Tyr-Ziu Saxnot
07-23-2015, 10:12 PM
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/s/history-plymouth-barracuda-twilight-years-173040785.html
History of the Plymouth Barracuda: The Twilight Years
From 1970 to 1971, the Plymouth Barracuda really cemented itself as an American icon. Ditching its economy car persona in place of something more muscular, the ‘Cuda really came into its own. But after the success of the 1970 and 1971 model years, the Barracuda began a downward spiral.
History of the Plymouth Barracuda: The Twilight Years
From 1970 to 1971, the Plymouth Barracuda really cemented itself as an American icon. Ditching its economy car persona in place of something more muscular, the ‘Cuda really came into its own. But after the success of the 1970 and 1971 model years, the Barracuda began a downward spiral.
Barrcuda Fourth Gen 3
The Fourth Generation (1972-1974)
In 1972, Plymouth gave the Barracuda a new grill, reduced the number of headlights to two, and settled on a four taillight design. But the biggest changes to the car during this era were caused by Uncle Sam. Ever-increasing federal safety rules led the automaker to drop big-block engine options like the 380, 480, and 426 Hemi.
In ‘72, the Barracuda came with three engine options: a 225 cubic inch six-cylinder, a 318 cubic inch V8, and a tamed-down 340 that met admission standards. Each was revamped to run on unleaded gas. Transmission options included three- and four-speed manuals and a TorqueFlite automatic. The four-speed featured a Hurst shifter.
In ‘73, Plymouth added front and rear safety bumpers, again, to meet government regulations, and dropped the 225 engine altogether. From 70 to 74, the car’s weight steadily increased, thanks to the addition of mandated side-impact protection bars and more substantial bumpers. The government was bringing the era of old-school muscle cars to an end, and demand for the Barracuda fell accordingly.
Another factor that hurt sales was the fuel crisis in the early 70s.
In 1970, a gallon of gas cost about $.40. By 1973 the cost had skyrocketed
to $.65, or about $4 in current money. American interest in muscle cars took
a backseat to economic reality. Production of the Barracuda ended on April 1, 1974,
exactly 10 years after it began.
In 2001, Chrysler closed its Plymouth division altogether.
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Great pics at the link given. My good friend had a Cuda and almost killed himself drunk driving and wrecking it.
Wrecked his motorcycle a year later and almost killed himself. Overdosed on drugs three years later almost killed himself. Cat had nine lives methinks. Lives down in Florida and still wild as hell or so I've heard about 7 years ago.
History of the Plymouth Barracuda: The Twilight Years
From 1970 to 1971, the Plymouth Barracuda really cemented itself as an American icon. Ditching its economy car persona in place of something more muscular, the ‘Cuda really came into its own. But after the success of the 1970 and 1971 model years, the Barracuda began a downward spiral.
History of the Plymouth Barracuda: The Twilight Years
From 1970 to 1971, the Plymouth Barracuda really cemented itself as an American icon. Ditching its economy car persona in place of something more muscular, the ‘Cuda really came into its own. But after the success of the 1970 and 1971 model years, the Barracuda began a downward spiral.
Barrcuda Fourth Gen 3
The Fourth Generation (1972-1974)
In 1972, Plymouth gave the Barracuda a new grill, reduced the number of headlights to two, and settled on a four taillight design. But the biggest changes to the car during this era were caused by Uncle Sam. Ever-increasing federal safety rules led the automaker to drop big-block engine options like the 380, 480, and 426 Hemi.
In ‘72, the Barracuda came with three engine options: a 225 cubic inch six-cylinder, a 318 cubic inch V8, and a tamed-down 340 that met admission standards. Each was revamped to run on unleaded gas. Transmission options included three- and four-speed manuals and a TorqueFlite automatic. The four-speed featured a Hurst shifter.
In ‘73, Plymouth added front and rear safety bumpers, again, to meet government regulations, and dropped the 225 engine altogether. From 70 to 74, the car’s weight steadily increased, thanks to the addition of mandated side-impact protection bars and more substantial bumpers. The government was bringing the era of old-school muscle cars to an end, and demand for the Barracuda fell accordingly.
Another factor that hurt sales was the fuel crisis in the early 70s.
In 1970, a gallon of gas cost about $.40. By 1973 the cost had skyrocketed
to $.65, or about $4 in current money. American interest in muscle cars took
a backseat to economic reality. Production of the Barracuda ended on April 1, 1974,
exactly 10 years after it began.
In 2001, Chrysler closed its Plymouth division altogether.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great pics at the link given. My good friend had a Cuda and almost killed himself drunk driving and wrecking it.
Wrecked his motorcycle a year later and almost killed himself. Overdosed on drugs three years later almost killed himself. Cat had nine lives methinks. Lives down in Florida and still wild as hell or so I've heard about 7 years ago.