Plymouth Barracuda
1970 Plymouth Barracuda
Manufacturer	Plymouth
Parent company	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1964–1974
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Class	Muscle car
Body style(s)	2-door coupe
Layout	FR layout

The Plymouth Barracuda, or 'Cuda (after 1970), is a two-door coupe/convertible muscle car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964 through 1974.

1964-1966

First generation
1966 Plymouth Barracuda
Production	1964–1966
Platform	A-body
Engine(s)	2.8L 101 hp I6 3.7L 145 hp I6 4.5L 180 hp V8 4.5L 235 hp V8
Wheelbase	106 in
Length	188.2 in
Height	70.1 in
Related	Dodge Dart Plymouth Valiant

The original Plymouth Barracuda was built on Chrysler's A-body chassis, which was also common to several other vehicles manufactured by Chrysler, including the Dodge Dart. The 1964 model was offered as a model in the Valiant line and carried Valiant insignia. The Barracuda was one of the first pony cars, which were designed to appeal to the youth market. It preceded the Ford Mustang (which in turn was based on the Ford Falcon) to market by two weeks. Plymouth's executives initially wanted to call the car the 'Panda' but the designers complained and John Samsen's idea of 'Barracuda' was chosen.

The first generation Barracuda's distinctive feature was its enormous fastback wrap-around rear window, the largest piece of automotive glass ever installed at that time (14.4 square feet). Powertrains were identical to the Valiant's, including two versions of Chrysler's legendary inline "slant 6" — a 170 in³ (2.8 L), 101 hp (75 kW) version and an optional 225 in³ (3.7 L), 145 hp (108 kW) version offered. A two-barrel carbureted 180 hp (134 kW) 273 in³ (4.5 L) V8 was the top engine option for 1964, so performance at first was modest. The 170 in³ six was later eliminated leaving the 225 in³ 145 hp version as the smallest engine option. The Barracuda sold for a base price of US$2,512, and unlike any other year, all 1964 Barracudas with automatic transmissions had push button shifters on their dashboards.

The 1965 model year saw the introduction of two important options; the 273 in³ (4.5 L) Commando, a 235 hp (175 kW) four-barrel carbureted V8, and the Formula 'S' package, a performance package that included the Commando V8, upgraded suspension, wheels, and tires, and a standard tachometer.

In 1966 the Barracuda would receive a new taillight design and a facelift, making it easily distinguishable from the 1964 and 1965 versions. As a move to further the car's image from that of the Valiant, the blue and red "V" shaped Valiant emblem below the rear glass on the center of the vehicle was replaced mid-year by a Barracuda fish emblem. The 1966 model had updated sheetmetal, which gave a more chiseled contour to the fenders, and also featured fender-top turn signal indicators in the shape of shark fins. Also new were full-sized bumpers and a unique "cheese-grater" grill, which slanted forward aggressively and featured a distinct grid pattern. Other changes for 1966 included a redesigned gauge cluster and optional center console.

The Barracuda would influence other designs in Chrysler's stable. Across the Atlantic Ocean, Chrysler's United Kingdom company, the former Rootes, developed the Hillman Hunter-based Sunbeam Rapier Fastback coupé for 1967, which bore distinct similarities to the profile of the 1964–66 Barracuda, although the designer of the Rapier, Roy Axe, denied any direct connection.

1967-1969

Second generation
1967 Plymouth Barracuda convertible (1968 fenders and 1969 striping)
Production	1967–1969
Platform	A-body
Engine(s)	4.5L 235 hp V8 6.3L V8 7.2L V8
Related	Dodge Dart Plymouth Valiant

In 1967 the Barracuda remained an A-body car, but was fully redesigned. To complement the fastback model, the vehicle now offered notchback and convertible options. This second generation Barracuda would last for three years, from 1967 through 1969. An interesting way to visually distinguish all 3 years were the side marker lights: the 1967 Barracuda had no side marker lights at all, the 1968 model had small circular ones and the 1969 model had much larger rectangular markers.

As the pony car class became established and competition increased, Plymouth began to revise the Barracuda's engine options, which came to resemble those of the larger Plymouth Road Runner more than the Valiant's. While the 225 in³ Slant Six was still the base engine, the engine options ranged from the two-barrel carbureted 180 hp (134 kW) 273 in³ (4.5 L) Commando, to a 235 hp (175 kW) four-barrel carbureted V8 and though rare, the optionally available 383 in³ (6.2 L) B engine in 1967. In 1968 the 318 in³ 2bbl engine was the smallest V8 available (replacing the 273 in³ 2bbl engine) and the 340 in³ 4bbl engine and finally the massive 440 in³ (7.2 L) RB single 4-barrel carbureted in 1969 became available straight off of the showroom floor. There was even a limited production of 50 Super-Stock, non-street legal, Hemi-powered Barracudas (and another 50 Dodge Darts) built in 1968 for use in drag racing. A handful of spinoff Savage GT's were also built, from the second generation Barracuda.

