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In the early 1960s, the muscle car period intensified for all American automakers before ending in the early 1970s. No amount of force can overcome the law, as the movement to switch to unleaded gasoline and America’s gradual awakening to the fact that all this pollution isn’t good for the environment shows. However, before it was all over, some incredible vehicles were produced with some of the biggest engines ever made, and Plymouth made some of the best of them.
Chrysler discontinued the Plymouth in 2000, though most of its best vehicles were produced before then. The 1970 E-Body Barracuda, as most auto enthusiasts will recall, offered drivers several engine options, ranging from a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 335 horsepower to a 426 Hemi V8 with 425 horsepower. The ’68 Roadrunner, the ’67 GTX with the 426 Hemi, and even the ’68 Barracuda A-body, which carried the Barracuda moniker to the forefront of the muscle car era, were popular cars produced by Plymouth during this time.
However, many Plymouth vehicles were overlooked, as most drivers thought the “stars” of the show were better than they were. However, similar to the previous slashgear piece on Pontiac muscle cars This collection of often overlooked Plymouth muscle vehicles will shock you. Continue reading to find out just how much power the base Plymouth has.
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1964 Plymouth Barracuda
People may forget that the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda was an incredible vehicle because most of the vehicle’s fame came from subsequent models released in the 1960s. The top-of-the-line ’64 Barracuda had a 273 cubic inch V8 engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission, and the vehicle was built on a Plymouth Valiant chassis.
The rear window and fastback styling of the 1964 Barracuda really set it apart. It was futuristic in appearance with a hint of science fiction, but also featured a style that was an homage to earlier American automobile design. The interior of the dash was straightforward, with a large speedometer in addition to three more gauges for temperature, gasoline, and ammeter (which measures current). That came standard with bucket seats up front and a bench-like seat in the back, which you could fold down to access the trunk from inside the car.
1965 Plymouth Valiant
Although the 1965 Plymouth Valiant was designed to appeal to a wide range of drivers, it was actually an economy vehicle with the right upgrades that could still deliver strong performance. The hard top was available as a two- or four-door sedan, a convertible or even a station wagon. As it was cheaper than other convertibles available at the time, its convertibles in particular were well-liked.
The Valiant came with a variety of engine options, many of which were straight-sixes. However, a 273 cubic inch V8 engine with 235 horsepower was also available. Not bad for a low cost vehicle! As an option, you can purchase front bucket seats, or you can choose front and rear bench seats to accommodate six people. Although the Valiant was never considered a peak muscle car, it was more reasonably priced and offered more horsepower as an option.
1971 Plymouth Duster
Although it was eclipsed by some of the best muscle cars, one lesser-known Plymouth model had something to be proud of. The 1971 Duster featured rugged looks, elegant lines, and a powerful 340 cubic inch V8 engine that produced close to 300 horsepower. It was more affordable than other premium models, which helped it sell successfully; But, because of its reputation as a mini-muscle vehicle, it is often overlooked.
Unbelievably, several color options were available to give this particular Duster model a unique look. There were eighteen different trim options with catchy names, such as the Gold Duster or Duster Twister with gold accents in the design, which gave the impression that the vehicle was upscale models but didn’t offer the same horsepower.
The Duster model was only produced from 1970 to 1976, but like many muscle cars of the era, its “mini muscle car” power was reduced after 1972 when the auto industry switched entirely to unleaded gasoline and new pollution regulations came into effect. The results notwithstanding, this is still a reasonably priced Plymouth offering with more power than most daily drivers.
1971 Plymouth GTX
Although taste is subjective, the 1971 Plymouth GTX is undeniably one of the most understated muscle cars available. Now that we’ve cleared that up, it was undoubtedly one of the most powerful automobiles available at the time. Although there were several optional engine options, the 370 horsepower, 440 cubic inch V8 was the only one that could provide its maximum power. It had an impressive-looking front grille and, larger wheels and tires (at least until then), to protect the flared wheel wells.
While it had the looks and performance you’d expect from a muscle car, it wasn’t perfect. First, its suspension is remarkably stiff for its class, making it difficult to break or tow to the sides, and making drivers fight the steering wheel on harder stops. That said, it was a 4,000-pound car, and it’s not easy to get all that weight to come to a quick halt.
1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda
There’s a compelling explanation for why the Plymouth AAR Cuda was only produced for one year. The Plymouth wanted to test itself against the other high-performance vehicles of the day on the racetrack. More than 2,000 automobile models must be in common circulation to be eligible to compete in the SCCA Trans Am Series. In its one year of existence, Plymouth sold 2,724 AAR Cudas and raced the business.
The AAR Cuda came with several engine options, but surprisingly, the racing version was not the most impressive configuration. With a 305-inch V8 engine producing 440 horsepower, the racing version should be more efficient still. The Premier Package includes the legendary 455 horsepower 426 Hemi V8 engine.It featured unique graphics that the manufacturer referred to as “strobe-stripes” that ran down the side of the body and was available in a variety of eye-catching colors at the time. The AAR Cuda was available with a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission.
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