A friend of mine has the opportunity to buy a 72 cuda 340. The car has a 440 in it right now, but comes with the #'s matching 340 4bbl. The car was a nice driver that was taken partially apart for a company to make a mold of the body to produce fiberglass cuda bodies. This car is virtually rust free, very straight, has a super nice black bucket interior with console,tuff wheel,etc. Was originally yellow/black int. The car is pretty much ready for paint. What would be a fair price for this car? Thanks, Tom
I'm assuming you mean in as-is condition. Whats it worth finished? And lastly, what is the difference between a Barracuda and a Cuda? I know it's an E body, but is it just a "nickname" or was there really some kind of a difference in the way the car was optioned?
It looks like the 'Cuda was the higher performance trim package, not a different model. From Wikipedia: 1969 was the year that Plymouth finally got serious about performance. They boosted the output of the 383 cid engine to 330 bhp and found room to fit power steering. Plymouth also introduced a cosmetic package built around the Formula S option, which they called the 'Cuda. The 'Cuda could be had with either the 275 bhp 340 V8 or the 383, but it still wasn't fast enough. Plymouth responded in 1970 by stuffing in the triple carb 440 V8 under the hood, the largest engine available in a pony car. The performance models were called 'Cudas and featured five different V8s, the 340, 383, 440, 440+6, and the almighty 426 Hemi. The 440s and the Hemi cars received a special high performance suspension to put all that power to the road. Standard Barracudas came with a flat hood, while 'Cudas came with standard dual non-functional hood scoops. Optional on all 'Cudas (and standard on Hemi's) was a very functional shaker scoop, so named because it attached directly to the engine, and poked up through a hole in the hood and thus "shaked" whenever the engine did. Hemi - 426/425: 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, 1/4 mile in 13.41 sec. @ 104.6 mph.\
My friend looked for a decent Cuda for a year. Finally found one in MI. A 70 with a non fact 400auto. Not bad shape. Needs a little work and a paint job. He paid $23,000. We also looked some 72's with org. 340/4 spd and they were in the 20's also for a nice one. Ebay drove the prices skyhigh. Ray
Tom As you know the 72-74 Cuda's do not have anywhere near the value clout like 70-71 Cuda's so buy accordingly.
I wouldn't pay anymore than $13,000. The 440 is a bigger selling point over the 340. If it still had the 340 in it I wouldn't pay anything over $10,000.
It sounds like a good solid car with some reassembly. To me, it would be worth more with the original 340 in it. If you can buy the car for under $12,000 and have less than $2,000 more to put it back together, it's probably a good deal.
