The third-generation Plymouth Barracuda is an icon. Fully redesigned and based on the same platform as the Dodge Challenger, the Barracuda would share no sheet metal with its muscle car sibling. It would also make people forget about its lackluster predecessors, which is a very good thing.
You could get these babies as either 2-door coupes or 2-door convertibles, fitted with a wide range of powertrain options, from slant-6s to large V8s of the Hemi variety. The most desirable engines were undoubtedly the 375 hp 440 ci four-barrel Super Commando, the 390 hp 440 ci Six Barrel, and the 425 hp 426 ci Hemi V8.
In a straight line, the Barracuda would take a backseat to no muscle car. One could even argue that it was one of the very best during that era, and we’re actually going to be making that argument in this week’s Elite Eight knockout stage of our All-Time Best Classic American Muscle Cars feature.
Back to what we’ve got going on here – it’s a 1971 Barracuda that’s been heavily modified both inside and out, to the point where it wouldn’t look out of place being driven by Dominic Toretto in one of these new and ridiculous Fast & Furious movies.
Visually, you’ve got the “Dark Lord” aesthetic with the satin-black hood and rear wing along with the all-black body. Then you’ve got the quad headlights, body-color bumpers, shaker-style hood, vented fenders, dual side mirrors, dual exhaust outlets, and a set of SRT-style 20-inch wheels with 255/35 and 315/35 Nitto NT05 tires – bigger at the rear, of course.
Other noteworthy features include the rack-and-pinion power steering, adjustable coilovers and Hotchkis sway bars, plus the power-assisted Brembo brakes with red-finished calipers and slotter rotors.
You’re probably wondering why this ‘71 Barracuda needs all that stopping power. Well, that’s because it’s been retrofitted with a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, taken straight from a 2016 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat donor car. The 707 horsepower gets channeled to the rear wheels via a GM 4L80 four-speed automatic gearbox.
Photo: Bring a Trailer
As for the interior, you’ve got your aftermarket front bucket seats and rear bench (both rocking red and black upholstery), black upholstery for the dashboard, center console, and door panels (with red stitching), Vintage Air heating and air conditioning, power windows, black ‘Cuda-branded floor mats, a push-button AM/FM radio, and a Billet Specialties steering wheel fronting the custom Dakota Digital instrumentation.
According to the seller, this car took a whole two years to build, at a cost of $200,000. The interior alone cost $35,000.
