Although the Barracuda was introduced a few weeks before the Mustang in 1964 the earlier models lacked muscle. The 273 helped sales but not for long and in 1967 Plymouth redesigned the car and the engine options included the 383. The 1967 sales figures, however, would never be equaled. For 1969 buyers could have the 440 V8 and body styling was again changed. Despite this and a limited incursion into racing the sales slide could not be halted. As with all other muscle cars the early 1970s emissions and safety regulations killed them off. This is a book of contemporary road and comparison tests, specification and technical data, driver's impressions, new model introductions, history.
The 1970–1974 Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Challengers are compact, lightweight, and extremely powerful pony cars; some are considered to be the greatest Mopar muscle cars of the era. The platform, known as the E-Body for this generation, was Chrysler’s response to the competition from the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro. Today, the E-Body Barracudas and Challengers are some of the most valuable and popular muscle cars ever built. In The Definitive Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Challenger Guide: 1970-1974, seasoned journalist Scott Ross has unearthed new information from the key personnel involved in designing, engineering, and building these brash muscle cars. Ross provides comprehensive engine, transmission, and interior options as well as essential trim package and color code information. You learn the bottom line on original equipment packages and options. Ross covers Special Edition, R/T, Gran Coupe, and Rapid Transit System packages. And of course, the preeminent models in the lineup, Hemi Cuda, Challenger 440 six pack, AAR Cuda, and Challenger TA are covered in extensive detail. The large option list (and which options were available on which cars) is covered in great detail, which will greatly assist you with authentication. Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Challengers are some of the most powerful and valuable Mopar muscle cars ever built. If you have been searching for the comprehensive story and vital option information for these classic Mopar muscle cars, you don’t need to look any further.
Renowned for their sleek shapes and prodigiously powerful engines, the Chrysler corporation's Challenger and Barracuda were among the top cars of the muscle car era. This book will demonstrate the correct parts, finishes, options, and trim pieces for all the versions of the E-body Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda, which appeared from 1970 to 1974. Especially important to this are the variety of engine options available, including the hemispherical-head engines-Hemis-that are so crucial to the mystique of these muscle cars.
Take a roaring ride through every year of Chrysler performance-car history led by stunning photography, lively commentary, and detailed specification tables for every model. Expanded and updated, The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars details all of the classic Mopar muscle cars from 1960 to today in one handsomely designed book. Explore every aspect of the: Early 1960s factory lightweights Boulevard brawlers like the Road Runner, GTX, and Super Bee Super collector cars like Hemi-powered ’Cudas, Challengers, and Superbirds 21st century Charger (2006–2023) and Challenger (2008–2023) performance cars Over nearly 75 years, Chrysler’s Dodge and Plymouth brands have offered some of the most memorable and exciting muscle cars ever loosed on the motoring public. Arguably, it all began with the 1951 release of the vaunted V-8 Hemi engine. This legendary beast passed through a handful of displacements until finally morphing into the all-conquering 426. Chrysler’s V-8 prowess shone in early 1960s factory-lightweight drag cars then moved to muscle-era classics like the Charger, Roadrunner, GTX, Super Bee, and Superbird. But it wasn’t just about Hemis; Chrysler offered a variety of V-8 engines including 340, 383, and 440 displacements fitted to other top-flight cars like the Barracuda, Challenger, ’Cuda, and Duster. No other Detroit automaker offered a wider variety of performance cars in the 1960 and early ’70s. Emissions requirements and ever-increasing insurance tabs put the squeeze on performance cars beginning in the mid-1970s, and Mopar performance declined for decades. But it returned with a vengeance in the 21st century, first in the guise of a new Charger (4-door!) and then the beloved retro-design Challenger. Both of these iconic models were put to rest in 2023, but not before unleashing the wild 807-horsepower Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye and the outrageous 1,025-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. Power to the people, indeed! The Complete Book of Dodge and Plymouth Muscle Cars is a must-have reference for all Mopar muscle fans.
Just what is a Muscle Car? Road Test magazine asked in June 1967. The answer: Exactly what the name implies. It is a product of the American car industry adhering to the hot rodders philosophy of taking a small car and putting a BIG engine in it. . . . The Muscle Car is Charles Atlas kicking sand in the face of the 98 horsepower weakling. Unconcerned with such trivial details as comfort and handling, the vintage American muscle car was built for straight-line speed and quickly became the ride of choice for power-hungry racers and serious gearheads. In a country where performance was measured in brute force, a quarter mile at a time, the muscle car was the perfect machine. In the intervening years, these down-and-dirty, high-performing beauties have earned their place in the automotive pantheon. As prized by collectors and aficionados as they are by denizens of garages and drag strips, classic muscle cars now fetch upwards of a million dollars at auctions and feature in any story of Americas automotive glory days. The icons of muscle car artincluding Camaro and Chevelle SS, the Hemi and 440-6 Cuda, Challenger, Roadrunner, Super Bee, GTX, Super Bird, Daytona Charger, Super Cobra Jet and Boss Mustang, Talladega Torino, Buick GSX and W30 Oldsmobile 442, and AMX Javelinare all here, on full display in this lavishly illustrated volume, each described in a detailed essay followed by a gallery of portraits and special gatefold presentations that capture the art of the muscle car at its finest.
Chrysler entered the pony-car market with the capable but unlovely Barracuda in the early 1960s. The car was refined over the years, becoming a true muscle car, and a rather handsome one at that, but it wasn’t until the advent of the E-body pony cars from 1970-1974—Barracudas, the Dodge Challenger, and Plymouth ‘Cuda—that Chrysler became a true player in the pony-car market. This book tells the story of Chrysler’s pony car series, from the advent of the original Barracuda in 1964 to the final days of the smog-motored Challengers and ‘Cudas of the mid-1970s, focusing on the series’ heyday in the early 1970s.
When the Barracuda arrived in the Plymouth lineup in mid-1964, it was given an unbearable task: compete against the new Ford Mustang. Out the gate, it was outsold by a 6 to 1 margin. Barracuda could always compete with Mustang in the performance category, but aesthetically it just wasn't accepted like its Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro counterparts. That was until 1970, when a complete re-design in the E-Body platform turned the tide. In terms of performance, the 1970-1974 Barracudas and Challengers were every bit the measure of the Ford and GM offerings. By 1971, the handsome Barracuda had established itself as one of the best-performing cars in the marketplace. Ordering the ’Cuda, owners could lay waste to Mustang and Camaro owners with such stout engine packages as the 440-6 and 426 Hemi. Sales numbers never did match that of its cross-town rivals, but in the end, the 1971 ’Cuda won the war. No other mass-production Pony Car can consistently claim asking prices of $2,000,000 its top model (in today's prices). As in all In Detail Series books, you get an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating the car, a look at marketing and promotion, an in-depth study of all hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the car is on the market today. Also included are paint and option codes, VIN and build tag decoders, as well as production numbers.
The complete collector's reference to Mopar muscle cars just got even better with updated information covering the Dart, Demon, and 1980s-era Shelby Dodges, as well as recent sensations like the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler. Of course, this information-packed pocketbook also features production numbers, factory colors, options, specifications, engine codes, serial numbers, and much more for such all-time classics as the Barracuda, Challenger, Charger, Road Runner and Super Bee.
