New and Pre-owned Plymouth Cuda for Sale

Whenever an enthusiast sees a Plymouth Cuda for sale sign, there's a natural sense of excitement. The first generation of the Plymouth Cudas came out in 1964. Second-generation models were released in 1967-1968, and the third-generation models came out between 1970 and 1974. There are so many brilliant iterations of the vehicle, from the 426 Cuda Hemi to the 340 Cuda. Here's everything that potential owners need to know about the Hemi Cuda.

First Generation Cuda (1964-1966): The first generation of the car is among the most popular options for a Cuda restomod. These are available in three main engine size, the standard 2.8L Slant-6, a more powerful 3.7L Slant-6, and a roaring 4.5L LA V8. Naturally, it’s the LA V8 that gets the most attention. Sadly, the first-generation of the Cuda doesn’t get the love it deserves. The car is grossly overshadowed by the introduction of the 1964 Mustang, a car that went on to define the “pony car” style.

Another criticism of the first-generation vehicles is that they were just regular with a fastback body style. However, that makes for a great Cuda restomod because the parts are significantly cheaper than other generations. Even though the mid-60s were ruled by the Mustang, it’s important to remember that Plymouth was the first to introduce the concept to the market.

Second Generation Cuda (1967-1969): After the reception to the first generation of the Cuda, it became evident that Plymouth needed to make an effort to change the styling of the vehicle. While it still shared a lot of features with the Valiant, the second generation of the Cuda is a stylistic upgrade over the first-generation vehicles.

Plymouth started selling the car in three body styles. It was available in a 2-door fastback coupe, hardtop coupe, or convertible format. They also introduced a lot more engine trims. Some of the most coveted are the 7.2L RB V8 and the 2x4bbl HEMI RB V8. These are some of the most expensive and coveted Cudas.

This iteration of the car was a big improvement on the first-generation. Not only was the car a stylistic upgrade, but Plymouth also started flexing their racing muscle with this generation as well. The introduction of the convertible also saw a new avenue for Plymouth. While not as appreciated during the time, a Hemi Cuda Convertible is one of the most wanted cars in the world.

Third Generation Cuda (1970-1971): The 1970-1971 years are some of the most legendary in American muscle car history. If there's a 1970 Hemi Cuda for sale or a 1971 Hemi Cuda, buyers can expect a lot of competition and a very high price. Its introduction saw the Cuda shed all its ties with the Valiant. They got rid of the fastback design, and the car was available in either a 2-door hardtop coupe or a 2-door convertible. It also saw the introduction of the legendary Plymouth Hemi Cuda.

The 1970 Cuda was available in three versions. Its base version was known as the Cuda (BH), a luxury Gran Coupe (BP), and the sports Cuda (BS). From 1970-1971, Plymouth also sold a low-end model known as the Cuda Coupe (A93). The most coveted is 7.0L Hemi V8 that produced an incredible 425-horsepower for that time.

This generation saw the introduction of legendary versions of the car like the 440 Cuda Sixpack, or the 426 Hemi Cuda. There's also the ultra-rare Hemi Cuda convertible, which is one of the most expensive classic cars ever sold at an auction. These cars provided some much-needed competition to the established Mustang and Challenger at the time.

In modern times, these cars are more coveted than they were ever before. What makes a Plymouth Hemi Cuda so attractive is the rarity. Buyers can hardly ever expect to see a Plymouth Cuda convertible for sale. If it ever does sell, it sells for an extraordinary price.

Third Generation (1972-74) Cuda: After 1971, Plymouth once again made a few changes to the vehicle. It came with a new grille and single headlights. The rear-end of the vehicle also featured four circular taillights. From the years 72-74, Plymouth only made slight cosmetic changes to the body of the vehicle. However, due to the federal impact standard, it wasn't available in any of the legendary big-block engines. The convertible model was also dropped, and Plymouth also cut down on a lot of other convenience items.

As with all American vehicles during this time, there was a significant decrease in the performance of the Cuda. Gone were the days of the roaring V8 that would produce incredible amounts of noise and power. The introduction of new safety standards meant that Plymouth needed to include large, heavy front bumpers. As a result, the power to weight ratio of these vehicles made for a dreadful driving experience. Shopping preferences also shifted towards buying more fuel-efficient vehicles. Even though Plymouth was making plans for bringing out another Cuda, they decided against releasing the car and halted production on April 1st, 1974. It was a rather sad end for one of the most legendary muscle cars of all time.

Anyone interested in buying a Plymouth Cuda needs to take into consideration a lot of factors. Keeping a classic car isn't easy, and for those that can't set aside the time for maintenance, it's not going to be a fun time. Here are a few tips that can help make owning and maintaining a classic car easier.

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