1974 Plymouth 'Cuda 360 Hardtop

By 1972 it was clear that the muscle car party was winding down, with encroaching government restrictions on emissions, rising fuel costs, and spiraling insurance premiums all contributing to engine down-sizing and slower sales. That being said, Plymouth was determined to get its money's worth from the E-body, which meant that the Barracuda forged forward in an attempt to balance style, performance, and price.1 972 saw return to single headlights for the Barracuda, along with a revised grille that split the difference between the simpler 1970 look and the aggressive '71 slats. Now available exclusively as a coupe, Plymouth erased big blocks entirely from the order sheet, throwing in a pair of small block V8s alongside the never-left slant six. Neither of the eight-cylinders were particularly mighty, as the six-pack was history and the 340 was now good for a modest 240hp with a four-barrel carburetor. The 'Cuda was still in the mix, but it was a shadow of its former self and relied largely on styling tweaks to differentiate it from the base model. Plymouth largely stayed the course in 1973, and by the time 1974 arrived it added a 360ci V8 good for 245hp to replace the now-departed 340. By then, the writing was on the wall, and at the end of the model year the Barracuda was eliminated by Chrysler corporate honchos unwilling to flirt with performance in the face of a market that had swung over to fuel misers and compacts.

For consignment, a 1974, final year example of the fabled Plymouth 'Cuda in 360 call out form.  Fully restored top to bottom, this one has been well kept since its said restoration and is bathed in Burnished Red Metallic and is in full factory garb save for the rear spoiler.  A numbers matching 360ci V8, 4-bbl carb, and numbers matching A727 Torqueflite are under the hood.  It sports a black side stripe and of course iconic good muscle car looks.  OHHHHHHH Barra-Cuda!

Exterior
At the front of the car, a traditional orange trimmed satin black split grille with argent surrounds and a single bezeled headlights flanking on either side greet us with a menacing grin.  Low mounted signal markers hover within the lower air opening and thin chrome trimming highlights the whole front end package perfectly along with the tucked and NTSB rubber block shaved mustache thin bumper.  At the top of those lamps, the original 2 scoop sport hood is bathed with the Burnished Red Metallic and sports fender tag matching hood pins.  The hood continues rearward to a pristine stainless framed windshield.  Bringing up either side of the stainless are chrome sport mirrors, and moving to the rear quarter ,on our way we note extremely well minded gaps, and all straight worry free steel, and the familiar black sticker, ever widening as it races rearward.  This all plays out on a field of the deep Burnished Red Metallic paint, which also covers the quarter sides and doors.  And at the back of the car, a traditional satin black valence housing the iconic Plymouth quad of round tail lights, and a 'Cuda badge.  The showroom quality tucked and shaved rear bumper hangs below the valance, and a Burnished Red Metallic rear roll panel with dual chrome rectangle tipped exhaust peek out.  Also noted is the satin black rear spoiler on top of the trunk lid.  Overall the paint is nicely applied, but does suffer from some bubbling on various panels which is very apparent on the horizontal surfaces   On all 4 corners are highly polished chrome and black 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels wrapped in 235/60R15's in front and larger 275/60R15 rear raised white lettered Cooper Cobra Radial G/T's from the 17th week of 2021.

Interior
Keeping the door open to the “no stone left unturned department”, we can swing open a door and see showroom quality door panels in black molded vinyl.  These have a sleek seamless look along with their 'Cuda badges in chrome.  Also showroom quality are 2 thin 1970's sleek black vinyl high back buckets with built in headrests, some tuck and roll pattern inserts and smooth bolsters.  The rear bench carries this motif in back, and these are nearly perfect as well.  This all sits in a beautiful calm sea of jet black carpet that has embroidered 'Cuda red stitched floor mats.  Floating above the carpet up front is a well done restoration on the dash, featuring a clean as a whistle round lineup of rally gauges all within a wood appliqué field and a black padded dash top.  Seen racing up the center between the buckets is a 70's stylized console in black vinyl, and wood appliqué, and sporting a correct T-handle topped "Slap Stick" shifter knob.  A black rimmed 2 spoke drilled wheel with a “Michelin Man' styled attachment fronts this very 70's muscular dash.  Above all this 70's menagerie is a tight black vinyl headliner.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and I'm bowled over by the cleanliness of this bay.  Within is a 360ci V8 which is all numbers matching.  It has a blazing blue painted block, intake manifold, black crinkle finish ribbed Mopar Performance valve covers and a 4-barrel carburetor lurking under an orange single snout air cleaner.  On the back is a numbers matching A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission.  Paired with this Torqueflite is an 8-3/4 inch rear axle.  All correct under this hood right down to the air cleaner decaling with its 360 FOUR BARREL orange, white and black badging.  Nifty.

Undercarriage
With a restoration of this quality and attention to detail as such, one would expect nothing less than to see the likes of which are a sea of black for the flooring, unibody and rockers.  Some light surface rust is showing on the usual suspects, but things are solid and strong.  The fuel tank and exhaust are pure silver steel with no road dirt and certainly no rust.  All other add-ons are pure black with an independent front torsion bars and rear leaf springs and we note the addition of rack and pinion power steering.  Power front disc braking is on, and power rear drums installed to keep this fast fish woahed.  Just a beautiful near perfection undercarriage presentation so bring a mirror to the shows to set your trophies on and view this spectacular undercarriage resto.

Drive-Ability
Our decoder and Muscle car aficionado did this test drive and he returned with a smile on his face which speaks volumes, because he is always in a bad mood!  He LOVED this car with its unending power curve, smooth shifting and nice handling.  Bias free braking was apparent to him as the ability to spin the rear tires, which is always a plus with these muscle cars, even with the EPA stepping in and messing things up.  All was in working condition as to accessories and conveniences save for the steering occasionally getting tight while turning, but the engine sound is worth the price of this fault!

All dressed up, and now also ready for some whoopass, 360 cubes, plenty of carburation to throw fossils at this mill, and a 3-speed automatic all wrapped up in straight pristine correct Burnished Red Metallic paint and satin black.   Now that's what I call a muscle car.  Bad enough to move away from the twin and become the evil stepsister!  Lovely.  

BS23L4B304197

B-Barracuda
S-Special Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
L-360ci V8 4bbl 250hp
4-1974
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
304197-Sequential Unit Number

FENDER TAG

BS23:Plymouth Barracuda
Special, 'Cuda
2 Door Hardtop
L4B:360 245hp 4bbl V8
1974
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
304197:Sequence number
E58:360ci 4-barrel V8 245hp
D34:Light Duty Automatic Transmission
GE7:Burnished Red Metallic Exterior Color
A6X9:Trim - Basic, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black
000:Full Door Panels
208:Build Date: February 08
278824:Order number
GE7:Burnished Red Metallic
U:USA Specifications
B41:Front Disc Brakes w/Standard 10in RR Drum
C16:Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C56:Bucket Seats
G11:Tinted Glass (all)
G54:Outside LH Remote Chrome Racing Mirror
G64:Outside RH Manual Chrome Racing Mirror
G74:Dual Chrome Racing Mirrors
J25:3 Speed Wipers
J54:Sport Hood
L31:Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals
M21:Roof drip rail moldings
M25:Wide sill moldings
M26:Wheel Lip Moldings
M31:Belt Moldings
M88:Deck Lid Moldings Treatment
N41:Dual Exhaust
N42:Chrome Exhaust Tips
N76:Coolant Recovery System
N85:Tachometer
R11:Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
CTD:Codes Continued on 2nd Fender Tag
V5X:Black Tape Stripe, Side
26:26" Radiator
L2-Top Color
755-Top Color

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.