"The svelte fastback style had its day ... the restyled (Barracuda) is mean and lean this year, with the protrusions, where they should be." Motorcade Magazine, November 1969
The Plymouth Barracuda is a two-door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964 to 1974.
The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964 to 1966.
The second-generation 1967 to 1969 Barracuda, though still Valiant-based, was heavily redesigned. Second-generation A-body cars were available in fastback,notchback, and convertible versions.
The 1970 to 1974 E-body Barracuda, no longer Valiant-based, was available as a coupe and a convertible, both of which were very different from the previous models. The final model year for the Barracuda was 1974.
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| 1970 Barracuda Black-Left View |
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| 1970 Barracuda Silver-Left View |
The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was an instant classic. The project was muscular with long hood and short rear deck. The new Barracuda was bigger and wider than the previous model and best of all it could contain all the big block engines in the inventory of Plymouth. The 440ci big block Hemi and could easily fit between the fender wells.
The choices were plentiful engine with no less than eleven plants offered. Everything from a humble 125-horsepower 198-cubic-inch slant six to the powerful monster 426 cubic inch Hemi with 425 horsepower. The Plymouths pony car buyer had many engine options in 1970.
There were basically four models offered in 1970: the base Barracuda, Gran Coupe, the Cuda and the AAR Cuda. The Barracuda was aimed at the base of budget conscious customer. Gran Coupe was the deluxe model, with several upgrades, including special molding and wheel lips on the outside. The interior upgrades include leather bucket seats and a console with a molded headliner.
Performance wise the big block Cudas have been dominating the track. The Hemi could push the pony car down the lane ¼ mile in the low 13 seconds. A fault with the heavy engine weight was large blocks. All that weight on the front end seriously hampered the movement of the car. These large blocks were never designed for the slalom course.
For those looking for straight-line performance and rapid ability to survive a turn or two to AAR Cuda was the obvious choice. The AAR or All American Racers was designed for the Trans-Am circuit. The retail version of the AAR came with a 340ci small block engine compared to the "six pack" system carburetor. The exhaust system was unique to the AAR Cuda. He left the car in front of the rear wheels and it looked like the exhaust pipes in real race car AAR. Performance both in the ¼ mile and slalom were very acceptable.
This was the pinnacle year for the muscle car can. The performance cars available from all manufacturers were plentiful and some would say the muscle car had reached its limits based on technology available at the time. The Cuda was defiantly the right kind of car just came a little too late. If this car had appeared in 1968, a seller would have been much better.
This was the pinnacle year for the muscle car can. The performance cars available from all manufacturers were plentiful and some would say the muscle car had reached its limits based on technology available at the time. The Cuda was defiantly the right kind of car just came a little too late. If this car had appeared in 1968, a seller would have been much better.
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| 1970 Barracuda Orange-Front Right View |
