1971 Plymouth Barracuda 'Cuda 340 from North America

Summary:

Piece of junk that was a great investment

Faults:

This was a 71 Cuda Convertible. Convertible top lines and fittings constantly broke and leaked. I replaced with copper lines.

The car needed restoration when I got it. Front end bushings and ball joints shot by 70K miles, as most of these were by that mileage.

Mechanically, the car was pretty bulletproof.

Doors sagged. Window cranks stiff and noisy.

Windows rattled and leaked.

Frame/Unibody flexed a lot over typical city road bumps and dips.

Everything inside the interior felt loose and cheaply made, like it was going to crack and fall apart.

General Comments:

This was a 71 Cuda 340 Convertible, AT, 3.55 gear, factory air, no rust, mechanically restored, desert car.

I traded a 69 SS 396 Four Speed Chevelle for this car. The Chevelle was superior in every respect to this E-Body junker Cuda, except for rarity and investment value.

Everyone knows the old Mopar drivetrains are pretty strong, powerful, and hold up well. This car ran as good as any 340 did back then.

The body and chassis was junk. Flexy, rattly, and just plain terrible riding, and noisy as hell.

The rear valence panel exhausts direct the spent gas up and toward the middle of the rear, so exhaust fumes and stink somehow get sucked into the car, even with the top up.

Chassis rigidity and ride quality was inferior most any other muscle car of the day that I can think of.

It was, and is, a great looking, cool car. If you are the type that likes attention, distractions, and annoyances everywhere you go, this car will get it for you.

Every time I drove it, it seems it attracted all the freaks, losers, and leftover burnt out LSD hippie freak types from the 60's.

Cars would hit the brakes in front and speed up from behind just to see it, then roll down the windows and shout, "Hey dude, you wanna sell that". What a PITA.

If you want to preserve a rare and important piece of American muscle car history, then this is for you.

However, if you appreciate quality and a finely engineered driving and handling experience, you will be sorely disapointed by a convertible.

I had a 65 Comet Cyclone, 289 four speed, that was way more solid than this heap.

But hey, it looks cool, so buy one now for $75,000 and enjoy the comments as you drive in misery in this leaky, flexy, stinky, noisy rattle trap.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th May, 2007

1st Jun 2007, 11:27

This review sounds like a load. Either the "reviewer" never actually owned this car, or was never the type of person who should have owned a muscle car in the first place.

As he points out, this was a machine preserved from 1971. You can't compare the ride to a new BMW. If he owned it at all, which I doubt, I hope that he sold it to someone who appreciates the car more than he did.

1971 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda 340 from North America

Summary:

Hot wheels

Faults:

In the year I drove this car very little went wrong that wasn't due to my own tinkering and experimentation. A few loose electrical connections and new front disc calipers, that was about it.

The main problem was rust. Quarter panels, fenders, roof seams and the trunk and floor pans got it bad. Grinding it all out was a daunting task.

General Comments:

There was probably a list of sensible cars for kids just out of high school, and the 340 Cuda was not on it. Big, loud and quick, it was everything a young man could want, but probably not what he should have driven. I loved it.

Straight line acceleration was its strong suit with enough engine and tire noise to turn every head. Handling was above average, braking good, the stark cockpit was actually rather comfortable. This car could turn a late night run to the store into an adventure.

The 4-barrel 340 was rather thirsty and delivered 12 mpg, barely a notch above abysmal, but for a kid with hot wheels this didn't seem to matter much.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th February, 2006

22nd Sep 2006, 13:52

Got my '71 Barracuda convertible new in its model year. Equipped with a 318 V-8 it was, of course, not a muscle car, but certainly packed enough punch for any highway driving. Engine and transmission were overhauled at 252,000 miles and the car has had several interior and exterior re-dos. It presently looks and drives much as it did 35 years ago and the beautiful, clean design lines turn heads whenever it's on the road. Hats-off to the engineering and design team!

1970 Plymouth Barracuda 340 from North America

Summary:

One of America's true classic cars

Faults:

Replaced ball joints at 91,000 miles.

Starter solenoid bad at 84000 miles, normal for older Chrysler.

General Comments:

One fast car. Convertible top provided much air noise when cruising.

Front ends of Cudas and Challengers are rust traps. Keep them clean, and reduce much trouble later on.

Front ends of these cars need help, and wear out with hard driving, which is what these cars are made for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th December, 2005

1970 Plymouth Barracuda AAR 340 6 Barrel from North America

Summary:

A fast car for its time

Faults:

This car was very reliable. I never had problems with the 3-2BBL Holley carbs in terms of synchronization, etc.

General Comments:

A fast car for its time. Few cars came close to its performance until the late 90s, but technology has surpassed the engine output, handling, brakes, and comfort. But I still get nostalgic whenever I see another Cuda or muscle-car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th July, 2004

14th Apr 2006, 21:20

I suggest that you check your pulse immediately. If you aren't excited by a 340 6-pak, then you might be dead.

15th Apr 2006, 05:19

In 1981 found a original white, black stripe 340 AAR with a good running motor, excellent body, but a bad trans for only $500! And I won't even go into other musclecars that I owned in those pre boomer days and didn't realize...

19th Jan 2010, 10:53

It's OK man, everyone has to let things go that in retrospect they would keep. Hindsight is a pain in the a@!

1970 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda 340 Six Pack from North America

Summary:

A sweet, rare muscle machine!!

Faults:

Pushrod wore through the stamped steel rockers. Easy fix.

It is in the body shop getting restored.

General Comments:

It is not the quickest Mopar I've owned, but it will be the nicest when I am finished.

It has a 340 with 3-2 barrels and automatic with 3.91 gears in the rear.

It's Mopar or no car!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd June, 2002