Are all classics created equal? That’s a loaded question to which there is no definitive answer. Regardless of what badge it wears, those who advocate for a particular vehicle will rightly identify some attribute that lifts it a rung above the opposition. Take this 1969 Plymouth ‘Cuda. It is an extremely rare classic featuring a Special Order 440ci V8 under the hood. It has a well-documented history tracing its life from the very beginning. This brutal beast is set to find a new home, with the seller listing the ‘Cuda here at ACC Auctions in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bidding sits at $25,000, and I suspect that it will climb significantly before the hammer falls.
The 1969 model year marked the end of the line for Plymouth’s Second Generation Barracuda range. It may have been the end of an era, but Plymouth introduced the ‘Cuda as a performance package that was V8-only territory. This ‘Cuda was ordered by its original owner in Scorch Red, seeing regular action until being parked for decades with 25,000 miles on its odometer. It found its way to its second owner in the 1990s and was treated to a nut-and-bolt restoration in 2017. The odometer has only climbed to 26,878 miles since work ended, confirming that nobody has gone out of their way to wear out this classic. Therefore, its spotless presentation is understandable. The paint looks flawless, the panels are laser-straight, while the underside shots reveal floors that you could eat off. Scrutinizing the excellent array of supplied images confirms that the trim and glass are spotless, and if you remove the stripes from the equation, the steel wheels and dogdish hubcaps make this ‘Cuda a real sleeper.
The biggest and most potent engine a buyer could select when ordering a “regular” 1969 ‘Cuda was the 383ci V8. It placed 330hp and 410 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal, which many owners would have deemed more than enough. However, by utilizing the Special Fleet process, buyers could drive away in a ‘Cuda with a 440ci V8 under the hood. Cars would be removed from the Hamtramck production line without a motor. They were shipped to Hurst-Campbell, who installed the 440 before shipping the vehicle to the assigned dealership. There were a couple of drawbacks. The first was that the physically larger engine left no room in the engine bay for power assistance for the steering or brakes. The other was that Plymouth feared that equipping these cars with a manual transmission might compromise rear-end reliability. Therefore, all ‘Cuda 440s ordered in 1969 teamed the monster motor with a three-speed A-727 TorqueFlite. This car’s first owner also ticked the box beside the 8¾” Sure Grip rear end with 3.55 gears. With the motor churning out 375hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque, this will be a genuinely fast car. The first thing to note is that this Plymouth is numbers-matching, which is an important consideration when assessing its relative worth as an investment prospect. It is also in excellent mechanical health and comes with an enormous dossier of documentation tracing the car’s entire history.
The restoration of this ‘Cuda didn’t end when the panels and paint were perfect, because the owner lavished plenty of TLC on its interior. It received a complete retrim, presenting in as-new condition. The Red vinyl upholstered surfaces and carpet show no evidence of wear, and the dash and pad look perfect. Bucket seats, a console, and an AM radio add a touch of luxury, while the driver can monitor proceedings via the Rally gauges and factory tachometer.
While the 1969 Plymouth Barracuda sold in respectable numbers, only 358 buyers chose to order one with a 440ci “Super Commando” V8 under the hood. That makes these rare classics, and this car’s documented history and odometer reading help to lift it above the rest. That begs the question of where the bidding might climb to before the hammer falls. I believe that it will only take two passionate classic enthusiasts for it to threaten six-figure territory, and that isn’t unprecedented territory. Do you think that this is a realistic expectation, or do you have a more modest price in mind?
One of the most under-appreciated hot MoPar hot sleds, and yet one of the hottest with the right combination underneath! Sweet ride and fast besides, definitely one you won’t see at many car shows.
Terrific find, one a lot of folks would have whether they were 5 Point Star fans or not.
Bet it sells for a ton..
Thanks Clarkey. 1st off..Beautiful stunning car. What condition. Surprised that the engineers felt the 8 3/4 rearend couldn’t handle the high rpm shifts from manuals. Was there no way to beef up the diff and axles back there?
But this little red rocket will absolutely fly as equipped w the 440/Torq-flite combo. 3.55 gears ⚙️ are plenty with all that motor.
