1971 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda review from North America
"Hot wheels"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
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.
Recommended reviews
| Piece of junk that was a great investment |
|
| Knee-shaking performance and trouble-free design |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 1971 |
| Year of manufacture | 1971 |
| First year of ownership | 1980 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1981 |
| Engine and transmission | 340 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 59000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 69000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Torino |
| Date of Entry | 25th February, 2006 |