1970 and 1971 Plymouth Cudas - Which is the best? Muscle Car Of The Week Episode

[@williamwolff5834]

Thanks! My darling wife just beat breast cancer on Wednesday, July 29th. The same day I was to have my leg amputated. We have loved the 73 Hemi 5 speed convertible as "our car."

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

William, thank you so much for sharing your story and for your generous donation. We're happy to hear you and your wife have enjoyed the 'cuda convertible, it sounds like a fun car with a Hemi and a 5 Speed! We apologize for the delay in this response, but hope you are both doing well and we thank you again for your support!

[@GoodOlRoll]

73 Hemi?

[@charlies.5777]

While I'd LOVE to have either one in my garage, I gotta go with the '71 'Cuda; you JUST CAN'T beat that awesome "serrated" grille and those 🐟gills!! Personally, I think Mr Herlitz's "grille" should be Mt Rushmore for designing these rigs!!👍

[@Silverick2]

I have always loved the '70 and '71 'Cuda! But, when it comes to looks, that '71 grill with the fender 'gills' absolutely nailed it!! To me, it completed the entire 'Cuda themed presentation!!

[@rondleswango5479]

Doggone

[@alanwood5857]

The Brother's must be billionaires to afford all those cars...I prefer the 1970 'Cuda with single headlights and more subtle hockey stick stripe.

[@BrianMoats-sv8hr]

Yea, the 70 doesn't have those dumb looking side vent things or dual headlights. To me the 70 was just smoother, but I've never been a big chrome kind of guy.

[@hiitsstillme]

A tough choice indeed. These and the early Challengers are high on my list as the most beautiful cars ever made... arguably the ultimate "pony car", if you could still call them that. Well proportioned from any angle, they were a study of the art of late '60's automotive design. Given a choice however, the spartan beauty of the '70, sans the added headlights, gills, shaver-grille, go-wing and billboard gee-gaws added in '71, wins our vote.

[@ronyeahright9536]

that 70 blue cuda is awesome

[@thefettfan3994]

70' or 71', either model because i'd say that back in the day one had tremendous fun choosing from the list of all specifications leading up to purchasing. Yes, when buying a car was an enjoyment in life!! Great chosen subjects for this video presentation!!!

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

Thank you! Choosing from all those options would be fun!

[@johna1160]

Gotta love those body colored steel wheels with dog dishes.

[@bman99ss]

Although I liked your comment, I was never a big fan of those on E-Bodies. I always preferred the 15-inch rallyes . . .

[@Cheops2112]

The steel wheels are called “Dog Dish” hub caps. Your comment is redundant.

[@bman99ss]

@@Cheops2112 The steel wheels aren't called "Dog Dish" hub caps. "Dog Dish" hub caps are affixed to the steel wheels. If you're gonna be a stickler . . .

[@dflf]

To me the 1970 has a cleaner design. Single headlights, parking lights, grill and especially the graphics

[@julemandenudengaver4580]

71... Love the dual frontligth... If i could get a slant 6 model i would be happy

[@benkrom2737]

I love the front of a 70 Cuda with 71 fenders. 2 eyes with gills in fenders. Nice !

[@larryruben5681]

Love those '71 gills!!

[@plumcrazy_trackpak2545]

Thanks for sharing this episode! I'm a long time fan just re-activating my KZbin account! You will be hearing from me again for sure as it has been a blessing learning more about our beloved American Iron! Does the Brothers Collection have an 70' AMC Rebel Machine, 4-speed, AMC 20 Twin Grip Rear car? I would love to see an Desoto Adventurer with a Dual quad Hemi and a push button 727 trans reading a 150mph speedometer. Few Know about Desoto's and other forward look 50's muscle cars!

[@andrewipp426]

I loved my 70 BB Cuda , im partial because I like the simplicity in the styling. I need to build another one soon!

[@craigpennington1251]

I had a 1970 AAR Cuda 340 6 pack 4speed pistol grip and absolutely no options on the car, plus 3:23:1 posi. It was heavily modified with a Crane fireball 650 solid flat tap cam only one among many mods. I do like both the 70 and 71s. The 71s had an extra headlight which was a plus. The AAR was great on a 5 mile road coarse. I sure miss those days.

