more desirable ‘Cuda commands a 50% premium in the current market above the price of an identically equipped Barracuda. For some, that extra expense can be a bridge too far and represents the difference between achieving a dream and being reduced to a boring existence behind the wheel of some anonymous vehicle with zero character or charisma. If I were to buy this Plymouth, the only change I might make would be to dump the “340” badges because, with what rests under the hood, they take the clone concept one step too far. Otherwise, I’d slip behind the wheel of this gem and enjoy all it offers. That’s what the seller intended, and I don’t see a problem with that thinking.
✔✔✔
You’d dump the badges, I’d dump the engine. “Numbers matching” is never going to add much value to a 318 Barracuda, so why not complete the cloning process with a 340?
Just think if everyone stopped paying crazy clone or fake prices for wannabe cars, AKA Shelby, Dodge Charger, SS Chevy,etc. then we would have a great again hobby!
Very easy to like.
What a mixmaster. Very sharp on the outside, snoozefest on the inside. It’s badged 340, make it a 340, don’t overbadge. I had a Chally 318 auto but at least it had a console shift. Column shifts have no place in a Cuda IMHO.
It looks nice and while I’m not a huge fan of the 318 it is a dependable engine and you can squeeze more ponies out it relatively easy, but that column shifter…
Still a beautiful car, average Joe driving down the road wouldn’t know a clone if it hit them, only a true car freak is going to pick out those details. Other than the price, we know what it really is. ( Still nice )
Ended today $25,401 reserve not met.
Really? A slushbox 318 faked up on the outside to look like a 340 ‘Cuda? Really? I can see the stoplight race when a Honda pulls up next to it. Off the go at the turn of the light…… The “‘Cuda” driver yelling…”Wait, wait…I’m coming….”
Sorry I’m cranky. Just had enough of the BS all around. I’ll be better tomorrow!
Uncle Tony hopped up a 318 with basically stock parts in Project Bottle Rocket and that car hauled ash.
Gave me new respect for that little V8.
Really! I watched his video at the strip and it was a complete bust . He’s now into 383’s
That was Pork Chops car and they were building it on an extreme budget with used stock parts and a hotter stock cam from another engine, with the intention of throwing it together, see how it does and fix what breaks. The thing ran strong but needed a lot of sorting out, most of it not engine related. I think Pork Chop may not have had the motivation to keep up with Tony and they had a parting of ways. I was surprised and disappointed when they sent the block to Nick Paranitis for dyno and Nick discovered it was full of dirt and metal shavings! Either somebody dropped the ball cleaning up the block before the build or someone sabotaged it.
Yeah, 25K is all this is worth. That hood stayed closed for a reason, needs to be finished up with a 340 in order to get into the 30’s.
The interior reminds me of my plain jane 318 ’73 that was my first car in ’78.
We had a 72 Fury with a 318 when I was a kid. Fleet car that my Dad bought from his company when they sold it. We called it the gold bomb. It was a gutless wonder. I can’t imagine this Barracuda is going to be much different.
Fortunately, it and the 69 green bomb were long gone before I started driving.
What’s with the fugly black overriders… all this effort, put on chrome ’70 bumpers, and convert it to console shifter, or better yet, 4-speed. Nice car overall, but this is a half-assed attempt. Why did they not throw their full ass into it for not much more money? This kind of car drives me nuts. Do it right, or don’t do it at all.
Oh yeah, and throw in a 340. Unless this is a junkyard pull stock 318, not much more to build a 340. I love 318’s, but if you’re going to represent as a 340, do a 340.
The bumper overriders were stock on ’73 and ’74 Barracudas, probably a safety mandate.
This owner decided to throw them back on after painting the bumpers – personal choice.
I didn’t know they were still making those Cragars.
Keystone Klassics, too? Good to know.
Interesting that there’s not a decent front end shot…