By 1973 the Plymouth ‘Cuda was on it’s way out, a victim of regulations and gas prices. As a result, the few that were produced have become collectors items and almost any part is available for restoration. That’s a good thing, as you’ll definitely need some sheet metal to refurbish this one that has been listed for sale here on eBay without a reserve in Eureka, California. The auction is coming to a close and bidding has only just topped $2,000, so you could see a bargain here — if you are willing to do a lot of work!
When I first saw the pictures of this car I was on my phone, and on the small screen I thought it was a convertible. Nope! The seller tells us there was once a white vinyl top on the car that apparently did a terrific job of trapping moisture underneath. That driver’s side rear quarter is another area the seller tells us is rusty. I was honestly amazed to see that replacement roof panels are offered by many vendors — is this really a problem that often with these cars?
There’s also a little accident damage on the left rear, although that pales to me in comparison to the rust. The seller tells us that they have the rear bumper, bumper guards and valence to go with the car. If you’re wondering, the ‘Cuda was the performance variant of the Barracuda and both existed at the same time.
The right side of the car looks better, and it’s believed that this is a factory stripe over factory paint, so while it may be pretty grungy, at least you would be the first person to attempt to make things right and you won’t be fixing someone else’s previously bodged efforts.
Surprisingly, even the rocker panel on the right side of the car doesn’t look too bad.
While everything is there in the interior (even possibly savable floors) you will want to replace it. I can smell it from here. I’m really curious why some previous owner decided to put what I think is a Cobra decal on the right side of the dash. Perhaps this blasphemy has something to do with a helicopter rather than the Shelby cars?
There’s something missing here! The original 340 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission are long gone. The seller tells us that the car also originally had air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and front disc brakes.
As you can see the coveted trim tag is still in place so that those that choose to do so (calling Mark Worman) can restore this Mopar to its original beauty. Do you think it’s worth digging this one out of the leaves? Or would you leave it there to rust even more?
Doors stuck due to frame ..
Junkyard art with no engine or Title…
And for that reason…I’m out!
Unfortunately I’d say stick a fork in it, it’s done. If you need some parts, maybe this would work if the parts aren’t too rusted.
Rumplestiltskin !
Part her out. Lots of stuff left
Even my dog said “ruff” when she saw this.
I always loved these Cuda’s. Would be sad to see another go, woukd be nice to keep them rolling down the road again.
“Leave” it sit. Nothing here to see.
If you saw some of the starting conditions of a few Sunbeam Tigers that I’ve seen restored in the last 10 years, you’d think this not that terrible. A ton of work and money needed here for sure, but that would make the low starting price seem like the effort would be worth it in the end. JMHO.
340 or 360 for ’73? Doesn’t matter here anyways since the heart is gone out of this fish. Neat car, some time ago it must have been a good Friday night cruiser.
340 in ’73. Replaced by 360 in ’74.
Forget it. Total junk. The car is destroyed.
In the late 70’s my brother bought a Cuda with a 318 and 3 speed floor shift from a dealer. They very generously put a nice new floor mat in the trunk, hiding the fact that the trunk floor was almost totally gone from rust. And in the daylight my brother found that because the car had been parked under trees and the drains had plugged up with tree junk, the firewall had a hole rusted in it the size of a postcard. The dealer refused to do anything for him after he discovered these things, of course… but he considerately traded it in one night on something else a while later, at the same dealer.
Luv it on trade in..Paybacks a b*tch 😂🤣😁
Reminded me of a time when my dad retired USAF moved back on a farm he had purchased. It was twenty minutes from town.
His truck battery had died and his brother swore he had a fairly new one for twenty dollars.
The truck started day one and died by the next summer morning.
My dad didn’t trade it in on a new one in town and just
stuck it in the barn until six months later the brother stopped by asking on a battery..
He said well the guy I bought this one from swore it was a good one …
Needless to say he got a call later saying you sold me a bad battery and who was this guy 😂
I wonder how they are going to move it onto a trailer without breaking the poor old smoked fish in half.
Was the roof so bad that they cut it all out so now rain can just rust out the rest of the car. Smart move.
Looks like two different sized screws on the trim plate?
If anyone goes to see it,there is a very good Microbrewery in Eureka that also does great food.
If the roof is that bad , can you imagine what the floors and inside of the frame rails look like? Parts car all the way.
Are two halfs better than one whole smoked fish?
This car was dead and buried.
Why must someone disturb it’s nap?
When I was a kid, there was a junkyard in town with a stack of old cars visible from outside the fence. The car on top, an old fifties Chevy, had written on the driver’s door the words “RUST IN PEACE.”
This car is too far gone. Leave her be.
Just my opinion, but I personally don’t think there are enough of them still around where we can afford to just let another one die. My brother and I restored cars that were much worse than this in Upstate NY for close to 30 years. Not sure at my age I could do another full blown resto, but SOMEBODY should! Just sayin…Mopar to ya!
I love these cars, but this one is a turd. You’d be better off buying a reproduction body and building a car from scratch. I believe these replacement bodies come with there own vin number which would be fine by me.
Another upside down project car that needs everything done to it!! I see this as one of those, ” I’ll get to it one day” cars!!!