[@avman1339]

That car with a 3.91 gearset and sticky tires would be a real treat. 3.91s with that 340 6bbl!

[@bman99ss]

Gotta love the cheese-grater grill on the '71 models.

[@larryyatsko6966]

Bigger fan of the 1970 grille.

[@bman99ss]

@@larryyatsko6966 I'll take either one . . .

[@danbaumann8273]

I love it too. Super bad ass looking. Problem is I love the single headlights and clean look on the 70. Ugh! Haha

[@danbaumann8273]

@@bman99ss Yes.

[@johnmanley7859]

1970 Cuda with a 440 shaker and a hockey stick stripe is my dream car .

[@bailey9r]

That was the one to beat, Hemi needed a lot of mods to see it's potential. Add to that the Hemi only had a 90 day warranty. 71 they all lost power due to emissions requirements.

[@MrZdvy]

bailey9r they didn’t lose power in ‘71, all mopar engines had the same hp rating in ‘71. They started lowering compression ratios on all engines in 1972. Some got slightly lower compression in ‘71, but hp ratings remained the same. Ofcourse it all changed in ‘72 when they moved to net hp ratings.

[@XBobbyVegasX]

I always thought the 'Phantasm' Cuda was the fairest of them all as a kid and have not changed my mind. 1971 for me..

[@Gerald010773]

Firts picture of a Cuda I ever saw was an orange '70 Cuda with the 440 6 bbl under the shaker hood. The feeling never got old, still lovin' it.

[@patricklilly6628]

Wait till you drive one...

[@chrisgonzalez5883]

The first time i seen one was in one of my favorite movies phantasm. A 71 440 six pack in black. It's one of my dream car.

[@jimkowalski6222]

I prefer the 70 cuda's more "plain muscle" exterior, but it's the 71 cuda that has the more ''beautiful" options... Both are great though...

[@wildestcowboy2668]

71 cuda convertible is rarer I think. I'm mean doesn't everyone u know have a 71 cuda HEMI?

[@andrewashington6462]

MC always fun to watch and listen to..!!😀😀

[@MrJett1971]

Ford and AMC are 1 and 2 in my heart, but I love these Mopars, too. 1968-71 was the peak of American muscle, and I sometimes wish I’d been born a little earlier than ‘71...

[@captaincrunch8333]

Appreciate how these videos bring back what it was that seemed so cool and special about these sporty mid sized cars from the 70's. Of course Cudas look like big cars nowadays, but listening along to the narration and viewing all the options etc allowed my mind to drift back to when I first saw these cars as a teenager. They were by no means a big car at the time. Cool kid at school had a yellow one with the hockey stripe and would make me smile when he did a burnout in the school parking lot.

[@bongodave13]

That man knew how to style a Mopar.

[@bobsilver3983]

This channel is so cool, I always thumbs up during the intro because I know it will always be cool....because American Muscle is always cool and these video's are nearly perfect every time! What I really really really love is completely unrestored, as is survivors...time capsules. I am OBSESSED with unrestored factory paint/interior cars. I like restored Muscle, but I LOVE unrestored Muscle!

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

Right on! Thanks Bob!

[@LS1007]

I like the styling of the ‘71 the best. Thanks for sharing them! 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@HITEKSTRANGER]

Fascinating historical facts. Love the Cudas. Brent had 70 440 6 pak ! The ULTIMATE in MUSCLE CARS

[@timothynewport224]

70! It’s my birth year. Great video. Thanks

[@a.k.a.A.E.1]

one of the best muscle car videos ! all these dreams are perfect. what the best/favorite is ??? 71 ! i love the 4 headlights by the classic american cars !

[@curtspray]

In 1972 I bought a used with 30,000 mile on 1970 ,340 Cuda Slap Stick Automatic in the Vitamin C Orange with black Vinyl top and 340 hockey stick. But sold it when the Arab Oil embargo happened. Biggest mistake in my lifetime.