1969 was the year that Plymouth finally got serious about performance. They boosted the output of the 383 cid engine to 330 bhp, but also added power steering. Plymouth also introduced a cosmetic package built around the Formula S option, which they called the 'Cuda. The 'Cuda could be had with either the 275 bhp 340 V8 or the 383, but the market demanded even more power.

1970-1974

Third generation
1972 Plymouth Barracuda 340 (Restored and modified, with added 1970 AAR 'cuda stripes).
Also called	Plymouth 'Cuda
Production	1970–1974
Platform	E-body
Engine(s)	198 in³ Slant 6 225 in³ Slant 6 I6 318 in³ LA V8 340 in³ LA V8 360 in³ LA V8 383 in³ B V8 426 in³ Hemi V8 440 in³ RB V8
Related	Dodge Challenger

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Swede Savage (left) and Dan Gurney, 1970

1971 440 'Cuda

As 1970 rolled around, another redesign was in order for the Barracuda. The performance version was badged and advertised as the 'Cuda. It was built on a new, slightly shorter, wider version of Chrysler's existing B platform, the E-body. This new generation eliminated the fastback, but kept the two-door coupe and convertible versions. It also had a Dodge near-twin known as the Challenger; however, no sheet metal interchanged between the two cars ,and the Challenger had a slightly longer wheelbase. Both were aggressively and cleanly styled, although they were clearly influenced by the first-generation Chevrolet Camaro.

The performance version of the new Barracudas was called "'Cuda" and featured five different V8s, the 340, 383, 440, 440+6, and the venerable 426 Hemi. The 440s and the Hemi cars received a special high performance suspension to help transfer the power to the road. After the switch to the E platform, which featured a larger engine bay than the previous A-body, Chrysler's famous 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi would now be available from the factory for the retail market.

Race car drivers Swede Savage and Dan Gurney drove identical factory-sponsored AAR (All American Racers) Cudas in the 1970 Trans-Am Series, although with no success. The AAR Cudas were equipped with the 340 cid "six pack" (three two-barrel carburetors).

With the 440-6 and 426 Hemi, the performance from these production Barracudas became legendary. The 1/4 mile times for these were 13.7 s @ 103 mph and 13.4 s @ 108 mph - both among the fastest times of the day. These engines were very easy to slightly modify and drop into the 12s, but either way - stock or modified - one could virtually have a 5-passenger race car. Barracudas also came with decal sets, hood modifications, and some unusual "high impact" colors such as "Vitamin C", "In-Violet", and "Moulin Rouge".

The Barracuda was changed slightly for 1971, with a new grille and taillights. This would be the only year that the Barracuda would have four headlights, and also the only year of the fender "gills". The 1971 Barracuda engine options would remain the same as that of the 1970 model, except the 4-barrel carbureted 440 engine was not available; all 440-powered Barracudas had a six-barrel carburetor setup instead. The 426 Hemi option would remain, and the Hemi-powered 1971 Barracuda convertible is now considered one of the rarest and most desirable collectible automobiles. Only seven were known to be produced; the six surviving have sold for US$2,000,000 or more each.

In 1970 and 1971, two options were available that are now highly sought-after by collectors. They are the shaker hood and the Spicer Dana 60 rearend. The shaker hood was available on 340ci, 383ci, 440ci and Six-Pack, and 426ci Hemi-equipped 'Cudas. The heavy Dana 60, with a 9 3/4 inch ring gear and considered nearly indestructible, was standard on manual transmission 440 Six-Pack and 426 Hemi equipped 'Cudas, and was optional on those with the automatic transmission. All engines were slightly adjusted to accommodate low lead fuel and in 1971, the compression ratio was dropped from 11.5:1.

After another grille and taillight redesign in 1972, the Barracuda would keep its overall look the same through 1974, with dual headlights and four circular taillights. But like other pony cars of the time, these years showed a major decrease in the Barracuda's power due to stricter emission laws. The largest available engine in 1972 was the 340 4bbl; a 360 was available in 1974. New safety regulations would also force the vehicle to have large front and rear bumper guards in 1973 and 1974. Sales had dropped dramatically after 1970, and Barracuda production ended April 1, 1974, ten years to the day after it had begun.

