The Plymouth Barracuda shed its heritage with the Valiant compact in 1970. That came in the form of a new E-body platform the “pony car” would share with the new Dodge Challenger. The public’s response was strong, and sales increased by 50%. But the newfound success didn’t stick as that segment of the market was flush with competitors and the performance image of the car came under the scrutiny of the insurance industry, resulting in higher premiums. This 1974 ‘Cuda is from the car’s last year and it looks good at a glance but has underbody rust and a lack of a powertrain. Located in Pollock Pines, California, this project is available here on eBay. The current bid is $7,100 and the reserve is unmet.
Plymouth’s ‘Cuda was the performance side of the Barracuda. In 1970 and 1971, you could get one equipped with 383, 440, or 426 Hemi V8s. But all that changed in 1972 and the best you could do was a 340 (a 360 in ’74). In fact, the “regular” Plymouth 318 was now available in the ‘Cuda, turning it into image more than muscle in many cases. From 48,867 Barracudas built in 1970, the tally was down to just 11.734 copies in 1974, with 4,989 ‘Cudas (and – of those – 3,798 were 318 Cudas like the seller’s example). Chrysler elected to exit the pony car market in the Spring of ’74.
The seller has no illusions that this ‘Cuda is a good candidate for a full restoration. Rather, he/she suggests the ideal buyer would be a DIYer who would rather fix rather than restore. Because in most of the photos provided, there are holes in the metal in many places you look. And since it will never be numbers matching, you might want to pick an engine/transmission that suits your purpose rather than recreate what was once there.
Though the photos suggest otherwise, we’re told almost everything else is there to put this car back together. There are some new items, like the brakes (front head to toe), and the tires are more recent and should work just fine. The front will need to be rebuilt and a kit to do that will come with the sale. The paint, perhaps Sublime in color, was redone earlier and may be good enough for a Cars & Coffee driver. To help you with the MIA engine, the seller has a 440 V8 6-Pack that can be added for extra coins. The same is said for a 4-speed manual (this was originally an automatic transmission car).
Rockin’ the Stone Age here.
Add Bridgestone tires, an engine to hold Keystone oil, and use Flintstone brakes.
Based on the pictures in the ad, whoever buys this can’t say they weren’t warned. I have several friends, that should have known better, buy absolute junk because it had shiny paint in a bright color.
Steve R
“There are some new items, like the brakes (front head to toe), and the tires are more recent and should work just fine.”
Brakes by Frye Boots? It certainly would lend to the Flintstones theme.
Frye Boots. Now that’s an awesome 70’s throwback namedrop.
I own a 74 since 1980 was a 318 auto now has a 440 From the back of the doors forward very little rust floors rockers fenders Allgood From back of the doors back it is a mess lots of rust
The 72-74s were just as nice of cars, at least if you could settle for a regular engine. The selling problem wasn’t the lack of muscle (most 70/71s were sold with sixes or 318s), the problem was that they cost quite a bit more than a Duster, and the insurance people over charged for them, even with a 318. By 1974 Chrysler was starting to feel the pinch, the one that would almost strangled them a half decade later, and they needed to cut costs. These cars made the most sense to cut as the buyers seemed to have lost interest. Too bad they gambled on the Volare/Aspen, what a dumb idea. They could have kept the Dart/Valiant group going instead by improving them and lowering the asking price. That would have saved Chrysler without that big loan. Even then, not all buyers were into the latest greatest thing, many wanted solid reliable value.
The notion of the Aspen and Volare being a weight on Chrysler and cause of the near bankruptcy is factually false.
The cars got off to a tough start being rushed into production and early rust issues that were mostly resolved by the end of year one.
In their 5 year run, they sold well over 1.8 million units in the US alone. The North American total is well north of 2 million. A sales success that any manufacturer today drools over reaching half that amount.
Rather than being just canceled, they evolved into the M body platform that continued for another decade as the Diplomat/Gran Fury (Caravelle in Canada)/Fifth Ave.
Yes they had quality issues after the first year, but were pretty well in line with any American car at the time. The malaise era. Of course there’s the stories of the bad one someone owned, etc. But for a supposed bad car, people sure bought them up.
As for the ‘cuda here, the round tail lights I never did like them. And would not spend the rust repair money on a ‘72-74.
Yup, the Dodge Diplomat was basically an Aspen, and they sold those through 1989, and it became a favorite of law enforcement. Ditto for the Fifth Avenue. Very popular and beloved.
So I definitely would not call it a failure, though the early cars had some issues, undoubtedly.
I wonder how many cans of Bondo was used on the 1/4 panels!!? Also the rocker panels ,doors etc..! This is a holy mess!! Can’t believe people are bidding on it! 🤦♂️ Walk away it’s not worth it. It looks like it was sitting in a salt pit for many years! Parts car for $1,500. 🐻🇺🇸
What a mess. A picture/s speak a thousand words. I believe the seller has been very upfront. White walls on Rallye’s is a laugher. At the current $8000 would seem about right.
Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert hall!
This is about the ugliest presentation of a ‘Cuda I have ever seen…
Very honest seller – it is what it is.