[@joebacarella2829]

The Brothers Collection, what a treat, I had 2 friends one had an AAR 70, and the other had a 71 all black 340, 4spd, I loved that AAR, I would love either one don`t get me wrong, but for me the single headlights looked wider, and I love the clean fenders, I thought the fender gills were gimicky, but I did love that 71 front grille, these were a dime a dozen when I was a teen, I am 60 now, these were $1,000 to $2,000 all day long, $1,000 nice driver, clean, $2,000 was low mileage and very well taken care of, who knew. There was a 69 Charger or a Cuda every 3 driveways on our block, it was a young neiborhood. I had to settle for a 1970 road runner, 383 air grabber car, $1,100 my buddies would tease me, and called it a boat, no match for those Cudas. We used mine when we went to the Drive In, because I could fit 4 people in the trunk, teehee, I love these videos, oh the memories.

[@Alfred..E..Neuman]

I always did and always will like the plainer '70 Cuda with either the 383 or 440 4-speed...Anyone else??

[@davidkoch1520]

I like the 70 better too. But I would go with 440 or hemi...

[@mikedancona9203]

Its the 71 for me. Which i own now. Sassy grass green Traded a 70 aar tribute and alot of $, but well worth it. Love the grill and the gills. Ine of a kind

[@mynameis9057]

Those storyboard renderings looked insane! I never saw those before and would love to see if they mocked any of these up! The hood scoops and treatments looked incredible! Just imagine some of these designs alive rolling down the road! Whoooooweeeee! Crazy man crazy,otta sight man!!!!

[@larryjohnson1966]

They were both gorgeous cars. I have always had a soft spot for the plum purple paint. And Pistol Grip 4 speed.

[@timmotel5804]

I've always loved the 70 and 71 Cuda. I've never owned one though. I've owned a 1970 440 RT/SE Challenger, a 1972 340 Challenger, a 1968 440 RT Charger and a 1969 440 GTX. Don't know why never a Cuda. Almost bought an AAR Cuda till the deal fell through. Absolutely my favourite car is the 1971 Cuda. Thanks for posting this. Love it.

[@deronborghi5929]

I love them both but my favorite is the 70 . # 1 the higher compression engines and I like the 71 grill but I think the 70 grill looks mean. I'd give up my R/R for that.

[@jimmyhawkins391]

It doesn't matter which one, would love to have one, but know days I can't afford one.

[@loucaruso3971]

I had 70 440 - 6, Auto, Was Tryin To Get 69 Boss 429 M.Stang, Eventually, Traded For 70 GS Stage 1 455,..My Mistake P, Pistol Grip Nice, Slap , Quicker..RT Dash Cosole RT Hood, Shaker Nice Also..

[@justinsanders2705]

Nash Bridges introduced me to the Cuda. I love the 71 front end just mean.

[@Silverick2]

I lived in San Francisco, on The Embarcadero across the street from Pier 32 where Nash Bridges' office was when they were filming the Nash Bridges series... Saw Don Johnson and Cheech Marin driving that '71 'Cuda Convertible a lot! It was cool and never got old! Every time I saw the car coming, I would stop whatever I was doing to watch the car come into then, leave my sight!! There is a restaurant on The Embarcadero at Brannan called The Delancey Street Restaurant that Don and Cheech would frequent and they'd park the car on The Embarcadero by the entrance... There was always a small crowd of people gathered to look at the car!! As a side note, I had friends that worked at The Delancey Street Restaurant who told me that Cheech was cool! Don was an a**hole!!

[@justinsanders2705]

@@Silverick2 That is awesome! I would have loved to have seen them and the Cuda in person. I grew up on that show. Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@glennfalzo3718]

@@justinsanders2705 :I saw 1 of the cudas from Nash Bridges at a Mopar show in Carlisle Pennsylvania. I must have used a whole roll of 35 millimeter film just on that cuda!

[@larryl1427]

Both beautiful cars. I like the looks of the 71 the most.

