One Owner Project: 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 383 V8
After waiting patiently for more than five years, the Plymouth Barracuda finally got its own platform in 1970. It had previously been based on the Valiant compact, and now the E-body was exclusive to the Barracuda and the new Dodge Challenger. Demand jumped 50% in the first year and then quickly went south as the market dynamics changed in the early 1970s. This 1971 ‘Cuda is a low-production hardtop with a 383 cubic inch V8 and is a one-owner automobile, being sold now from the owner’s estate.
No doubt the folks at Chrysler were scratching their heads in 1971 when both the Barracuda and Challenger each saw sales drop by two-thirds. Both were largely carryovers in ’71 except the Plymouth wore quad headlights for the only time in its 1964 to 1974 run. That year, just 1,168 copies of the ‘Cuda (Barracuda’s performance model) were built as a coupe with a 383 V8 and an automatic transmission.
We don’t know much about this estate sale ‘Cuda. There’s no indication of the car’s mileage or if the engine and/or tranny are original to the car. But it has had single ownership and looks to have been sitting for a long time, perhaps even outside. The huge stripes on the side boldly announce this ‘Cuda as having a big-block motor. We wouldn’t be surprised if the blue paint, matching interior, and vinyl top are factory to the Mopar, with the latter being the best of the three.
Located north of the U.S./Canada border, this Plymouth is in Condor, Alberta, and is being offered by an auction company. Available here on Allen Bolson, the current bid is $49,000 (USD or Canadian?), and no reserve has been set. This Plymouth is going to need a lot of work, including sheet metal repair due to rust and neglect. This rare ‘Cuda deserves a second chance at life – are you the one to take the plunge?
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Comments
No comment.
If there was ever a 1 of one car, this has to be it! A GB2 light blue and white vinyl top paired with a white billboard stripe. But here is the funny part, the fender tag for the stripe (V6R) shows it to be RED! Normally it would show V6W. I can’t imagine a red billboard on this car. Hopefully there is a build sheet under the seat.
Every option that could fit on a tag, plus Cb, 8 track, and Cassette under the dash.
This car has a very feminine vibe about it, but is still a fantastic example thatis worth of a Mark Worman restoration as you will likely never see another like it.
BS23:
Plymouth Barracuda
Special, ‘Cuda
2 Door Hardtop
N1B: 383 300HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1971
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
290216: Sequence number
E65: 383 cid 4 barrel V8 300hp
D32: Heavy Duty Automatic Transmission
GB2: Light Blue Metallic (Dodge), Glacial Blue Metallic (Plymouth, Chrysler & Imperial) Exterior Color
H6B5: Trim – High, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Blue
000: Full Door Panels
209: Build Date: February 09
B49017: Order number
V1W: Full Vinyl Top, White
C: Canada Specifications
A01: Light Package
AO4: Unknown
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C55: Bucket Seats
G33: LH Remote Racing Mirror
H31: Rear Window Defogger
J25: 3 Speed Wipers
J45: Hood Tie Down Pins
J54: Sport Hood
L25: Trunk Lamp
L91: Unknown
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M25: Wide sill moldings
M31: Belt Moldings
N88: Auto Speed Control
N41: Dual Exhaust
N42: Chrome Exhaust Tips
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
R31: Rear Seat Speaker(s)
V6R: Longitudinal Stripes, Red
EN2: End of Sales Codes
Thanks for taking the time to breakdown the data plate and explaining what’s helping to drive the interest in the cars.
Steve R
That V6R has to be an error on the part of whomever created the fender tag. It’s been fifty-four years since I’ve looked at a 1971 Plymouth data book, but I don’t recall a red “billboard” stripe being available from the factory, just as there was no red “hockey stick” from the factory in ’70, although the aftermarket did offer red hockey sticks, so you do see one of those every now and then. That a red billboard would have looked absolutely terrible on that light blue and white ‘Cuda, were it even possible, also points to that being a typo in my opinion.
Looks more like V6W to me. That wad of stuff above it is obscuring the top of the W, and there is a spot of dark stuff on the right lower side of the W.
If you compare the bottom right corner of that letter to the W in V1W on the fourth line, versus the R in R11 on the first line, it does not have the angle down and to the right that the R has.
Right click on the photo (before expanding it), choose “Open image in new tab”, and then blow it up really big, and it is definitely a W.
I agree on the V6W. There is an R and a W elsewhere on the tag, and if you compare to the last letter of V6W, you can see that it’s closer in shape to the W.
I would agree that it could be a W, which would make a lot more sense. Regardless, there can’t be many of this combination.
Plus I mistakenly decoded the AO4 should be A04, which is Basic Radio Group.
I wonder if Brian Lougheed was one of those “I’m gonna fix it someday, not for sale” types?
490000? Wow! For what! I know for sure I can find a better car for 490000!
That seat tho ‘ LOL
Sad that a one owner car would be allowed to deteriorate to it’s current state…neat car, GLWTA!
After a complete restoration you’ll be lucky to break even on this one.