Is It Junk? 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340
Some classics reach a point where you look at them and decide their only value is scrap steel. That is how many readers will feel about this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340. However, it does have a few redeeming features making it worthy of a closer look. It retains much of its original steel, and a few parts would be fit for reuse on another project. The seller has listed it with No Reserve, which might allow the winning bidder to get it for a song. It also comes with a clean title, which is probably its greatest attribute. The ‘Cuda is listed here on eBay in Logan, Utah. Bidding has raced to $505 off the back of intense interest, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Marc S for spotting this fascinating classic.
The seller believes the Tor Red paint gracing some of this Plymouth’s panels might be original, but we know little about its history. It is possible that someone commenced a restoration, but it stumbled before progressing too far. It is a “what you see is what you get” proposition. The body ends at the firewall, indicating how sad the car is. The seller was towing it to its current location when the front rails, K-Frame, and other structural steel, tore away from the body. It is all there, but it’s pretty worthless. The floors have been cut out, and there is rust everywhere. The seller compiled a list of the steel required to return the body to a rust-free state, and it tallied up to an eye-watering $11,000. The buyer must factor in labor costs, meaning its restoration wouldn’t be financially viable. The glass is MIA, as is most of the trim.
The situation doesn’t improve when we focus on the ‘Cuda’s interior. It looks like most of the dash is intact, as are the gauges and steering wheel. Otherwise, there is plenty of open air. It is unclear what sort of trim this classic originally featured because the Fender Tag is gone, and there are no Build Sheets. This shot also provides a clear view of the floors…or the lack of them. There are no visible braces, which probably explains why the bodyshell flexed when being moved.
This is what remains of the front structural steel, and a 340ci V8 used to occupy the spot between the shock towers. It is long gone, and the transmission in this shot isn’t included. The 340 would have produced 240hp, allowing the car to post a sub-16-second ¼-mile ET, regardless of which transmission performed the shifting duties. The winning bidder might be able to salvage the front discs and calipers, but considering what it would cost to refurbish them, it wouldn’t be worth the effort.
My instincts tell me this 1972 ‘Cuda 340 is unlikely to see active service again, but it has generated enough interest to score fourteen bids. Time remains on the listing for that figure to climb higher, and I suspect it will. It will be fascinating to read your feedback on a potential sale price and to see if anyone can score a direct hit. So, over to you.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$750
Comments
Maybe someone out there (desperately) needs a hood/doors/roof, or wants to salvage what remains of the original quarters, instead of opting for thinner repro’s?! Whatever the reasons for the bids, good luck to you! :-)
It’s junk………………..next
Parts car But most of the usable parts are already gone
Half off sale going on,title?
With lots of money and time……………………………Never mind!!
Its even an exaggeration to call it Junk.
believe it or not, there looks to be a few grand worth of salvageable parts sitting in that pile. would i go 3/4s of the way across the country for it? NO. but a local trying to built one already or create a clone won’t really get hurt if the bidding doesn’t go to stoopidville. especially with a good vin tag and title. and even better if the last owner can be contacted and the rest of the pieces cleaned out of his wife’s garage lol
Yes.
Put a hitch on the front, use it for a trailer
Surprised it has not been done already! Gotta love the world we live in. Remember everyone that its called AMERICA. Freedom to enjoy life
Of course, it’s junk. Even the seller states it’s “basically junk”. Can’t complain about the price since it’s a no reserve auction.
“commenced a restoration” ??? This thing was someones parts car ; they took what they wanted and junked the carcass
Attach two long poles, and use as a rickshaw in and around Detroit.
Pay someone to take it off your hands.
I would feel embarrassed to even post this pile of scrap metal.LOL
Gets a 1/2 spot on the May “you’ve got to be kidding” list.
I know a guy who can bump that right out
Definitely a ‘cud’s because the barra is gone.
OOOOH I’m with Moparman the doors, roof, rear quarters (maybe a lil rust on the passenger’s side) and a@# end all look to be in good shape.
For a guy restoring a 72 Cuda in need of these body parts, and what 72 Cuda project doesn’t, except this one of course, this seems to be the holy grail of finds….and for $610.
“Is It Junk?”
What a leading question. YES!
I think somebody’s plain-jane 6-cylinder ’72 Barracuda is about to become a 340 ‘Cuda courtesy of a shady VIN swap.
Who Stole the Front End of This Car? Virgil
i have been a body man for over 55years and every time i see a car like this and right now i am doing a 72 Chevelle ss that looks like this only in the back i wonder how many people see they car buy all these parts and doing body work is no big deal these jobs where a big job if you did them back when you could get oem parts the repos fit like do do to say it nice i have whole rear floor wheel houses in after a week of fitting spent all day mon and part of tues to fit lf qt to get gaps but anyone can do it you do not have to no anything to do thesethings its just changeing parts and they sell them all
take a breath there jeffrey…….lol
The very rare “Oh no” body option. Can you imagine what the underside looked like?
I bet it will go for over a grand, maybe more. Yep, I’m the that sent in the tip. Marc S.
$1770!
Used
“Basically junk”
Ended:
May 09, 2023 , 5:00PM
Winning bid:
US $1,770.00
[ 42 bids ]
Shipping:
Free Local Pickup
Located in:
Logan, Utah, United States
Seller:
dd_auto_salvage (42 )
At least there isn’t any rust in the floors — there just aren’t any.
Most honest seller ever: I highly recommend watching the video that he mentions in the ad – totally amusing;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrzxRm7aq1s
He lists the reasons NOT to build this car. He goes through every part on the car, basically saying that they all have to be replaced, and prices the replacement parts.
His yard specializes in Mopars and he said he bought it as a whole car and it split into 2 when transporting it.
Sold $1,770.00 42 bids.
went for $1770.00
Used
“Basically junk”
Ended:
May 09, 2023 , 5:00PM
Winning bid:
US $1,770.00
[ 42 bids ]
Shipping:
Free Local Pickup
Located in:
Logan, Utah, United States
Seller:
dd_auto_salvage (42 )
Tell the winning bidder to go get counciling
Think Mark Worman bought it?
After seeing the Holey Goat GTO put back on the road, I have determined nothing is too far gone. Would I do it? Not a chance! But I’m sure someone with the vision & talent would.