September 27, 2023 Update – We’re pleased to report that the high bidder met the seller’s reserve price of $29,900 at the very end of the auction for this numbers-matching, 43.3K-mile, 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-Speed!  Congrats to the buyer and seller on what will be a fun car!

(NOTE: Click on the picture to stop the slide show and expand the feature pictures. Scroll down to see all the photographs)

GuysWithRides.com is pleased to offer Lot 267, a numbers-matching, 43.4K original mile, 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-Speed offered by the current owner since 1984.

This ’72 Cuda is being auctioned online with a reserve price. 

Bidding opened Wednesday, September 13, 2023, and continues through Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at 5:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time.

This 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-Speed for sale currently resides as part of a private collection located in Ewing, New Jersey.

The Deets

High Bid: $29,900 (Reserve Met!)

In the early 1970s, the American automotive industry was at the zenith of the muscle car era. Muscle cars were more than just cars. They represented power, speed, and a rebellious spirit that defined the counterculture. The 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 is a famous muscle car that symbolizes power, fashion, and attitude from its golden era.

Based on the E-Body Barracuda, Plymouth created the ‘Cuda in the 1960s to rival Ford’s Mustang and Chevrolet’s Camaro. It started as an option package for the Plymouth Valiant but quickly evolved into its distinct model line. By 1970, the ‘Cuda had gained its independence, featuring a new body design and a range of potent engines.

The 1972 ‘Cuda was the second-generation model’s third year, showing Plymouth’s dedication to powerful cars. The ‘Cuda was available in various trim levels, but the 340 model was a standout. The product appealed to individuals who desired a combination of power and practicality. This made it a suitable choice for both road use and racing.

The 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 showcased the era’s muscular, aggressive design language. Its curvaceous, coke-bottle shape, with wide fenders and bold lines, gave it an imposing presence on the road. The iconic Shaker hood scoop, which protruded through the hood, was functional and added to its menacing appearance.

The ‘Cuda 340 had many bright colors like Hemi Orange and Lemon Twist, making it stand out and get attention. This model had a black grille, spoilers at the front and back, and special ‘Cuda badges to make it stand out.

Inside, the ‘Cuda 340 continued to exude a sense of sportiness and performance. High-back bucket seats, a center console, and a three-spoke steering wheel added to the driver-centric atmosphere. The ‘Cuda 340 was a muscle car that was comfortable driving every day and performed well during weekend trips.

Under the hood of the 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 was where the real magic happened. Its heart and soul was a 340 cubic inch (5.6-liter) V8 engine, a Chrysler’s LA engine family member. The 340 V8 had lower emissions and compression ratio compared to previous models. However, it still had a powerful 240 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque.

The ‘Cuda 340 was a powerful and lightweight muscle car, known for being agile and responsive during its time.

Plymouth offered additional power options such as a limited-slip differential, strong suspension parts, and different rear axle ratios. These options were available for customers who desired enhanced performance. Buyers could customize their ‘Cuda 340 for drag racing or driving on winding roads.

Behind the wheel of a 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340, drivers experienced an exhilarating blend of power and precision. The responsive V8 engine produced a throaty, unmistakable exhaust note that served as a siren call to speed enthusiasts. The four-speed manual transmission provided full control over the car’s performance.

The ‘Cuda’s sport-tuned suspension and precise steering gave it a nimble and planted feel on the road. The ‘Cuda 340 provided an exhilarating driving experience on the highway and in corners. This type of experience is hard to come by in modern cars.

The 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 was a great car, but it also signaled the end of the muscle car era. Rising fuel prices, tightening emissions regulations, and changing consumer preferences led to the decline of these high-performance machines. The ‘Cuda would see its final year of production in 1974.

The 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 is a valuable car for collectors. It represents a time when American muscle cars were popular. Its rarity and historical significance have made it a valuable piece of automotive history. Enthusiasts worldwide cherish and auctions command high prices for restored or well-preserved examples.