[@rogerhoward7104]

I owned the most beautiful 1970 Dodge Challenger: Plum Crazy, black vinal top, black interior, four mags, white racing stripes, 383 engine. I was driving down the street and glanced over at "My New Car," fell in love and did a U-Turn back to the dealer. I wish that I wouldn't have traded it in with a worn motor, bad trans and rear end. I loved it's looks BUT, Now I see that the most beautiful car, with My car, is the 1971 CUDA with the shaker hood, "BY FAR" in my opinion; I love the front end. If I would have had the HEMI 427 "I WOULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW!" The Carpenter guy bought a total black, 70 CUDA with a shaker hood, and it's a beautiful car also. These cars were the only car that you could watch your gas gage go down in freeway traffic.

[@CallMeMrX]

That 'SHAKER' font graphics are so cool, and the coloured bumpers were decades ahead of their time.

[@MikeJBlues]

One of each please , great episode

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

We agree... at LEAST one of each! Thanks!

[@chrisgonzalez5883]

@@MuscleCarOfTheWeek can't go wrong with that they are nice dream cars. And one day i will have one a 71 is my dream car.

[@donhathaway3234]

I was never fortunate to ever ride in a ‘cuda, let alone own one but,I’ve always thought that the ‘71 with the auxiliary lights under the bumper was the toughest looking automobile front end ever. A close second would be a ‘70 Super Bee. Back then, we were into street drags on a local little used by-pass. I had a ‘67 Camaro, 327 3-speed stick and was waiting to go when a ‘70 Bee pulled up behind me. I still can feel the hairs in my neck stand up to this day as I looked in my rear view mirror. I was never so thankful to look over and see a Mustang next to me!

[@francfurian8215]

The 71 Cuda is my fave but in all honesty I’d take either. Excellent video Kev! Cheers😊

[@MHB7000]

70 parking lights in the grill. Love at first sight. 1st car was 70 383 4spd. Wrote off by a Honda goldwing :( 2nd car 73. 440 Challenger auto. Cuda has always been my fav

[@Veteran007]

I vote for the 1972 Cuda. Powered by a High Revving 340, Carter 750 duel pumper 4 barrel, 3:23 Dana Rear end with posi trac, and 3 speed Torque Flight Transmission with a slap stick.

[@louiskats5116]

Where the hell is the time machine. I was born in 1970, I know what I want , just let me loose in 1970 & 71. Tough, tough, tough

[@bman99ss]

1970 would be a tough year all the way around for choosing a muscle car. LS6 Chevelle, Stage 1 GS 455, 442 W-30, 455 Ram Air IV Trans Am or GTO, 429 SCJ Torino Cobra, Boss 429 Mustang, 428 Cobra Jet Mach 1 Mustang, ANY 440-6 or Hemi Mopar, etc., etc. My head would literally explode

[@josephcameron530]

Incredible cars - all of them!

[@glennfalzo3718]

I fell in love with the 71' 'cuda when Ronnie Sox debued the 71 for the 71 ProStock season when I was 16. In MY opinion, it was and STILL IS the most BEAUTIFUL muscle car EVER made! I had a 71 340 shaker. I wish I still had it!

[@entropy3604]

For me the 70 Cuda because of the simplicity of the single headlights and the longer looking tail lights.

[@richgall63]

We all know the 70-71’s are the BIG $$ models since they were the last of the hi-compression engines but the truth is, the ‘72 was a better looking model with the round port tail lights while still retaining the leaner chrome bumpers.

[@richgall63]

* and ‘72 also returned to the more classic single headlight configuration! Chrysler should’ve always left the double headlights to the Challenger only...

[@jasonpowell5662]

1970 "CUDA" Hardtop w/the 390hp and 390ft/lb of torque 440-6pak V8 Pistol grip shifter in Vitamin C Orange

[@kenpringle563]

I had a 1974 Barracuda blue with a white vinyl top, 360 v-8 with 4 speed pistol grip shifter. Yes I am a old head who had every engine Chrysler had EXCEPT the Hemi and the slant six.

[@rogerhoward7104]

I look forward each week to your next Car options.