The Barracuda is today among the most valuable of muscle cars sought by collectors, although the rarity of specific models and option combinations today is largely the result of low buyer interest and production at the time.

Production

Serial Numbers

ex: BH29F9B182317

• B - Car line, Plymouth Barracuda
• S - Special
• 27 - Convertible
• R - 426 Hemi
• 0 - Last digit of model year
• B - Assembly plant code (B-Hamtramck)
• 100001 - Consecutive sequence number

Quantities

1964 Model Year

Total 23,433 *includes Windsor, Ontario, Canada Built Cars

Windsor, Ontario, Canada Built Cars

• slant six 230
• 273 2bbl 670

1965 Model Year

Total 64,596 *Formula S quantity unknown

• V8 - 40,522
• w/ 273 4bbl automatic 4,505
• w/ 273 4bbl 4-speed 4,874
• w/ 273 4bbl total 10,062
• w/ 273 2bbl total 30,460

1966 Model Year

Total 38,029

• V8 - 21,523
• Formula S w/ 273 4bbl Auto 2,346
• Formula S w/ 273 4bbl 4-speed 2,970
• w/ 273 4bbl total 6,295
• w/273 2bbl total 9,192

1967 Model Year

Total 62,534

• Fastback 30,110
• Coupe 28,196
• Convertible 4,228
• Formula S w/ 273 4bbl 5,352
• Formula S w/ 383 4bbl 1,784

1968 Model Year

Total 45,412

• Fastback 22,576
• Coupe 19,997
• Convertible 2,840
• Formula S w/ 340 4bbl 3,917
• Formula S w/ 383 4bbl 1,279

1969 Model Year

Total 31,987

• Fastback 17,788
• Coupe 12,757
• Convertible 1,442
• Formula S w/ 340 4bbl 1,839
• 'Cuda w/340 4bbl ??
• Formula S w/ 383 4bbl 718
• 'Cuda w/383 4bbl 462
• 'Cuda w/440 4bbl 358

1970 Model Year

Total 50,617 *includes 2,724 AAR's

• Hardtop 6 cyl 5,668
• Hardtop 8 cyl 17,819
• Hardtop Gran Coupe 6 cyl 210
• Hardtop Gran Coupe 8 cyl 7,184
• Hardtop 'Cuda 8 cyl 17,242*
• Convertible 6 cyl 223
• Convertible 8 cyl 1,169
• Convertible Gran Coupe 6 cyl 34
• Convertible Gran Coupe 8 cyl 518
• Convertible 'Cuda 8 cyl 550

1970 production of 440 ci "six pack" equipped 'Cuda models was 1,755 hardtops and 29 convertibles. 426 ci Hemi equipped 'Cuda models was 652 hardtops (368 with torqueflight and 284 with four-speed) and 14 convertibles (9 with an automatic and 5 with a four-speed).

Shaker production for the 'Cuda was 719 on the hardtops and 8 on the convertibles. For the Hemi 'Cuda it was 284 on the hardtops with the four-speed, 366 on hardtops with the TorqueFlight, 5 on convertibles with the four-speed and 9 convertibles with the automatic.

Engine Codes

• B - 198 ci 1V 125 hp
• C - 225 ci 1V (1 barrel carburetor) 145 hp
• G - 318 ci 2V 230 hp
• H - 340 ci 4V 277 hp
• J - 340 ci 3X2V 290 hp (AAR)
• L - 383 ci 2V and 4V 290 hp and 330 hp respectively
• N - 383 ci 4v 335 hp
• R - 426 ci 2X4V 425 hp (Hemi)
• V - 440 ci 3X2V 390 hp

1971 Model Year

Total 16,161

• Hardtop 6 cyl 1,555
• Hardtop 8 cyl 6,846
• Hardtop Gran Coupe 6 cyl 0
• Hardtop Gran Coupe 8 cyl 1,298
• Hardtop 'Cuda 8 cyl 5,314
• Convertible 6 cyl 132
• Convertible 8 cyl 721
• Convertible 'Cuda 8 cyl 295

1971 production of the 440 ci 'Cuda "six pack" was 237 hardtops and 17 convertibles. Production of the 426 ci Hemi 'Cuda was only 108 hardtops (48 with TorqueFlight and 60 with four-speed) and 9 convertibles, 7 sold domestically (5 with automatic and 2 with four-speed), and 2 sold and shipped to Europe. All of the 1971 426 ci Hemi 'Cuda convertibles have been accounted for and restored. However until late 2006 one of the 1971 Hemi 'Cuda convertibles was thought to have been scrapped sometime in the late 70's in either the Phoenix area, or somewhere in the state of New Jersey. On August 1, 2006 it was discovered that the "lost Hemi 'Cuda" as it came to be known, had not been scrapped and remained in good working condition, as it does to this day. The "lost Hemi 'Cuda" appeared on the cover of the August 2006 issue of the muscle car magazine, Mopar Action .[1]

