The 1970 model year was a big one for the Plymouth Barracuda. It finally got its own E-body platform, shedding the roots it had with the Valiant compact since 1964. Sales jumped by 50% in the first year and then declined sharply after that as shifting demand in the muscle car market rubbed off on the Barracuda. This ’73 ‘Cuda 340 is the fastest the “pony car” had to offer that year and is one of just 7,209 built. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this good-running Mopar has had some questionable body work done and a repaint. It’s available here on eBay where $20,300 is the current bid – reserve unmet.
One of the most popular engines that Chrysler offered in those days was the 340 cubic inch V8 that was rated at 275 hp with a 4-barrel carburetor (before emissions controls entered into the picture). Nearly 217,000 installations took place from 1968 to 1973, mostly in light cars like the Dodge Challenger, Plymouth Duster – and the Barracuda (or ‘Cuda to establish it as a separate model). The one in the seller’s car is said to run well, but the odometer reflects 93,000 miles. New parts include the brakes and the exhaust.
According to the seller, this Plymouth originally wore Tahitian Gold paint, which seems to differ from what’s on the car today. The seller believes the auto was hit in the left rear quarter panel and that repair may have ultimately resulted in the respray (timing). There is some minor rust brewing now in the fenders and the paint is showing some flaws though it still shines up nicely. This might be one of those vehicles which presents well at 10-20 feet.
The seller refers to this Plymouth as a “true survivor,” but purists would argue that a repaint voids that label. Everything seems to work well, and the car has factory air conditioning, Rally gauges, and an aftermarket stereo system. The automatic transmission comes with the popular “Slap-Stick” shifter. We’re told this is a good running car and you could likely pilot it for a while before revisiting the need for a cosmetic restoration, perhaps back to Tahitian Gold. BTW, there is no title as the State of Georgia didn’t go that route back in the day.
These are neat cars but this one repainted whatever godawful color over rust takes it out of the neat class, especially without any engine pictures.
TAHITIAN WALNUT is the colors name in another year and I thought this one…i had a 1973 road runner wearing that color white strip and L3 cream bench seat column shifter 318 car but in the SUN the REAL COLOR POPS OFF THE CHARTS with metallic flakes and a deep rich appearance!
Every picture will show it looking like a turd and in low light…it does for sure lol
I know what you mean by otherwise bland looking colors really popping in the sunlight.
For the first year of the new Bronco – 2021 – Ford had a blue that looked black in anything other than bright sunlight. Not very attractive to me. But when it hit the sun it was an awesome deep blue.
I went for a brighter blue considering that NH is dreary most of the time.
If you go to the eBay ad you will see shots of paint over rust. Going to be a money pit to rebuild this one.
That is one Gold car that looks like a Brown car. I guess ‘Tahitian Gold’, is one way to market a ‘Stay Around Brown’ hue…
And the seller says its a High Impact color !
This color does nothing for this car!
By ’73 everything was less strutting rooster and more plucked chicken. As has been covered ad nauseum. Emissions, insurance and safety had strangled the life out of most cars. Anyone looking for an E-body should consider this. It looks compete and worse cars have been brought back from the brink.
What is that with spoke wheel and looks like VW suspension,I wonder…
That’s the factory steering wheel for 1972 to 1974 Challengers/Barracudas. I’m not a big fan of it. Got a Tuff wheel to replace my two spoke.
Didn’t see suspension pics, even in the eBay ad. Maybe you saw the front torsion bar suspension? That’s factory on all E-body Mopars.
Yeah, I’m not crazy about the color also. Maybe it looks better in the sun?
It’s a sand rail. You can see the frame in one of the other pics. I’d guess an older one since the kingpin beam.
Seeing that steering wheel reminded me that I would sometimes get my fingers caught inside the holes of my ’73.
I had a 73 with a 318. It was stolen from me while in the Navy. I went out to sea and when I came back. I reported it but it was never found
No philbo look parked in front of the Cuda,a gasser style spoke wheel and tire..
I know you hate Mopar performance, and your constant hatred of the 340 is becoming legendary here – the 340 was still a performance engine in 73, less so than in the past, but only because of govt. regulations. the 360 couldn’t hold a candle to any 340. Isnt it time you started ragging on Ford or GM muscle cars ?
Ended at $25,500, Reserve Not Met.