[@marcialreyes4779]

Dam that's a kick ass episode thanks for showing us some great piece of history

[@IntlOilman]

The 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda with Quad Headlights, Gills, Shaker, Deck Spoiler, & Pistol Grip 4 speed is my ultimate piece of American Muscle

[@louislacoste6916]

1970 is my fave year for the grill and the rest But i do have a thing for those Pontiac style fender louvers in 71

[@brianscott4584]

ALL OF THE ABOVE

[@tabbott429]

always liked the quad headlight look on any car. I was born in 71 so that also adds some bias. I also like one year only cars like the 71. I had a 72 gran torino which also had the one year only front end which was beautiful compared to the butchery of the 73 and later years

[@rogerlee3941]

They're both great, but my favorite is the 71 Cuda with the fender gills.

[@dukeman7595]

Lame attempt to copy Corvette Stingray, that is the reason they are higher on the Cuda, otherwise it would have been much to obvious..

[@231mac]

@@dukeman7595 You sure about that subjective speculation? I mean the car IS named a 'Barracuda' and fish DO have gills...

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

Thanks for keeping the videos flowing through tough times..

[@bunk-bn9eo]

I'm a Pontiac guy through and through, but that '71 'Cuda is a damn sexy car.

[@ZeroBoostBuick]

71 But I love the 70 AAR Strobes too.

[@justsumguy2u]

For all-out performance, the '70 was the way to go since compression ratios all across the board were higher. Having said that, I much prefer the '71. Love the 4 headlamp/grill design, the billboard stripes, and the availability of high-impact colors. And even with lower compression, it's not like the 440 Magnum was slow....

[@adamharith8597]

Cool KZbin channel. Tq for sharing this awesome Muscle car videos which is my most favourite looking muscle cars ever 😍😍👍👍. But I prefer the 1971 barracuda with awesome spoilers on it. 👍👍😍😍

[@MirrorMonolith]

No question, the ‘71 hemi hardtop with anthracite grill, gills, vinyl delete and no spoiler. In black. Basically the Phantasm Cuda (if it were a real Hemi). Best looking car ever.

[@rickintexas1584]

From designing Cudas to K cars. How sad. But at least we have the Brothers collection to admire these amazing and wonderful machines.

[@livewire2759]

My choice would be the '71 'cuda in sherwood green with a HEMI under the shaker hood... gotta have the gills and grille with big ol' billboards.

[@LifeatSpeed]

I've owned both, and they are both great cars. But I have to give the win to the 71. The more aggressive styling just takes the cake on this. I will say the one edge for me that 70 has over 71 is the standard seat upholstery. I do like the 70 better than the 71 in that regard. But the 71 leather is probably my favorite seat option of all E-bodies. Great video, thanks.

[@kevinpatrick8788]

my favorite cuda is definately the 70 aar cuda because my late uncle owned one . it was hemi orange with a black vinyl top and i have fond memories of riding in the back when i was a kid in the mid 1970s. i have a buddy who owns a 70 hemi cuda and my best friend has a 71 cuda factory v code . its also hemi orange with black billboards , rear gull wing and 2 fender tags of options . if i had my pick of any year cuda id take the 68 hurst hemi bo29 superstock barracuda .

[@scottpool4777]

The best is what you make of it for me 1968 roadrunner.

[@bongo7166]

anyone else notice the burnout at 2:27....no posi on a hemi car???? that left wheel was just along for the ride....

[@bobsilver3983]

Posi unit must be going bad...its is on my 68 Lemans

[@savedin87ify]

71 Cuda my all time favorite car of all time.

[@NewfieFedora2]

Both are beautiful…. ‘71 for me, I just can’t describe why but I’ve always had appeal for ‘71.

[@TheFokker03]

Omg,Kevin,what a choice.erm..the'70.

[@79tazman]

Man I wish I had the money because I would spend it all on Muscle cars of the 60's and early 70's it's been my dream since I was a kid to own a giant garage with nothing but my favorite muscle cars

[@scooterusa13]

Question- were the 'Gills' on the '71 functional or for looks only ? THANKS in advance for the answer.

[@rogerholloway8498]

Sure wish I would have been smart enough to have kept my 70' Cuda.

[@larryyatsko6966]

Yeah me too. I had a brand new 1970 'Cuda with a 440-6 engine. It was rally red with a black vinyl top, elastomeric bumpers front and rear. It had a 727 torque flite transmission with 3:54 rear gears, positraction rear end. I added a set if Hooker Large Tube Headers, a Mallory Ignition dual point Distributor and took off the 3 carbs 1350cfm carbs in favor of Corvette tri-power Carbs which had 1500 cm. This car was freaking fast and I never lost a race. Still wish I had this car. Like a dummy, I sold it.

