As a long-time fan of E-Bodies, to potentially deem one too far gone to feasibly save makes my heart hurt, but that could be the case for this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda here on Craigslist. My first teen car was a ’71 ‘Cuda, a real one, purchased in 1981 during the good old days when you could score a decent 70s Barracuda or Challenger driver for a grand or less, and if I could have any automobile from my past back again it would for sure be that one. So my affinity is high here, and maybe if this particular car was a more desirable 1970 or ’71 example it might make more sense financially to consider justifying resurrection, but I’m not sure about a 1972 model in this condition. However, I hope somebody with strong DIY capabilities will feel differently and come to the rescue, so if that’s you the initial cost will run $8,500 and you’ll need to head over to York, Pennsylvania for pickup.
There’s no background given about the ‘Cuda other than the car’s been sitting for a really long time, but the photos seem to tell the story that rust and rot are the themes here. At first, I thought there had been a rear-end hit, but now I’m wondering if rust itself caused the trunk to buckle and the taillight panel to cave in. At this point, it probably doesn’t matter, and I think the sagging bumper is an indication of the amount of corrosion present in the passenger side quarter panel.
OK, time for today’s Mopar challenge- who can spot the rare accessory inside this ‘Cuda? It’s not the buckets, console, or even the Slap Stik shifter, those are all common items. But up near the front of the console is a factory cassette deck with a microphone input, so you can go down the road and make recordings as you drive. Not in this particular car, of course, but this is one option that’s fairly elusive and somewhat sought after. Although not in good condition, most of the interior appears to still be present, even the key is still in the ignition, but the carpet’s gone and that floor is well on its way to returning back to the earth.
By 1972, big blocks were gone, and the best you could do in a ‘Cuda was the 340, making a period respectable 240 horsepower. That’s what’s in the bay here, but it looks like years or perhaps decades have passed since this engine made any power at all. The only comment the seller makes about the small block is that it doesn’t run, and no word on whether or not the motor or automatic transmission are the original components.
Some good news is the car didn’t buckle under its own weight when the forklift operator raised the ‘Cuda up far enough for us to view the underside, which is not exactly an attractive sight. Another argument for possible salvation might be that the car is almost complete and hasn’t been pilfered, but it’s many levels beyond my abilities for project consideration even if I had plenty of time to invest. If you’re seeing some hope here, be aware that this one’s been listed for almost a month now, so maybe the seller is ready to hear an offer. What’s a reasonable price to pay for this rusty E-Body?
Whoever takes this one on is going to be underwater in a hurry. Just like the car was….
8500 dollars for what?
The engine is going to need 5000 to get rebuilt. Then what? I an surprised the for lift didn’t fold the car in half.
I bet one peels the seat covers off to rusted thru frame and springs.
This vehicle need put back in the field or stream it was taken from to return to the mud it sat in..
Buy a 40-60,000 nice one and still be 50,000 dollars ahead.
Remove 340 core engine. Remove rather rare never to work again 8 track and a few bits and crush and shred remains. I doubt there is 2k worth of parts on this rust devil. The car is about 200.00 across the scale, but OMG it’s an old Mopar. More Old Parts And Rust!!!
Grave yard cars would pass on this one!
Yeah I agree about the 8500 bux, that’s just ridiculous. I’d say more like 2500 bux and put it in your garage and use it to teach yourself how to do bodywork, upholstery, wiring, welding, fitting, etc, etc, etc… Sorry bud, you have definitely been watching way too much Barrett Jackson!
I seen this Cuda on this site about 2 months ago. I will say it again. Parts car!! This will split apart getting it on the flatbed! The engine and trans needs a complete rebuild! That’s if there no water in the engine and trans then maybe hope! If there is rust on the crank and pistons the death 😘kiss! The seller needs to pay me to take it! 😂 It’s impossible for a normal mined person to think.. Hey I can fix it! 🤦 Good luck to the seller!! 🐻🇺🇸
I should of said maybe hope to rebuild the 340 and trans to put it in another finished project. 🐻🇺🇸 And use the others parts off the Cuda and scrap the rest.
Pull the 340 and east bound and down and get that shredder rollin.300 tops.
No! This car is a Money Pit! For $8,500.00 he or they can keep this car! Virgil
Yabba, dabba, dooo…
This Plymouth might actually be in worse shape than the ’61 Chevy convertible featured earlier.
Uglier than Eleanor Roosevelt
Let It Rust In Pieces
Bought my Pontiac from this dealership some time ago. Nice folks – gave me a Bible with the car.
A reasonable price would be $500. You’d have to give me $500. to haul it away! How did this thing escape from the last row in the junkyard? Unbelievable!
It does have a decent steering wheel and that on the hump cassette player/recorder and a few other tidbits but it looks like it’s beyond being restoration. Just my opinion.
And then there was that Mustang from a week or two ago. Maybe this was the car next to it.
Wow, as Ernie Harwell used to say “it’s longe gone!!”.
Decent air cleaner and glass, though……😜
There are some good parts left on it. The part that amazes me is that they think it’s worth eight thousand dollars. Is this heap of iron oxide even repairable? I know anything can be brought back but why not start with something not so far gone?
There’s mostly doubters that comment on this site. It makes me wonder if most of you have ever actually restored a car. I don’t mean have it painted and put some wheels on it and call it restored. If this car has the tags on it to prove it is an original 340 Cuda It could get sold and restored. I guess I have a different view on it because My son owns a body shop and I have seen cars that he restored from about this condition. Every part you would need to restore it is available. Don’t worry about the asking price, don’t pay that if the seller won’t budge on it. If it sits long enough the price will become more flexible, and if it doesn’t don’t buy it. It’s a 340 Cuda so someone probably will buy it and restore it.
Graveyard carz could probably fix it but it’s just not worth a $100k + restoration. Every part of the body structure is scrap. If it was a real hemi car or 6 pack maybe. Just my opinion.
too bad Dynacorn doesn’t do Chrysler products
Dynacorn doesn’t, but AMD does.
https://www.autometaldirect.com/
George Worman on Graveyard Cars mentions AMD often and says their quality is good. I believe they reproduce just about every panel for this car and that is why I said it is restorable. It wouldn’t be cheap but you could build it like you want it.
From the front It looked like it might be do-able. From the back….yikes!. The market has changed, and someone will probably pay the bucks to get this done. The asking price may seem high, but when compared to the restoration costs it becomes a minor expense. Fender tags and clear titles are must-haves, everything else can be made, repaired or bought. We all treated these as throwaway cars back in the day but they are great looking cars when done
Maybe Dr. Frankenstein could do something with it. Just kidding 😊
Barrett Jackson Syndrome no doubt.
V21 car?