The Plymouth Barracuda, to be honest, didn�t properly compete with the Ford Mustang until 1970 when the E-body platform was introduced. Before then, the Barracuda was a nice, sporty compact car that failed to seize on the charms gleaned...
The Plymouth Barracuda, to be honest, didn�t properly compete with the Ford Mustang until 1970 when the E-body platform was introduced. Before then, the Barracuda was a nice, sporty compact car that failed to seize on the charms gleaned from the Mustang. Our Pick of the Day, a 1970 Plymouth �Cuda, shows how Plymouth caught up and made its presence known with a vengeance. It�s for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Omaha. (Click the link to view the listing)
The Barracuda was introduced on April 1,, 1964, several weeks before the Mustang, but there�s a reason why we call them pony cars: the Mustang was a marketing tour de force, while the Barracuda was simply a fastback version of the Valiant. The Barracuda�s 1967 redesign sought to make the Barracuda compete toe-to-toe with the Mustang, complete with a fastback, coupe, and convertible. However, the proportions that made pony cars what they were, especially the long hood/short deck design, were not exploited by Plymouth. That would change after 1969.
The 1970 Barracuda was available as three models: base hardtop, performance-oriented �Cuda, and luxurious Gran Coupe. All three were available as hardtops and convertibles, plus the base car was available as a decontented coupe that lacked rear roll-down windows. Following the �Fuselage� design theme that started with Chrysler Corporation�s full-size vehicles, the Barracuda seemed like Plymouth took a glance at the 1967 Camaro and ran with it, exaggerating some proportions to make it its own. And, like other pony cars, Plymouth created an option list a mile long, giving consumers the opportunity to tailor-make a unique Barracuda.
Due to the use of the front subframe from the mid-size B-body, the new E-body Barracuda was able to handle every engine in Chrysler�s lineup, from the �Slant Six� to the 426 Hemi and 440. The non-performance models were available with all engines up to a 383, but the �Cuda started there and continued with the 340, 440 four-barrel, 440 six-barrel, and Hemi. Midyear, a Trans-Am version of the �Cuda called the AAR�Cuda was introduced, adding six-barrel carburetion to the 340.
This 1970 �Cuda �is a fine example of Plymouth�s inaugural E-body. For one thing, it�s painted in �FC7� In Violet, a popular color better known as Plum Crazy over at Dodge. It�s powered by the 440 Super Commando (�U-code�) which was rated at 375 horsepower and was shared with Rapid Transit System stablemate, the GTX. What�s interesting about this engine is that it is rarer than the 390-horse 440 six-barrel. Another bit of trivia is that the 440 four-barrel was the highest-horsepower engine to be available with air conditioning, which this car has. Other features include 727 automatic transmission, white interior with black components, Rallye instrument cluster, three-speed wipers, and Light Package (fender-mounted turn signals, lights for the trunk, glove box, ashtray, and ignition switch time delay). Interestingly, this �Cuda was originally equipped with a white vinyl top and matching side protection molding, but they were left off during the rotisserie restoration; �Hockey Stick� stripes have been added in the molding�s place.
�Car is laser straight! Paint is in perfect condition with no chips or blemishes. Chrome and trim are all near perfect!� says the seller. For $129,000, it better be, right? �
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
