Help

[Maxine]

I just started working for a company that sell car parts online.  And came across some parts that have " 'Cuda only". Can you please tell me the difference between a Barracuda and a "Cuda?  For instance, they sell a fender for a 1970 Barracuda but it also notes "not 'Cuda".  I've tried researching the difference and I am at a loss.  Can someone please help me - I really need to keep this job!

[426HEMI]

Like on the fenders there are no differences.  Trim is different on cuda's and barracuda's.  Paint trim on cuda's is different on Cuda's and Barracuda's.  Some suspension is different on what is on Cuda's and Barracuda's but can also be the same.  The emblems are different.  Not much else is different that I know of.  Hope this helps

[torredcuda]

Some info-   http://www.allpar.com/model/cuda.html

[426HEMI]

Only thing that some of the info is incorrect on the older barracuda's.  I did not read all of it but I know for a fact that some of it is incorrect.  The Barracuda actually came out in 1963 1/2.  I owned one and it had the fish on the back of it.

[torredcuda]

They were `64 models though

[426HEMI]

The 63 1/2 and 64 were a little different in how they were made also.  I am thinking and remembering that the title was for 63 1/2 and not a 64 I know it has been 30 years or more since I had it though.

[Maxine]

Thanks for all your advice.  But I'm still confused.  We sell 2 different fenders for the same year:
1971 Front Fender - Barracuda (except Cuda)
1971 Front Fender - Barracuda Cuda

And also coming out with a Shaker Hood for the 1970-71 Cuda Only.  My problem is that I alway thought the "Cuda" was another name for a Barracuda.  Back quite a few years ago, I bought a Firebird Trans AM, but there was also a Firebird Formula - same car but the Trans Am was "enhanced" (V8, rear spoiler, etc.). Right now the only difference I can see between the Cuda and the Barracuda are the fenders - one has gills, the other does not.  Is that all there is between the two?

[72hemi]

71 did have a fender difference. the cuda fender in 71 had 4 gills at the back of the fender (above the body line behind the wheel well), while the barracuda and gran coupe did not have gills. The barracuda, gran coupe and cuda are just option packages. The cuda model is the performance model, usually had upgraded suspension, flashier trim, bigger horsepower engines, etc. The gran coupe was the more luxurious model with things like leather seats and overhead console. The barracuda was the base model. should be noted that you can order some options across the board like the leather interior could be ordered on a cuda model.

[426HEMI]

71 was the only year that cuda's and barracuda's had 4 head lights also.

[hotrod98]

Thanks for all your advice.  But I'm still confused.  We sell 2 different fenders for the same year:
1971 Front Fender - Barracuda (except Cuda)
1971 Front Fender - Barracuda Cuda

And also coming out with a Shaker Hood for the 1970-71 Cuda Only.  My problem is that I alway thought the "Cuda" was another name for a Barracuda.  Back quite a few years ago, I bought a Firebird Trans AM, but there was also a Firebird Formula - same car but the Trans Am was "enhanced" (V8, rear spoiler, etc.). Right now the only difference I can see between the Cuda and the Barracuda are the fenders - one has gills, the other does not.  Is that all there is between the two?

The "cuda" is the performance version of the Barracuda. There were a few differences in appearance such as the badging. The biggest difference is in the engine availability. In 70 and 71, the Barracuda and Gran Coupes were available with the six cylinder, 318 and 383. The Cuda was available with the 340 (340-6 on the 70 AAR's), 383, 440, 440-6 and the hemi. Appearance wise, the cudas had the color keyed grilles with certain colors and the blacked out tail panel. The 70 Cuda had gilled rocker moldings and the 71's had the gilled fenders. Other than in California, the rear exhaust was dual-through the valance. The Cuda bulge hood was standard on the Cuda and available on Barracudas and Gran Coupes. The Shaker hood was standard on hemi Cudas.
Many items attributed as standard on Cudas were actually options and many of these could be ordered on Barracudas, Gran Coupes and 70 AAR's. It's actually a little complicated.

[Bullitt-]

Shop your competitors that sell the same line.

[Maxine]

Okay, thanks, now I've got it!
Hotrod98, that makes perfect sense, and now I understand about the hood too!  I can't you all enough! Of course, now if everyone who manufactures these parts would only agree to call the same part one name - I'd be one happy little camper!