In conclusion, the 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 is an iconic representation of the American muscle car’s golden era. This car has a cool design, strong power, and exciting driving.

The car has a cool design, strong power, and exciting driving. It continues to impress car lovers. It also reminds us of how cars used to symbolize freedom and power, rather than just being a means of transportation.

Rudy personally inspected and filmed this driver-quality example with this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-Speed located less than one hour from the Guys With Rides Office. Here are his thoughts:

It’s not often I come across an honest, low-mileage muscle car featuring what is believed to be its original drivetrain.  With only 43,439 original miles, the only thing stopping me from calling this ‘Cuda a “survivor” is that it was repainted in the early 1980s in the original Lemon Twist exterior color. As the pictures illustrate, this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda is a solid, rust-free example that the next caretaker can continue to enjoy as-is this fall and then spend the winter detailing the engine compartment and refreshing the interior.  This is a rare find with a seller who has agreed to a very market-appropriate reserve price as he wants to see the car go to a new caretaker who will enjoy the car as much as he has since 1984.

The seller reports he came across their Lemon Twist 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-speed for sale on the side of the road in 1984.  At the time, he owned an earlier 318/automatic-equipped Barracuda but longed for something more powerful.  Consequently, he sold his Barracuda to fund the purchase of this ‘Cuda.  After using it for several years as his daily driver, marriage and kids meant the ‘Cuda became his fun car over the years.  Always garaged, the current caretaker sympathetically maintained the car.  During his ownership, the seller obtained a number of spare trim pieces that will be included as part of the sale (see the picture gallery below).

For the die-hard “Mopar Or No Car” enthusiasts out there, here are the VIN tag, Fender tag, engine serial number, and engine part number confirming this 1972 Plymouth Cuda 340 is a numbers-matching example with the original, unmodified drivetrain intact:

Using the E-Bodies.org Fender Tag Decoder, we confirmed how this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-Speed left the Hamtramck, Michigan assembly line.  While this website’s decoder only works on 1970 E-Bodies currently, the important point is that Chrysler rarely changed codes between model years.  If any readers know of a better source, please let us know in the comments below, and we will update the documentation accordingly.  The only correction to the data shown below is that the E55 340 cubic inch V8 was rated 240 SAE Net for the 1972 model year:

While the pictures in the gallery below document this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340/4-speed to be a solid car, upon inspection, Rudy documented several spots where the forty-year-old repaint is beginning to bubble on the lower rear quarter panels.  Rudy’s inspection confirmed the rear quarters are very solid, with no signs on the backside of the quarter panels showing any signs of a prior rust repair.

Besides the forty-year-old repaint, the only modification found on this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 for sale is the aftermarket stereo. As part of that upgrade, a previous owner replaced the original pressboard rear package shelf with a veneer-plywood piece designed to house the aftermarket 6″ x 9″ rear speakers.  Legendary Auto Interiors offers a reproduction rear package tray in black should you decide to refresh the interior.

While purchasing either a 1970 Plymouth Cuda for sale or a 1971 Plymouth Cuda for sale can be expensive, a 1972 Plymouth Cuda for sale represents a better value providing comparable performance.

The 340 Cuda is also a relative bargain compared to purchasing either a Plymouth Hemi Cuda for sale or a Plymouth AAR Cuda for sale.

Those considering purchasing this ‘Cuda should be advised that the car’s current tires are very old.  We recommend anyone considering driving this car home after the purchase should replace the tires with a fresh set before doing so.

The opportunity to buy a real-deal, unmodified 1970 to 1974 Plymouth Cudas for sale becomes rarer with each passing year, so if you’ve had your heart set on buying a vintage E-Body at a realistic price, don’t miss out on this opportunity!

To help you make informed bids, we’re providing a link to Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, that summarizes other recently sold Plymouth ‘Cudas equipped with all powertrain variations:

If you have any questions about this 1972 Plymouth ‘Cuda 340 4-Speed for sale, please leave a comment below or feel free to call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking and happy bidding!