The Plymouth Barracuda, to be sincere, didn’t correctly compete with the Ford Mustang till 1970 when the E-body platform was launched. Earlier than then, the Barracuda was a pleasant, sporty compact automobile that did not seize on the charms gleaned from the Mustang. Our Decide of the Day, a 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, exhibits how Plymouth caught up and made its presence recognized with a vengeance. It’s on the market on ClassicCars.com by a non-public vendor in Omaha. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

The Barracuda was launched on April 1,^, 1964, a number of weeks earlier than the Mustang, however there’s a purpose why we name them pony automobiles: the Mustang was a advertising tour de drive, whereas the Barracuda was merely a fastback model of the Valiant. The Barracuda’s 1967 redesign sought to make the Barracuda compete toe-to-toe with the Mustang, full with a fastback, coupe, and convertible. Nonetheless, the proportions that made pony automobiles what they had been, particularly the lengthy hood/brief deck design, weren’t exploited by Plymouth. That might change after 1969.

The 1970 Barracuda was accessible as three fashions: base hardtop, performance-oriented ‘Cuda, and opulent Gran Coupe. All three had been accessible as hardtops and convertibles, plus the bottom automobile was accessible as a decontented coupe that lacked rear roll-down home windows. Following the “Fuselage” design theme that began with Chrysler Company’s full-size autos, the Barracuda appeared like Plymouth took a look on the 1967 Camaro and ran with it, exaggerating some proportions to make it its personal. And, like different pony automobiles, Plymouth created an possibility listing a mile lengthy, giving customers the chance to tailor-make a singular Barracuda.

On account of using the entrance subframe from the mid-size B-body, the brand new E-body Barracuda was capable of deal with each engine in Chrysler’s lineup, from the “Slant Six” to the 426 Hemi and 440. The non-performance fashions had been accessible with all engines as much as a 383, however the ‘Cuda began there and continued with the 340, 440 four-barrel, 440 six-barrel, and Hemi. Midyear, a Trans-Am model of the ‘Cuda referred to as the AAR’Cuda was launched, including six-barrel carburetion to the 340.

This 1970 ‘Cuda  is a superb instance of Plymouth’s inaugural E-body. For one factor, it’s painted in “FC7” In Violet, a well-liked coloration higher referred to as Plum Loopy over at Dodge. It’s powered by the 440 Tremendous Commando (“U-code”) which was rated at 375 horsepower and was shared with Speedy Transit System stablemate, the GTX. What’s fascinating about this engine is that it’s rarer than the 390-horse 440 six-barrel. One other little bit of trivia is that the 440 four-barrel was the highest-horsepower engine to be accessible with air con, which this automobile has. Different options embody 727 computerized transmission, white inside with black parts, Rallye instrument cluster, three-speed wipers, and Mild Bundle (fender-mounted flip alerts, lights for the trunk, glove field, ashtray, and ignition change time delay). Curiously, this ‘Cuda was initially geared up with a white vinyl high and matching aspect safety molding, however they had been left off in the course of the rotisserie restoration; “Hockey Stick” stripes have been added within the molding’s place.

“Automotive is laser straight! Paint is in excellent situation with no chips or blemishes. Chrome and trim are all close to excellent!” says the vendor. For $129,000, it higher be, proper?  

To view this itemizing on ClassicCars.com, see Decide of the Day.