Tech Specs
ENGINE
5.6 L V8
HORSEPOWER
400 HP
0-60 SPEED
5.5 Seconds
TOP SPEED
150 MPH
HIGHEST REPORTED SALE
$352,000
Past / Present
1971 Plymouth Cuda 340
1971 Plymouth Cuda 340
Sassy Grass Green
The Plymouth Barracuda went through several design changes during its decade-long run and in our humble opinion; the 3rd generation is the best. The Barracuda was produced from 1964 to 1974, and during the last generation, the Barracuda name was shortened to the more stylized “‘Cuda”. Our ‘Cuda was originally equipped with the 340 cu in 5.6L V8.
The 1971 line of ‘Cuda is also the only year that features a full vinyl billboard with the engine size callout on it, making it extremely distinct among the 3rd gen cars. Only an estimated 2,110 ‘Cudas were made in this engine and drivetrain.
This particular ‘Cuda is one of many cars in our collection with a story behind it. One of our founders, John, secretly purchased it for his wife, Michelle, as a Christmas Gift after she spotted it in Vince’s restoration bay and fell in love with the car and color. Unfortunately, the car had burnt valves at the time of purchase so a new motor was also part of her surprise. She was so eager to drive it, John and Vince spent the whole day doing a motor swap on the car and managed to get it done in time for Christmas dinner.
She used to take part in car shows with the family and has a car of her own to shine and show off. What wasn’t expected were the dozens of best in show awards it took home every time she took it out. Now her daughter and our CEO, Monique drives it frequently and takes it to car and charity events.
It features a verdant Sassy Grass Green paint job that is always a showstopper. The name of the paint and model of car are both honored in the clever custom license plate ‘SASYFSH.’ One of the other special small details is the hood scoop plugs. Michelle has always had a love of frogs, particularly the Red-eyed Tree Frog, and so John painted the plugs for the hood scoop red to give the impression of a bright green frog with hidden red eyes as a small reference to his wife’s favorite amphibian. Michelle’s ‘Cuda was also featured in the two page writeup ‘A family affair’, in a 2018 issue of Mopar Magazine where the car is humorously depicted as her ‘Grocery Getter’.