[@anridapu]

Larry Yatsko Ohhh man! 😧

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

Wow Larry, you had a hot one! Thanks for sharing!

[@larryyatsko6966]

@@MuscleCarOfTheWeek I forgot to add my 70 'Cuda also had a Shaker Hood. It was painted to match the Rally Red paint, because of the Elastomeric Bumpers front and rear.

[@cindysue5474]

@@larryyatsko6966 The same with my Husband he had a 70 barracuda and 68 he said he was young and dumb back in the 70s what they did to the cars modding them out.He wished he had the 70 383 in his 68 because it was tricked out he liked the 68 better then the 70 but now days he would take any year.

[@Welcometofacsistube]

I actually got to see and touch my dream car at the 2000 mopar nationals. Its the 1of1 winchester grey 1971 hemi cuda convertible 4 speed that was exported to france

[@glennfalzo3718]

I saw at Carlisle Pennsylvania, a 1970 Cuda 340 in the car corral inside with all the high-priced Mopars. I couldn't figure out why it was there until I found out it was one of two heater delete cars exported to Hawaii, then I found out they have the other car that they're restoring. The one at the show was TRAILERED to car shows, the other was being restored to be driven to car shows, how ironic is that!

[@Inspector-71]

I'd be happy with any E body but my favorite is the 71'. Love the 71' from the first Phantasm movie

[@gonerydin4225]

The 340 AAR is my favorite.

[@LaffyWaffy89]

To me in my opinion both are both years are my favorite

[@stephenhensley7004]

Great stuff. Thanks Team Muscle!

[@MuscleCarOfTheWeek]

Our pleasure!!

[@OaksCU1]

I want a 1971 340 'Cuda hard top with a pistol grip and shaker scoop, can't decide on the color, but it has to have Rallye wheels.

[@rixar139]

☘ Irish Honey Badger - I had 1970 CUDA 440-6pac when I was 16 years old.

[@dukeman7595]

I think it was the best body style mopar ever rendered..

[@charlespalavros6952]

Love my 70

[@donschneider3687]

I was a high school senior in 1970, and bought my first new car that year. I was the proud owner of an AAR Cuda (VIN BS23JOB305206. rallye red with red interior, automatic, 3.55 gears) and it made me a dyed in the wool mopar fan forever. I sold it in 1979, and still kicking myself in the ass for having done so. Wish I could get it back, but it seems to have disappeared.

[@Slimjim260]

Love the shakers, so cool!

[@TBullCajunbreadmaker]

Yes, anything MOPAR before 1971 is the way to go. I had two 1970 MOPARS and I wish I would have kept both of them. I actually had a total of 4 MOPARS but the other two were not muscle cars even though they still had muscle under the hoods. Those were the days my friend.

[@Orvz475]

I still choose the 1970 Hemi 'Cudas.

[@randyschultz4549]

Had a 71 and was awesome!!!!!

[@maxredman1015]

The '70 & '71 both look Great! I prefer the '71 with the 4 Headlight Front End.

[@RoadRunnergarage8570]

I'd say i like both equally.. Each year had its unique styling features...

[@carlhohnholt3392]

1971 cuda,aways love that black cuda in Phantasm movie.

[@jimjungle1397]

The 1971 340 four barrel retained the same horsepower rating and came with a larger carb and better intake manifold.

[@jayelbee1111]

That Barracuda SX concept car was nice looking

[@nicholasmaher9175]

The 198 Slant Six is not listed in the 1970 brochure, in the video, or in the actual brochure, which I have . . . I know there was a cheapo Challenger that had the 198 Slant Six (Deputy or not) though was there a 1970 Barracuda with it? It shows up, in the brochure shown for 1971, as the standard engine in the Barracuda Coupe. The power bulge hood, and scoop location, was the same 1970 - 1974. The 440 4bbl went away in 1971, the 440 was 6bbl only.