Engine Codes

• B - 198 ci 1V 125 hp
• C - 225 ci 1V 145 hp
• G - 318 ci 2V 230 hp
• H - 340 ci 4V 275 hp
• L - 383 ci 2V 275 hp
• N - 383 ci 4V 300 hp
• R - 426 ci 2X4V 425 hp (Hemi)
• V - 440 ci 3X2V 390 hp*

1972 Model Year

Total 16,142

• Hardtop 6 cyl 809
• Hardtop 8 cyl 8,951
• Hardtop 'Cuda 8 cyl 6,382

Engine Codes

• C - 225 ci 1V 110hp
• G - 318 ci 2V 150 hp
• H - 340 ci 4V 240 hp

A total of 490 Barracudas came with the 340 ci engine, and 5,864 'Cuda 340 were built.

1973 Model Year

Total 19,281

• Hardtop 8 cyl 9,976
• Hardtop 'Cuda 8 cyl 9,305

Engine Codes

• G - 318 ci 2V 150 hp
• H - 340 ci 4V 240 hp

1974 Model Year

Total 11,734

• Hardtop 8 cyl 6,745
• Hardtop 'Cuda 8 cyl 4,989

---

Engine Codes

• G - 318 ci 2V 150 hp
• L - 360 ci 4V 245 hp

Return of the 'Cuda?

After the decline of muscle cars and pony cars, only General Motors continued building the large Camaro and Firebird. Most of the market for sports coupes went to sporty compacts such as the Volare Road Runner and subcompacts. Even the Ford Mustang would be made smaller and more luxurious during this time. Chrysler would field Mitsubishi-based coupes including the Eclipse, various K car and Omni variants. Names like Sebring, Challenger, Duster and Daytona would be re-appplied to newer cars, but not the Barracuda nameplate.

By the mid-2000s, the Ford Mustang was the sole surviving pony car. In 2007, Motor Trend magazine reported that the Chrysler Group was considering reviving the Barracuda in 2009 [2] alongside the revived Dodge Challenger to compete with the Mustang and revived Chevrolet Camaro due out around the same time as the Challenger. Because the Plymouth brand was phased out in 2001, the new Barracuda would be branded as a Chrysler. However, an interview with Ralph Gilles, vice-president of Jeep, by Car and Driver reports that a modern reinterpretation of the Barracuda is unlikely.[3]

“I can see it being done as aftermarket, but not something we would do lightly as a production model,” Gilles says, for a number of reasons. One, you don’t mess with history. Second, the hot designer thinks, in many ways, that the Challenger was a better design than the ’Cuda. Third, and probably most important, he wants the new Challenger to have its day in the sun—unfettered.

Popular culture

Film appearances

• In The Wraith, Skank and Gutterboy drove a beat-up 1966 Plymouth Barracuda.
• In Highwaymen (film) Jim Caviezel drives a 1968 Plymouth Hemi Super Stock Barracuda.
• In Phantasm (film), Jody drives a black 1971 Plymouth Barracuda coupe.
• In Phantasm III, Reggie has a black 1970 Plymouth Barracuda convertible.
• In Harry Barrington, the motion picture
• In Gone In 60 Seconds, "Shannon", car number 37, is a red 1971
• In The Road To Redemption Nathan's friend Charlie owned a '71 Barracuda
• In Permanent Record (film 1988), Keanu Reeves drives a tatty 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback.

Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda

• In Gone Fishing (film), Joe Pesci and Danny Glover drive a 1968 Plymoth Barracuda to the Everglades, Florida

TV appearances

• Nash Bridges (1996-2001) : Five Barracudas made from 1970, '71, and yes, a 1973 to look like '71 HemiCuda convertibles http://www.lowtek.com/nash/
• Megas XLR (2004-2005): Red convertible Barracuda was adopted as a head and control center of the giant robot, Megas XLR, by the main character of the series, Coop.
• Brady Bunch (Seasons 1971-1972): A light blue convertible Barracuda was Mike Brady's car for the 1971 and some of the 1972 seasons.
• The Doris Day Show : Doris could be seen driving a maroon colored 1971 convertible Barracuda in some show openings.
• Mannix (Seasons 1970-1972): A Forrest Green convertible Barracuda with a 383 cid engine appears as the primary Mannix driver for the 1970-1972 seasons. The car appears to be the same one through these years, with the grill and tail lights being changed out in order to match the given year model. Although Chrysler never made production of a 1972 convertible, this car was made to look like a 1972 convertible by retrofitting it with a 1972 grill and tail light panel.
• Malcolm in the Middle : In the episode "Malcolm's Car", Malcolm buys a dilapidated '67 Barracuda and spends the rest of the episode attempting to restore it.
• Miami Ink : In the episode Ami James, gets to have his Barracuda on the cover of MOPAR magazine.http://www.dhadm.com/content/miami-ink-amis-barracuda/
• King of the Hill : In the episode with classic cars. Mr. Strikland drives what he calls a green 1969 Barracuda, actually shows an E Body.

