Frame Up Built 'Cuda 440 Six Pack V8 4 Speed

Investment grade 'Cudas were some of the first heavy hitters in the muscle car marketplace and have remained contenders ever since. While that's great for collectors and the few lucky owners that have held on to their E-bodies for decades, it tends to leave most enthusiasts out in the cold when it comes to making their Mopar fantasies come true. Fortunately, “numbers matching” and “Hemi” aren't the only indicators of a great car. This 1971 Plymouth Barracuda is a true “BS”-code complete with all the cool 'Cuda upgrades. The subject of a frame up restoration, the former 383 car now carries a 440-6 V8 and a look that makes no bones about its intentions.

In a world of brightly colored E-bodies, it's easy to forget how strong of a design these cars carry. Trade the High Impact palette for a stealthy coat of black and the car's entire personality changes. The paintwork on this sinister Plymouth shows well and makes sure the body below has no secrets. With the exception of the quarters and trunk pan, this 'Cuda remains purely OEM metal. The paintwork is accented by a red broadcast stripe that suits the car's demeanor perfectly. The aggressive color scheme delivers a look that even novices will recognize as weapons-grade.

Take a closer look and note that all the details are equally well sorted. The 1971-exclusive grille offers a great introduction, followed by a classic shaker hood scoop. With black paint, quality stainless is crucial and this car wears its pieces well. From the fender vents to the rocker trim, every piece reinforces high standards set in place by the paint work. The greenhouse is accented by painted rear view mirrors and a louvered rear window which draws the eyes towards a spoiler-topped decklid. A crisp chrome rear bumper caps off the rear profile with style.

Pull the pins on this 'Cuda's hood to find a 440ci Super Commando topped with Plymouth's legendary six-barrel performance package. As the top engine option for gearheads who didn't want to sell appendages to afford a 426 HEMI, the 440 was still a force to be reckoned with on the streets. This block wears a 3698830-440 casting number on the side of the block alongside a 7/21/72 casting date. While the engine isn't original to the car, a quick glance at the 440-6 scoop and long list of correct pieces would leave most enthusiasts thinking otherwise.

Underneath the car, a road-friendly undercoated undercarriage offers a solid foundation for this sharp E-body. In the center, an A833 four-speed manual transmission makes quick work of gear changes before sending power back to a stout 8.75 differential. Mopar purists will be pleased to find the stock torsion bar suspension supporting the front end while pair of leaf springs prop up the rear. Gas adjust shocks and a rear sway bar have been added to firm things up a bit. Turns remain a manual effort but braking is power-assisted from the factory. The chassis rides on 15-inch rally wheels wrapped in period-correct F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas tires.

Inside the car, a plainspoken factory interior ensures the focus stays on performance. The solid floors are covered with cleaning black carpet while showroom-fresh high-back bucket seats make room for the driver and passenger. At either side, new molded panels proudly hang the 'Cuda name amid subtle stainless trim. The dash holds Rallye gauges that include a 150 mph speedometer while a Chrysler solid state AM radio provides the entertainment. A healthy dose of wood applique adds some upscale style to the package. Behind the rear seat, the trunk is equally clean and complete with a new mat, spare tire, a full jack assembly, and correct decals.

Strong, sinister, and ready to make enemies, this tough E-body has an undeniable appeal. In fact, that appeal was so great that it managed to sell before it was even posted to our website. Congratulations to the new owner! Stay tuned to http://rkmotorscharlotte.com for more amazing Mopars.