The rear axle choice was consistent with Chrysler engineering department’s thinking across the entire line where this engine was an option. High performance B-bodies were subject to the same requirements. A GTX or a Coronet or Charger R/T with this engine got an 8 3/4″ rear axle with a Torqueflite automatic unless the car was ordered with one of the optional Track Paks, but if the car was to get an A833 four speed, a Track Pak, which included the Dana 60 rear axle, was mandatory. For a few hundred special order cars, not all of which would be four speeds, it was no doubt easier and cheaper to limit this application to “automatic only” than it would have been to get a handful of axles from Dana in the correct A-body width.
Good info. Thank you Phil👍🤝
Whoa mama. Okay, 1969, it was a heck of a Bar Mitzvah, and that grass cutting money all those years burning a hole in your pocket upon graduation, consider the choices. All these ultra whopper cars seemed to hover around $4grand, what would you buy? In ’69, there is no question in anyone’s mind that was “there”, the 440 Chrysler Whatnot, was the hottest stick. RR, GTX, Dart, Cuda, Challenger, these motors put out incredible HP, well over 400 HP, and with stock times of 0-60 in 5.7, and the 1/4 in 14 flat at 105, junior was king of the block. The parents weren’t too happy( think Javelin commercial), but little brother or sister was. Again, traction and some mods, low 13s easy. The 1970 454 Chevelle put a dent in that some, but in 1969, Chrysler was the king of power. A marketing ploy they still use today. Awesome car.
King of power is right I work at a Jeep dealership and I own a 2018 Dodge power wagon with the 392 engine. That’s all I have to say about that! I also own a 1971Chevelle 350/4 speed.
1 ended yesterday on BAT high bid was 88k and it was a 7k original mile car but in green w/ 440. worth more than that high bid. this 1 is at 40. not a sellers’ market right now
At least the seller has a reserve. Now is not a very good time to run an expensive car like this through an auction without one. Sellers would be wise to protect their interests.
Steve R
One mans loss is another mans gain. Low prices are not all bad, at least not for buyers. Capitalism is supposed to work this way. Very efficient. Time for a price correction, all markets do this.
I can see a young couple at their Plymouth dealer in 69 and the husband says this one looks nice honey and the wife says it sure looks sporty but it is an automatic and there is enough room in the back seat for the kids. Then the first time she has to muscle it around the A&P parking lot without power steering or brakes and it jumps every time she touches the gas she wonders how many more payments do we have on this thing.
PS was badly needed on the big block cars, small blocks is where I preferred manual steering as Chrysler had the most horrible road feel with PS. I never got used to it.
Currently bid to $65K! I would love to have this in my garage…too rich for MY blood…
Lets see: 90 mile return trip from Mansfield Ohio to Summit Raceway, 10 passes per day (1 mile including shut down area and return road), 2 days per weekend x25 weekends per year = 5000 miles per year x 5 years = 25,000 miles. I think that’s a good explanation for why this car was ordered the way it was.
Thank you for bringing this up, you are right, when most people try and dissect mileage for a car that was raced almost always don’t factor in the shut diwn area and return road. At many tracks, 1 mile a run is conservative.
Steve R
Allowing that car 1/4 mile for the shutdown area might be conservative given the manual brakes.
Just keep in mind back then you could crawl under the dash and disconnect the speedometer cable. I know I did it to my pops 70 AAR 4spd all the time.
As beautiful and rare as this Cuda is, and this is my favorite gen. of these cars, I’d much rather have a nice 340ci in it. The 383ci and especially the 440ci were incredible straight line performers and powerful beasts, but I think in these smaller A body platforms the 340ci was the perfect all around fit for HP and handling.
Yep….but then the difference in a Coupe and a Fastback…..then factory in the color….
Tend to agree with two of my 1969’s running that little 340….
My favorite still runners is a 69 Barracuda..notchback, 340, 4sp.
A beauty. Now someone please participate in my Mopar education. I understand no power brakes there’s absolutely no room for the booster but no power steering. Was the steering pump so big or just no room for the hoses ?
Hi Robert, anything that came off the crank pulley was considered a loss of HP, and besides, these didn’t do a lot of turning anyway.
Tend to agree with two of my 1969’s running that little 340….
Yes the good old days,it was 1983 just getting out of high school and bought my first car, a hot-rod Plymouth! M-code Cuda fastback. $850 bucks and drove it home,now wishing it was sitting in my garage today! It was a very fast and fun car!
Car failed to reach reserve at $112,500 and the asking price is now $149,995.
TikTokTikTok what will be the winning bid for this under appreciated monster Mopar? I’m guessing more than one might expect.