Video game appearances

• In Gran Turismo 2, a Plymouth Barracuda can be purchased and driven.
• In Gran Turismo 4, the Plymouth Barracuda returns and can also be purchased.
• In Interstate '76, a black-on-orange Barracuda featured as the car driven by the game's protagonist, Groove Champion. It is called a 'Picard Pirahna' in the game.
• In , a Plymouth Barracuda can be driven and modified.
• A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda will be featured in
• A 1971 Plymouth Barracuda can be purchased in Test Drive 4 on PS1
• A 1971 Plymouth Barracuda can be purchased in Test Drive 5 on PS1
• A 1971 Plymouth Barracuda can be purchased in Test Drive 6 on PS1
• In Test Drive, Donald Black begins the game with either a Toyota Supra or a 1971 Hemi Cuda.
• In Forza Motorsport 2, a 1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S can be purchased.
• In A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda is featured.
• A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda appears in the 2003 game, Hot Rod American Street Drag.
• In IHRA Drag Racing Sportsman Edition, a 1968 Barracuda can be raced.;)

Music appearances

• Cover of '' album of American drone band 'Earth (band)'. It's also featured in Tallahassee video of this album.
• A 1968 Barracuda is mentioned in the 'Rob Zombie' song: Two Lane Blacktop.
• The Baracuda is mentioned at the start of summer fun by the Baracudas

Other

• HPI manufactures an after-market body in the shape of a 1970 Barracuda for its line of Radio-Control Savage monster trucks.

They also produce a 1970 AAR Cuda body for the widely popular 200mm wide r/c chassis offered by them and other companies.

Notes

External links

• The Early Valiant & Barracuda Club (EVBC) - Club for early Barracudas (1964-'66) and Valiants (1960-'66)
• Plymouth Barracuda Resources
• Plymouth AAR 'Cuda Resources
• Plymouth Barracuda
• History and photos of the Plymouth Musclecars
• AAR Cuda - information on the 1970 AAR Barracuda
• Muscle Car Club Barracuda page
• Allpar.com Plymouth Barracuda Page
• Plymouth Barracuda @ Muscle Car Facts — A year-by-year account of Plymouth Barracuda history
• The 1964-1974 Plymouth Barracuda Webring
• Plymouth Cuda Specs, Photos, & VIN Decoder
• The 67-69 BarracudaOwners Webring
• Plymouth Barracuda VIN Decoder
• The worldwide Plymouth Barracuda-Registry.com
• Plymouth Barracuda 1970 project
• Video of Miami Ink's Ami and his Cuda on the cover of MOPAR magazine

•  • [ e] Plymouth ( • DaimlerChrysler)
Historic:
Cars:	Acclaim | Arrow | Barracuda | Belvedere | Breeze | Caravelle | Champ | Colt | Conquest | Cricket | Duster | Fury | Gran Fury | GTX | Horizon | Laser | Neon | Plaza | Prowler | Reliant | Road Runner | Sapporo | Satellite | Savoy | Sundance | TC3 | Turismo | Valiant | VIP | Volar
Vans / SUVs:	Adventurer | Voyager/Grand Voyager | Trailduster
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Concept:
Cars:	Backpack | Belmont | Cabana | Duster I | Explorer | Expresso | Howler | Pronto | Pronto Spyder | Prowler | Slingshot | Speedster | Voyager 3 | XNR 500 | XX 500

Plymouth road car timeline, 1950-1970s, United States market   •  • [ e]
Type	1950s										1960s										1970s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Subcompact																						Cricket							Horizon
																														Horizon TC3
																														Colt
Compact																					Colt
																											Arrow
											Valiant																Volar
Mid-size																Belvedere
																Satellite										Fury
Full-size	Deluxe	Concord			Plaza
		Cambridge			Savoy
	Special Deluxe	Cranbrook			Belvedere																		Gran Fury
							Fury
Sports																					Duster								Sapporo
															Barracuda
																			Road Runner
																		GTX
SUV																										Trailduster
Van																										Voyager