Sometimes life throws us a curve ball that forces change. Such is the case with this 1973 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340. Its owner planned a restoration, but they now face selling this classic to fund their son’s medical and rehabilitation costs following a motorcycle accident. It needs work, but it is complete, and the seller offers potential buyers without the skills to tackle its rust issues a tempting option worth further investigation. The ‘Cuda is listed here on Craigslist in Newark Valley, New York. They set their price at $12,000 but will entertain reasonable offers. I must thank eagle-eyed Barn Finder TommyT-Tops for spotting this interesting project car.

I’ve lost count of how many project ‘Cudas we’ve seen over more than a decade at Barn Finds, but our feature car is far from the worst. It would have looked stunning when new in its combination of Honey Gold paint with a Black vinyl top. Those days are long behind it, and it requires significant metal work to return to a rust-free state. The tin worm has attacked the usual lower body extremities, with the buyer facing the replacement of the rear quarter panels, one front fender, the trunk pan, and extensions. The health of the floors is unclear, but the rails are good. There are no issues with the Rallye hood beyond peeling paint, and although some trim pieces require replacement, the glass looks fine. The seller offers an option worth considering for those surveying this classic’s rust issues and believing they are beyond their skill level. They have onsite facilities for sheetmetal and restoration work, so the buyer may be able to negotiate repairs to a point where they feel capable of completing the project themselves. It is an option worth pursuing further because it may remove some of the stress from this project.

Since this is a ‘Cuda 340, it is no surprise to find a 340ci V8 occupying its engine bay. The original owner backed this with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, while power front disc brakes bring proceedings to a halt. The motor would have produced 240hp in its prime, making the car capable of covering the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds. The seller confirms the engine is numbers-matching, although they’re unsure about the transmission. It currently runs off an external fuel source, and the seller says it yard-drives okay. It isn’t roadworthy, but they include a new fuel tank and sender unit to help that process. If the V8 doesn’t produce any smoke or odd noises, performing a complete detail and some essential maintenance might be this drivetrain’s only need.

Another aspect of this Plymouth requiring love is its interior. The original owner ordered the car with bucket seats, a wood-trimmed center console, and an AM radio. The last item is gone, but the interior is otherwise intact. The buyer faces a total retrim, leaving them to choose whether to reinstate the original Black vinyl or whether they might go more upmarket. The single most painful replacement item will be a new dash pad because high-quality reproductions retail for around $1,000. The seats require new covers, with the shopping list extending to a headliner and carpet set. Beyond those items, I wouldn’t spend a dime until I’d thoroughly cleaned everything. That approach may reveal things like the door trims to be serviceable, saving money on what could potentially be an expensive part of this build.

This 1973 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 represents a major restoration project, and the work won’t be for the faint-hearted. However, with values climbing consistently, it deserves a closer look. Some readers will feel the required rust repairs are beyond their skill level, and discussing that with the seller could be worth the effort because they may offer the option to return the car to a rust-free state. Is it a concept you would consider pursuing further?