Muscle Car Specifications
Though changes to the Barracuda were few after the previous year’s overhaul, the redesigned front end gave the 1971 a very distinctive and somewhat aggressive look. While the Challenger would use the four-headlight setup for the entire four years of its first-generation, both the four-headlight setup and the “barracuda” grille would be eliminated from the Barracuda by 1972. Another unique feature to 1971 models that carried on this fish look were inset simulated chrome louvers that were meant to look like gills.
1971 also was the last year so many engine options would be offered in the Barracuda, as new government regulations the following year would require horsepower to be expressed as net instead of gross, and the largest engine available for the Barracuda was a 340 CID V8. In 1971, however, Barracuda buyers could choose from just about every engine Plymouth produced, just as they had been able to the year before.
In the aforementioned new base model coupe, a 198 CID slant six-cylinder was the base engine and produced 125 horsepower. Base in the regular Barracuda Hardtop was a 225 CID slant six producing 145 horsepower. The luxury model Gran Coupe came standard with a 318 CID V8 that produced 230 horsepower, while the sportier Cuda line came with a standard 383 4-barrel V8 producing 300 horsepower. From there, drivers could upgrade to the 426 Street-Hemi V8 that produced 425 horsepower.
After a spike in total production for the restyled 1970 models, sales plummeted in 1971. Total production was only 18,690, a decline of 66.32 percent from the year before. This is despite the fact that the base price for most models either held steady or dropped.
Coupe, Hardtop and Convertible
Since the Coupe was just a stripped down hardtop model, their production numbers are grouped together. While these were the best selling models of the 1971 Barracudas, their production was only at 9,459. The Coupe had a base price of $2,654, while the Hardtop started at $2,766. The convertible began at $3,023 and had a production run of 1,014.
Gran Coupe Hardtop
Unlike the previous year, a convertible model of the Gran Coupe was not available, likely due to poor sales in 1970. The Gran Coupe suffered the highest decrease in production, with numbers falling over 80 percent to 1,615. The base price for a Gran Coupe in 1971 was $3,029.
Cuda Hardtop and Convertible
The powerful and sporty Barracuda model had a production run of 6,228 during 1971, while 374 convertibles were produced. The base price for a hardtop Cuda was $3,155, while the convertible started at $3,412.
Pony Car Competition
With the exception of a slight increase by the Pontiac Firebird, sales of all pony cars were down during the 1971 model year. It appeared that by that point, many car-buyers interested in power were looking toward muscle cars, even as every model pony car continued to add more power options. The trend of adding more powerful options, however, would stop after 1971 to comply with government regulations. Additionally, rising insurance rates and the upcoming fuel crises would continue to dampen pony car sales. By 1975, most pony cars would be discontinued, while the Mustang was remade into a compact car. At that point, only the Camaro and Firebird would still be able to be called pony cars.
For Sale
Image Gallery
Engine Specifications
| Type | Size | Carb | Horse Power | Tourqe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base Slant Six | 198ci | 1x1bbl | 125 hp @ 4000 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| Optional Slant Six | 225ci | 1x1bbl | 145 hp @ 4000 rpm | 215 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm |
| Base V8 | 318ci | 1x2bbl | 230 hp @ 4400 rpm | 320 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
| 340 | 340ci | 1x4bbl | 275 hp @ 5000 rpm | 340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
| 383 | 383ci | 1x4bbl | 300 hp @ 4800 rpm | 410 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm |
| 383 | 383ci | 1x2bbl | 275 hp @ 4400 rpm | 375 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm |
| 426 Hemi | 426ci | 2x4bbl | 425 hp @ 5000 rpm | 490 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| 440 Six Pack | 440ci | 3x2bbl | 385 hp @ 4700 rpm | 490 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm |
Performance Statistics
| Model | 0 to 60 mph | Quarter Mile | Engine | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 Plymouth Cuda 440 Six Pack | n/a | 13.7 sec @ 106.0 mph | 440ci/390hp | SS |
| 1971 Plymouth Cuda 340 | 6.4 sec | 14.2 sec @ 100.3 mph | 340ci/275hp | Hot Rod |