Worth Saving? 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340

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Things were looking up for the Plymouth Barracuda in 1970. With a new E-body platform, sales increased by 50% over the previous Valiant-based model. Just a year later, demand would drop by two-thirds as the “pony car” market had reached saturation. The seller offers a rough ’71 ‘Cuda 340 project that many will say is too far gone, though only 2,000 were built with an automatic transmission. Sitting in a garage in Schertz, Texas, this woeful Mopar is available here on eBay where the current bid is $2,075 with an unmet reserve.

After building 48,867 Barracudas in 1970, Plymouth production dropped to 16,492 units in 1971. The ’71s were the only ones built of that generation with dual rather than single headlights. If 20% of the 2,008 340/Torqueflite coupes were finished in Hemi Orange paint, then maybe only 400 like this one saw the light of day. If it sounds like I’m building a case for someone to save this car, perhaps I am. However, 20 years ago, this Plymouth would probably already been in the crusher.

When it was new, this ‘Cuda was quite the looker, with a black vinyl top and black interior used to accent the larger-than-life paint job. While the seller says this a numbers-matching automobile, that may not apply to what’s left of the engine described as a “71 block 340”. Both it and the transmission will need to be rebuilt or replaced if you choose to resurrect this Mopar.

Rust may be rampant, and the floorboards look to have all but dissolved. There is no fender tag to shoot for complete accuracy. The Plymouth still has front bucket seats but nothing in the rear. A rather large scoop has been grafted onto the hood and the trunk lid may be more corrosion now than metal. The seller would trade this ‘Cuda for a 1968 Dodge Charger, but doesn’t indicate what condition it has to be in.

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Comments

  1. Fahrvergnugen FahrvergnugenMember

    O Brother. Y Bother.

    Like 8
  2. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember
  3. Stan StanMember

    Of all the good writer’s at BF… Dixon by far authors up articles on vehicles in the worst condition.
    Team player Russ. 🤝

    Like 3
  4. 8banger 8bangerMember

    Is this a trick question?

    Like 4
    • J

      I’m confused, is that how much they’re paying for someone to take it.?

      Like 4
  5. Michael

    Lawn art is getting very expensive…

    Like 4
  6. Jeff

    Is he offering this item for a Cali fire Charger burnt beyond repair or a one dollar hot wheel charger even trade?

    Good luck selling a car without a fender tag in the rough.

    The engine might aid another car as transplant.

    Like 2
  7. RICK W

    Ugh! This Baracuda looks like it’s been attacked by a school of Phirrannas ! Ready to be canned. Give me Nash Bridges yellow CUDA to cruise The Streets of San Francisco. Oh sorry that show used Fords. I can’t imagine anyone thinking they could A Ford to fix this ramblin wreck!

    Like 1
    • Bob

      ha ha, the article says it was in a barn in Texas but I suspect that barn was located at the bottom of a river so you may be right about the pirranas.

      Like 1
  8. bulitt3980

    There isn’t enough good parts to call it a parts car.

    Like 5
  9. The Other Chris

    It’s basically a cheap VIN for the unscrupulous.

    Like 3
    • Dirty Sanchez

      Or maybe it’s a rusty project for the ambitious..

      Like 0
  10. Melton Mooney

    There is some value in the parts shown. 340 hardware brings pretty good money; gauges etc.

    Alas, though, the once beautiful ‘cuda is no more. It has ceased to be. It has kicked the bucket, shuffled off it’s mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleedin’ choir invisible!! This is an ex-‘cuda!

    Like 4
  11. George Shoffstall

    Is this the new definition of sentimental value?

    Like 2
  12. oldroddderMember

    “Woeful Mopar” is a gross understatement. There are absolutely zero redeeming qualities with this junkyard dog. (Although I’m sure that before this is all said and done someone is going to say that it should be saved.)

    Like 1
  13. Daleone3

    Nope……BUT somebody will.

    Like 2
  14. Moparman MoparmanMember

    I’m sorry, but (IMO) the amount of money it would take to resurrect this ‘cuda would be better spent on finding/buying a car already done! Nevertheless, GLWTA!! :-)

    Like 2
  15. Karl

    It always gives me such a good feeling of security seeing an engine left wide open for heaven knows what to get inside of it. That plus the overall deplorable condition of every section of this car is a huge NOWAY for me!

    Like 1
  16. Hammer

    I bet on hot quiet summers night ya could hear this thing rusting. At 2000 and reserve not met? Come on man! Peace out!

    Like 3
  17. Oldschoolmuscle

    Move along there is nothing to see here!!!

    Like 2
  18. Jim

    What lake did they pull that out of?

    Like 2
  19. V12MECH

    Unscrupulous cheap vins, hilarious, how many high end muscle cars, exotic postwar eurocars have been saved ( created) not to mention race cars without having a “mystery of history” paperwork story, think about percentage numbers, surprising.

    Like 2
    • oldrodderMember

      True fact, except it says that the fender tag is MIA, so you’re not even getting a usable vin. This thing is honestly worth zero.

      Like 0
  20. JohnPMember

    Tetanus shot included?

    Like 0
  21. George Mattar

    Even GYC would throw this pile into a dumpster. Is this a joke?

    Like 1
    • joe bru

      George: GYC may have bought this!

      Like 0
      • oldrodderMember

        Workman wouldn’t have brought this. He very seldom buys cars for the shop and even then it has to ultra rare, and this junk yard dog ain’t rare.

        Like 0
      • oldrodderMember

        Spell check got me, should be Worman.

        Like 0
  22. Bruce

    If I were rich enough,I’d consider taking this one on to challenge my skills, not to make it a 900+ point trailer queen, but enough to make it a respectable ride.

    Like 0
  23. stanley j kwiecinski

    I think steve mcqueen looked at that wheel mover on the trailer. gotta be worth more than 100k? the car?

    Like 0
  24. stillrunners stillrunnersMember

    Saw this pile the other day…..I’d be another one running away as well.

    Like 0
  25. Jim Benjaminson

    How can people do this to a car?

    Like 1
    • RICK W

      Absolutely Inhuman! FUBARACUDA. 🐟 🦈

      Like 0
  26. Mark

    I think it sat next to the titanic for a while!!

    Like 0
  27. JoeNYWF64

    Hard to believe they didn’t make/no desire for a dynacorn for the smaller Cuda. & the one for the larger Chally has been discontinued.

    Like 0
  28. Nova John

    It’s ready for Dulcich and Freiberger ; )

    Like 0
  29. JohnPMember

    Reminding me of old yeller.

    Like 0

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