During the 1960s, the Plymouth Barracuda was always in the sales shadow of the Ford Mustang. Even though it was introduced in the same market segment 17 days earlier. The car got a redesign in 1970 along with its own platform, the E-body (with the Dodge Challenger), which finally distanced the car from the Valiant compact. The seller has a rough project in the form of a 1971 convertible, which was born with a 318 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission. Its rarity today is driving the auction here on eBay, where the current bid is $30,700, reserve unmet. If you want to inspect the car in person, you’ll need to find your way to Shingle Springs, California.
Sales of the Barracuda improved by 50% from 1969 to 1970, so Plymouth had reason to be optimistic. Yet, demand took a two-thirds nose-dive in 1971, likely because of the car’s association with the muscle car market, which had become a target of the insurance companies. Out of only 16,492 Barracudas built in 1971, just 1,387 were non-Cuda convertibles, like the seller’s car. The number that has likely survived without going to the junkyard may only number in the hundreds.
If you decode this Plymouth, you’ll find that it left the factory wearing GB2 Blue Metallic paint. It was a bucket seat car with a console, and the 318 engine was paired with a floor-shifted TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Sometime in the past 55 years, the transmission was converted to a manual (3 or 4 speed and is it still around?
We don’t know what’s happened to it over the years, and the interior is mostly MIA after the collapse of the convertible top. The assumption is that what you see is what you get, so if it’s not in the photos, it’s not there for the extensive restoration this car will need. Would you restore it to factory specs, or would you opt for a ‘Cuda 340, 383, 440, or Hemi clone? Whatever the case, the acquisition price will not be cheap.
People will pay through the nose for Barracuda’s in this shape missing so much just to make Hemi clones they know will get over 150k at auction…Being a convertible wouldnt be surprised if a hemi clone would grab over 250k.
A fool and their money are soon parted……………….
Not a fool if you have the bread….
A fool and HIS/HER money… “A fool and THEIR money” would mean a fool and SOME OTHER UNDISCLOSED PEOPLE’S money…
Excellent comment jangus!
Extent of rust and/or prior accident damage is the only thing that matters here. It’s pretty much a builder shell.
We have a 1970 Cuda Convert currently in the shop in the process of being restored. Bought off a scrap truck for $200 in 1986. IIRC it is 1 of 88.
I thought Nash Bridges used these up years ago especially California cars.I read that they made a 70 Cuda into a 71.
pretty crusty underneath. looking at the paperwork in the listing is a bit concerning to me but i am not a buyer.
So many people here have already chimed in and said this is overpriced and only a fool would pay for it, and I expect that many more will leave a similar comment.
The same comment also makes up 90% of the content of most Porsche posts.
Funny how these seem to sell consistently at high prices, must be more “idiots” out there than smart people.
Face it, R/Ts, E-body convertibles, and late 60’s and early 70’s Porsches are in a league of their own, sky’s the limit.
I can’t begin to imagine how I would justify this purchase to my wife!
LOL….the only person I would have to justify a purchase too, would be myself…outside of that….Never going to happen!
Very encouraging for me, being the owner of a 71 convertible with factory air, bucket seats without a console, original 318 2bbl, under 60,000 miles.
Another car missing all of the front end parts. Maybe from collision damage, who knows….
I visualize a huge pile of front grilles, bumpers, support parts, etc from all of these cars on Barnfinds, Craigslist, E bay, etc.
Crime Scene.
30k for What a rusted out car from New York.
Ended at $40,200.
Reserve Not Met.
69 bids.