About 1970 Plymouth 'cuda and Barracuda
The 'cuda model was introduced in 1969 as a sport model of the Barracuda (64-74). The 'cuda model had heavy duty suspension, larger engines and larger brakes. In 1970 the Barracuda/'cuda got a new chassis called the E-body (previews years were A-body, and based on the Plymouth Valiant) which it shared with the Dodge Challenger/ Challenger R/T. The E-body would last in 5 year 70-74, when the Barracuda/'cuda and the Challenger was discontinued. The 1970 Barracuda, Barracuda Gran Coupe and 'cuda was released as 2 door hard tops and as a cabriolets.
The 1970 'cuda model had these engine to choose from 383 High Performer 335HP (Standard), 340 4bbl 275HP, 340 6bbl 290HP(AAR 'cuda only), 440 4bbl 375HP, 440 6bbl 390HP and the 426 Hemi 4bblx2 425HP. 70 'cuda had drum brakes on all 4 wheels as standard. You could get disc brakes (front wheels) and power brake (both disc and drums) as an option. Cruise control, power windows, fender turn signals, power steering, road/fog lights, 8-track, Fm radio, hockey strips on the rear quarter with engine size call outs, were some of the other option you could order on the 'cuda. An easy way to tell if a the car you’re looking at is a real 'cuda and not a Barracuda is by checking the first two letters in the VIN code in windscreen. They should always begins with BS (70-74) example: BS23N0E123456. A Barracuda starts with BH and the Barracuda Grand Coupe starts with BP.
The visual difference of the 70 'cuda compare to the Barracuda is; The rally hood with it's two fake fresh air intakes and engine call outs or the hood with the shaker option, the red stripe in the grill, the dual exhaust out of the lower valance, the flat black painted rear plate with chrome molding around, and the chrome around the rear lights.
The AAR 'cuda was a special midyear model of the 'cuda. That was made to be able to race in the Trans Am races. It had a special 340 small block with three 2bbl carburetors (call a 6bbl). The visual difference from a normal 'cuda was a flat black fiber glass hood with fresh air intake, a small flat black rear spoiler, flat black painted grill with chrome moldings, side exhaust and black strobe stripe decal on both side of the car that ended up in the AAR logo (AAR = All American Race).
The 70 Barracuda Gran Coupe was a upgrade of the Barracuda (BH), with leather front seats, overhead console (hard tops only) with doors open light, and low fuel light. The door panels were also different from the Barracuda and 'cuda. They had a red stripe molding in them. The grill has the same chrome mould in it as the AAR cuda, but the grill was gray like the Barracuda and 'cuda. The rear panel which is painted flat black on the 'cuda is painted flat gray like the grill on the Barracuda Gran Coupe.
| 1970 Plymouth Barracuda |
Barracuda model and body colored bumper |
Barracuda model rear view and chromed bumper |
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| 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe |
Gran Coupe cabriolets rear view |
The Gran Coupe emblem |
Gran Coupe |
| 1970 Plymouth 'cuda |
'cuda model with ralley hood and chrome bumper |
'cuda cabriolets with optional shaker hood |
'cuda rear view and chromed bumper |
| 1970 Plymouth AAR 'cuda |
AAR 'cuda model |
AAR 'cuda rear view |
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