1970 Plymouth Barracuda 'Cuda

.

 

440 c.i. Six Barrel with "Shaker" hood, 390 h.p.

In early 1970, during the time Karen and I were working on “Close To You”, I visited Lakewood Center Chrysler/Plymouth and special-ordered this car. I wanted the high-performance ‘Cuda, but with the luxury Barracuda “Gran Coupe” interior which consisted of a felt-like headliner, an overhead console with three warning lights and an alternate seat cover design with the front buckets finished in leather with vinyl trim, and the salesman stated, correctly, that it could be done. I also ordered power windows, AM/FM 5 speaker stereo, light package, "Elastomeric" front bumper, 440 Six-Barrel and Shaker hood, Rallye instrument cluster, and a number of other fairly rare Barracuda options. As this car was going to be paid for in payments, and my folks were going to co-sign for me, I didn’t want to push my luck and order the pricey 426 Hemi. (I really, really did … but I didn’t.) This engine was close to a thousand dollars extra and almost a quarter of the price of the car. I knew I was fortunate to be allowed to order the car at all, as we barely could afford it, so, no Hemi.

We took delivery of the ‘Cuda on April 10th, “Close To You” was released on May 15th, and we all know the rest. This car only has 40,000 miles on the odometer, most having been accumulated by my dad! As the 'Cuda has been babied since new, it, of course, has never been restored, just "freshened" as needed from time to time. The engine and engine compartment, for example, were detailed in 1982. These ‘Cudas are beautiful, powerful cars and have become highly prized by collectors today. But this car is even more special to me due to its sentimental value.

Return to Index

 
Last Updated June 4, 2008
May 2004  © Richard Carpenter

Hit Counter

WebDesign by the Webutante