Will the Dodge Barracuda ever be made? Dodge is rumored to be bringing back one of the most iconic muscle cars ever made – the Barracuda. The real question everyone has to ask, is whether or not a modern Barracuda would even make sense? I think it does.
When I was growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, the Plymouth automotive brand was as well known as any other American car. Plymouth was a division of Chrysler, and it was intended to provide lower-end buyers with affordable transportation. As it turns out, the division was established at the ideal time. Plymouth started churning out cars in 1928, and in 1929 the stock market crashed. This led to the Great Depression, a period when would-be car buyers were strapped for cash.
The higher-priced Chrysler was out of reach for most, but the Plymouth was an alternative, and many observers feel as though the division kept Chrysler alive during those difficult times. Plymouth stayed around for the rest of the twentieth century, but the division went out of business in 2001.
One very historic Plymouth that has always been sought-after by collectors of classic cars from the heyday of the American muscle car era is the Plymouth Barracuda. The first Barracuda was released in 1964, and it is considered to be a pony car. Many people think that the Ford Mustang was the first pony car, but Plymouth introduced the Barracuda on April 1st of 1964, two weeks before the release of the Mustang.
During that initial 1964 model year, the only body style available was the two-door fastback coupe. There were three different engine options offered, and the most powerful one was a brand new Chrysler innovation, the 180-horsepower, 273 cubic inch LA V8. The package came with a two-barrel carburetor, and the odd push-button control of the Torqueflite automatic transmission was an available option.
The 1967 model. The car morphed in to shape that many car enthusiasts are more familiar with, as it has a more masculine yet somewhat sleek look. Gone was the rounded back window as was replaced with a more standard looking rear window.
Fast forward to 1970—the 70′ Plymouth Barracuda was one of the most potent and iconic cars of the first muscle car revolution because of the expansive engine options and incredible ’70s styling.
Rumors supporting the production of the new Dodge Barracuda have been ongoing for the last 10+ years. The new Barracuda was expected to go back into production in 2020. It is now 2022 and still we have no Barracuda. If and when Dodge decides to green light the production, what will it replace? There are reports that the Barracuda might replace the challenger or the viper, some predict that the Dodge Barracuda will be a limited edition car. This car will stand on its own, have a higher cost, and perhaps will increase if there is a fixed number of units.
I think the first iteration of the Barracuda should be made to resemble the famed 1970 version. That would mean one headlight on each side and slotted tail lights. It would be wise to go full retro on this vehicle and have sales go through the roof. Shaker hoods should be available to complete the retro look. If they do bring it back, I personally think it will be convertible-only and give Dodge the drop-top it needs to complement the Challenger.
Nobody really knows what’s going on. The new Dodge Barracuda is a great mystery with a ton of speculation surrounding it, but nothing concrete from the only source that matters, Dodge itself. I am a huge fan of classic American muscle cars, and the Barracuda is legendary. Cars like the Mustang, the Camaro, the Charger, and the Challenger have already made a huge impact, and the Barracuda will certainly add some panache to the mix.
Related: The Legendary ‘Cuda Muscle Car Comeback
Photos: Motortrend
