“Signature cars” is a topic not often broached in the classic car world. To this writer, it suggests a vehicle configured for marketing purposes, especially in a signature color that may come to be commonly associated with said vehicle. For our Pick of the Day, we have the signature configuration for Plymouth’s all-new Barracuda, a 1970 ‘Cuda 440 two-door hardtop. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Las Vegas. (Click the link to view the listing)
Have you ever noticed how certain cars were promoted when they were new? An easy example would be the 1969 GTO Judge. Initial production was directed by Pontiac, with 1,000 Judges distributed among dealerships featuring 10 mandatory options: Judge package, power disc brakes, power steering, console, Rally gauges with clock, AM radio, Deluxe seat belts with front shoulder, Soft-Ray tinted windows, remote driver-side mirror, and Safe-T-Track limited-slip rear. These cars have come to be known as “pattern Judges.” Transmissions varied among them, and the hood tachometer was present on stick cars, but not automatics. Another batch of 1,000 were produced, all in Carousel Red, but dealers and customers were able to specify other amenities. After these 2,000, Pontiac allowed Judges to be specified in any stock GTO color.
Another example, this one related by Jim Wangers in his book Glory Days, had Pontiac promoting the restyled (and gorgeous) 1963 Grand Prix in metropolitan Detroit by overrunning the city in Nocturne Blue examples, creating an effect that they were everywhere. A third example could be Oldsmobile’s lineup for 1967 and you’ll find several models promoting the light yellow interior, often paired with Saffron paint, with examples of this combination not being difficult to find.
So, when Plymouth introduced the Barracuda on the all-new E-body platform, the car often seen in ads and in the press was not one of the many bright High Impact colors, many of which were new for 1970. But, considering one of the Barracuda’s appearance options was initially only available in red, it made sense to promote the performance-oriented ‘Cuda in Rallye Red. That appearance option was the Elastomeric Bumper Package.
If you look at 1969 Camaros, it was possible to order a urethane front bumper to give a smooth monochromatic look. Plymouth liked this idea and developed it for the redesigned Barracuda, though Plymouth did Chevrolet one better by offering the package either for the front (A21) or front and back (A22). When the Barracuda was introduced, the A21 package was available in nine colors:
- Rallye Red (FE5)
- Blue Fire Metallic (EB5)
- Ivy Green Metallic (EF8)
- Deep Burnt Orange Metallic (FK5)
- Alpine White (EW1)
- Black Velvet (TX9)
- In Violet (FC7)
- Limelight (FJ5)
- Lemon Twist (FY1)
We don’t know why A22-equipped Barracudas were limited to red early in the model year, but perhaps it was a supplier issue. By December, Plymouth announced effective production dates for A22-equipped Barracudas in the other eight colors.
If you glance at old brochures, ads, publications, and promotional films, you’ll find a red ‘Cuda featuring “V1X” black vinyl top, A22 bumpers, and red Shaker “N96” hood, plus the “V6X” rear-quarter stripe, though some early material lacks the stripe. You’ll also find different wheels (three by my count), but the core signature elements are color, top, bumpers, and hood.
This 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440 appears to satisfy those signature components. It features the V-code 440, otherwise known as the 440 Six-Barrel. An impressive 1,755 hardtops were built with this engine for the U.S. market (not including Canadian or export), of which 902 had the Pistol Grip four-speed. An axle package was mandatory with this engine and transmission, with this one featuring the Track Pak with Dana 60 axle with 3.54 gears. Aside from the top, bumpers, and stripe, this ‘Cuda features Rallye wheels, rear spoiler, red interior, Rallye instrument cluster, center console, rim-blow steering wheel, Music Master AM radio with rear speaker, and inflatable spare.
Though the 1970 Barracuda was not a great sales success—sporty and performance car sales were waning—this is a primo piece of Mopar performance, a signature car requiring your signature and $198,500 to own.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com