Last week we got a look at a stock, original (other than the exhaust system) ’71 Dodge Challenger, a nice basic two-door hardtop. Today, it is the Challenger’s corporate cousin, a Plymouth Barracuda, (or in this case a ‘Cuda), also a ’71. There are quite a few differences between the two so let’s delve in. This ‘Cuda is located in Kansas City, ????? (The seller doesn’t specify Missouri or Kansas) and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $7,500, one bid tendered.

This Barracuda was a performance version and that’s the reason for the ‘Cuda moniker. As opposed to the basic 318 CI V8 engine as found in last week’s Challenger, this Cuda up’d the game a bit with a more potent 340 CI V8; more on that later. While both the Challenger and the Barracuda were Mopar “E” bodies, the Barracuda came with a four-inch shorter wheelbase. Beyond that, there were more similarities than differences.

This particular example is, how shall I say it, less than complete. It’s pretty much missing everything, interior; glass; engine; transmission; wiring; yeah, everything. And what’s left is half steel, half rust. The seller states, “The front floor pan needs replaced along with the quarters, trunk pan,trunkdrop off on both sides, rear foot pan and rear seat pan. What you see is what you get as far as parts.” But it’s not a complete write-off as he further adds, “The car has good frame rails, inner fenders, firewall, cowl with numbers, radiator cross support with numbers, rockers and subframe cross members.” OK, so there is something here to work with I suppose. Originally, this ‘Cuda was finished in “Curious Yella” with black quarter panel “Billboards” proclaiming the engine size. I guess the fenders aren’t really attached as there are images included, like the one above, that show the passenger side fender removed. There’s a similar image showing the driver’s side too.

Under the hood was a 340 CI “LA” series V8 engine good for 275 gross HP. It’s now a roller so the new owner can knock themselves out, putting whatever they choose under the hood. My serious concern would be making certain that there is something to attach a new engine to. The seller lists this Plymouth as having an automatic transmission so I guess it used to possess a TorqueFlite A727, three-speed automatic. He also adds that he thinks this example had a Shaker Hood due to a hole in the firewall for the cable. I suppose that’s possible but the car obviously has the wrong hood now.

As for the interior, there’s nothing, no dash; instruments; steering wheel/column; pedals; seats; glass; door cards and according to the seller, a useable floor either. There’s nothing!

It would appear that this ‘Cuda was picked over and left for dead. Someone came along, figured out what it was, “was” being the operative word and is trying to move it on that basis. There is one bid tendered for $7,500;  that’s a lot of cabbage for a VIN don’t you think? I’d take it and smile like a Cheshire cat.