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1/25 scale 1970 Plymouth Barracuda --- A.K.A. The 'Cuda
Another year has gone by and it is time to release our new 1/25 scale diecast metal replica muscle car to our ever growing product line. This year we are pleased to announce the release of our new 1/25 scale 1970 Plymouth Barracuda!
Plymouth debuted the Barracuda on April 1, 1964 and posted sales of 23,443 units in the four months the 1964 model was produced. The first generation Barracuda was a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant. The Barracuda had a distinct wraparound back glass design, which possessed the largest single piece of window glass ever installed in a passenger car. This first generation designed also included a distinctive front end with large circular parking lights placed deep in the grille of the screens, single headlights and a thin bar front bumper. Around the back was just the faintest trace of a tailfin with wide vertical taillights atop round reverse lights. The instrument panel was simplistic in style and execution. The interior was plush with door-to-door carpeting and padded bucket seats. The unique feature for the Barracuda’s interior was its ability to fold down the rear seat, which fit flush with the floor behind it creating 23.7 square feet of usable storage space.
Over the next few years, Plymouth’s designers and engineers were able to survey the field and found the market required more than just on body style. The second generation Barracuda still possessed the Valiant A-body design, but was now available in fastback, notchback and convertible versions and went under a major redesign. These 1967 second generation Barracuda models were introduced on November 25, 1966. The inspiration of the second generation design can be traced back to European sports and grand touring cars with design cues including the chrome hood louvers to the fog lamp-style parking lights mounted in the grille. The Barracuda’s sheet metal incorporated a large, flat hood that rolled to the fenders, with the line dropping off to rounded flanks. The Barracuda’s split grille design was carried over into the 1967 second generation models, with the grilles set into the openings and the parking lights inset into the grilles. Block letters to spell out ‘PLYMOUTH’ were added to the front header and a thin line front bumper was included again. The interior of the Barracuda also saw some European influence with the re-design of the instrument panel. The standard bucket seats were now only standard in the convertible, while in the closed models they were replaced with a bench seat with center armrest. The fold down rear seat was still a standard in the fastbacks. The second generation models also underwent an engine overhaul with more options being available for larger engines. For the most part the new Barracuda received good press and showed improved sales over the 1966 model. And we can’t forget about the Hemi Barracuda that was introduced in 1968 with the popularity of drag racing at that time.
Development of the third and final generation of the Barracuda began in February 1967 in Chrysler’s Advanced Styling Studios. With the shift in emphasis from sporty to muscle, there was considerable pressure from top management to get the new platform right. The all-new model was built on a shorter, wider version of Chrysler’s existing B platform, called the E-body. The original fastback design was eliminated from the new line and the Barracuda now consisted of the coupe and convertible models. The high-performance models were marketed as ‘Cuda based on the new trim style that was used on the 1969 models. During the development, engineers knew this new E-body must contain an engine compartment large enough to accept engines up to 440ci along with air conditioning, power steering, power brakes and other accessories. Standard Barracudas came with a flat hood, while those ‘Cudas with Hemi engines came with a functional shaker scoop, so named because it attached directly to the engine and poked up through a hole in the hood and thus “shaked” whenever the engine did.
The 1970 ‘Cuda was standard with bucket seats and now had wood-grain appliqué among its console. The exterior design had a deeply inset painted grille, flanked with single headlights, and the parking and turn signal lights were recessed into the grille beneath the hatch-type hood. There was also a wide air inlet with round fog lights. The rectangular taillights were cut out of the blackened-out rear panel and the key lock was offset to the right-hand side of the panel because the design of the deck lid did not permit a lock to be located on the centerline. There was a “hockey stick” side stripe decal that called out engine size --- except with the 426 which read HEMI --- that was optional on the body side.
The third generation ‘Cuda when through some more changes on the 1971 model including a front grille re-design to include the commonly known “cheese-grater” grille, which now had four headlights. The taillight panel was also changed to now use separate housings for brake, turn signal and back-up lights. Then in 1972 the Barracuda reverted back to single headlights again and the taillight panel was once again changed to incorporate four round taillights. The interior bucket seats were also re-designed and now available in five colors and only in vinyl. Front and rear bumper guards were added to the 1973 models and there were no other body style changes made to the 1974 models, which was the last model produced of the Barracuda. Barracuda production ended April 1, 1974, ten years to the day after it had begun.
This outstanding 1/25 scale 1970 Plymouth Barracuda diecast metal replica features opening doors with fully detailed interior; poseable front wheels; opening shaker hood with authentic 426 HEMI engine detail including radiator & fan, battery, washer tank, wiper motor, brake master, oil filter & tray, water plate, generator, and shaker hood scoop; opening trunk with spare tire & spoiler; detailed chassis and undercarriage including rear axle & springs, drive train, dual exhaust system, tie rods, and transmission detail. In all this amazing replica is made up of nearly 100 component parts and measures 7.25” long, by 3.25” wide, by 2” high!
We trust that you will enjoy this addition to our 1/25 scale muscle car series and that it finds its way into your collection soon!! We look forward to hearing from you!
Last Updated - 1/26/2012 4:39 PM
