After Chrysler saw what Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge was able to achieve in Chicago (see story above), they decided to produce their own factory built super cars for 1969. Inspired by Mr. Norm’s big block GSS, Plymouth began producing the little Barracuda outfitted with a 440 Commando big block. They called it a ‘Cuda. Today Show Your Auto.com, a Chicago area broker, is offering a 1969 Plymouth Cuda for sale with the 440 Commando motor, one of 360 produced, all 727 Torqueflite automatics to give them an advantage off the line.
This car has been SOLD.
When this car was restored they found the”Special Car Order” document under the carpet dated 1/9/69 at the top; the plant approval signature at the bottom dated 1/16. This ‘Cuda is listed as “Order no. 1”, selling to Johnson Chrysler/Plymouth of New Bern, NC. In the strictest sense, this is the first Plymouth ‘Cuda ever ordered. It comes with the 375 horsepower 440, 4-barrel carburetor and heavy duty suspension. Show Your Auto.com says it is a documented 5-owner, 29,195-mile car that still has her numbers matching drivetrain. All body VIN stamps are also present and accounted for, according to the ad.
I have a 1969 ‘cuda packaged Barracuda 340 4 speed car. I wonder how early on mine was made compaired to the first one pictured here.