whats the difference between a Plymouth Barracuda and a...
Discussion
I'm prepared to be corrected by all the Mopar afficianados out there, but here's what I know...
The Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Challenger were Chrysler's "E-body" muscle cars introduced in 1970. They look very similar in profile and shared engine options, but the Barracuda is actually a shorter wheelbase than the Challenger and there are different treatments to the front grille, rear end, and interiors. The "Hemi" refers to the hemispherical combustion chambers on the legendary 426ci engine of that name. This was the most powerful engine option (425hp supposedly, without accounting for ancillary losses) for both Barracuda and Challenger in 1970 and 1971, after which it was dropped. I think I'm right in saying that at some point, Plymouth decided to differentiate between the regular and the performance versions within the range by calling the former "Barracuda" and the latter just "Cuda". So when people talk about a Hemi Cuda, they mean a 'Cuda fitted with the Hemi engine.
Relatively few Hemi 'Cudas and Challengers were built at the time, so original matching-number cars are worth a fortune nowadays ($200,000+ for a genuine Hemi Cuda?), but of course many cars have been retro-fitted with the engine. Even rarer are Hemi Challenger Convertibles - I believe only about 11 were ever built! Ironically, the Hemi is apparently not the most easy engine to live with on the street (having been developed for racing), and the more popular (and cheaper) 440ci engine would have been a more practical choice back in the day. But still, the Hemi engine has become the stuff of myth and legend, partly due to it's subsequent association with drag racing, and genuine Hemi 'Cudas are now among the most sought-after and valuable muscle cars.
Hope that helps, but I'm happy to be proved wrong on any of the above 'cos I'm no expert!
The Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Challenger were Chrysler's "E-body" muscle cars introduced in 1970. They look very similar in profile and shared engine options, but the Barracuda is actually a shorter wheelbase than the Challenger and there are different treatments to the front grille, rear end, and interiors. The "Hemi" refers to the hemispherical combustion chambers on the legendary 426ci engine of that name. This was the most powerful engine option (425hp supposedly, without accounting for ancillary losses) for both Barracuda and Challenger in 1970 and 1971, after which it was dropped. I think I'm right in saying that at some point, Plymouth decided to differentiate between the regular and the performance versions within the range by calling the former "Barracuda" and the latter just "Cuda". So when people talk about a Hemi Cuda, they mean a 'Cuda fitted with the Hemi engine.
Relatively few Hemi 'Cudas and Challengers were built at the time, so original matching-number cars are worth a fortune nowadays ($200,000+ for a genuine Hemi Cuda?), but of course many cars have been retro-fitted with the engine. Even rarer are Hemi Challenger Convertibles - I believe only about 11 were ever built! Ironically, the Hemi is apparently not the most easy engine to live with on the street (having been developed for racing), and the more popular (and cheaper) 440ci engine would have been a more practical choice back in the day. But still, the Hemi engine has become the stuff of myth and legend, partly due to it's subsequent association with drag racing, and genuine Hemi 'Cudas are now among the most sought-after and valuable muscle cars.
Hope that helps, but I'm happy to be proved wrong on any of the above 'cos I'm no expert!
Just checked the official production figures: only 843 Hemi Cudas and 457 Hemi Challengers built between 1970 and 1971, which makes them a pretty rare beast. Not sure how many survive today. Anybody know of any in the UK? I've seen a few Challengers and Cudas at meets and at Santa Pod and Shakey, but never a genuine Hemi. Sure I've seen a photo of one in the UK though. Anyone?
Black-C5 said:
Just checked the official production figures: only 843 Hemi Cudas and 457 Hemi Challengers built between 1970 and 1971, which makes them a pretty rare beast. Not sure how many survive today. Anybody know of any in the UK? I've seen a few Challengers and Cudas at meets and at Santa Pod and Shakey, but never a genuine Hemi. Sure I've seen a photo of one in the UK though. Anyone?
i know of one heni cuda in black with the factory drag pack been stored for 20 somthing yearsstick100 said:
i know of one heni cuda in black with the factory drag pack been stored for 20 somthing years
Why stored ? I always preferred the Cuda over the Challenger, there was a Challenger for sale in Bournmouth in the AutoTrader for £4500 back in the late '80's. If it had been a Cuda I would have bought it and almost certainly would still have it now.Total loss said:
Why stored ? I always preferred the Cuda over the Challenger, there was a Challenger for sale in Bournmouth in the AutoTrader for £4500 back in the late '80's. If it had been a Cuda I would have bought it and almost certainly would still have it now.
me to i like the cuda more it has much better linesstick100 said:
M5 Russ said:
I would love to own a 'normal' Cuda some day. I can't remember the last time I saw one for sale so I have no idea what they go for now but I suspect £20k plus !
a matching numbers car you could double that a hemi you would be paying 80,000 plusYesterday I accompanied my mate to collect a numbers matching rust free 1970 440 6 Pak 4 speed Cuda he had just bought from deepest Somerset. It had been sat in a garage partially dismantled/restored (owner was a perfectionist) for the past 8 years.
So it shows that even in the UK you can still find dream cars.
TiMopar said:
That was the only known 'built for export' 1970 Hemi Cuda convertible. Returned to the USA in the late 80's and currently owned by Mr. Jackson of 'Barratt-Jackson' auction house.
I had a chance of buying that car in the early 80s, but having just paid £2000 for a Challenger with a smallblock, I thought the £10+ was a bit steep at the time! I heard it sold for around $1/2million, I thought it was early 90s, in need of restoration. But then there were only 9 71 Hemi Cuda convertibles ever built from the factory, there are a lot more than that around now though!
Gassing Station | Yank Motors | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff