Cuda 340 vs. Challenger 340 - price difference

[MopSquad]

I love both Challengers and Cudas equally and I am in the process of buying one or the other in a 340 vert.  I know Cuda convertible production numbers are lower than Challengers.  Is there a price conversion factor that would alert me as to the difference.  I know of similarly equipped 1970 340 cars with the Cuda priced 16K more than the Challenger.  Does this sound right? (49K vs 65K) Both non-original drivetrains. Just want to be educated on price differences.

[ragtopdodge]

Hierarchy:

#1: 71 340 'Cuda
#2: 70 340 'Cuda
#3: 70 340 Challenger
#4: 71 340 Challenger


as far as prices high to low.  #1 being the highest.

[anlauto]

Interesting question...If you're referring to 1970 I would say the numbers you mentioned are pretty accurate....
For 1971 ALL RULES GO OUT THE WINDOW....

Check this car out.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Challenger-Convertible-/162014513366?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25b8d148d6:g:otYAAOSwu1VW8Kv6&item=162014513366

If this was the exact same optioned 1971 Cuda...the price would be at the very least DOUBLE

[MopSquad]

Thanks for the comparison!  That Challenger is pretty nice!  So I guess there is no real formula to convert Challenger price to Cuda price?

[dfrazz]

IMO all things equal for '70 Cuda's are valued $15-20k more than Challengers, but there is no exact formula.  As mentioned above '71 is off the chart for Cudas.  '72-74 Cuda's are closer in value to Challengers, but still $5-8k more in value.

[1 Wild R/T]

And yet there are plenty of us who have no use for a 71 Cuda other than we'd love to have one to sell....  A 70 is *****in... A 71 is gaudy with all the gimicky crap tacked on... 

[JH27N0B]

And yet there are plenty of us who have no use for a 71 Cuda other than we'd love to have one to sell....  A 70 is *****in... A 71 is gaudy with all the gimicky crap tacked on... 

I always thought a '71 cuda looked like a '70 that someone bought and then went to JC Whitney and bought some hokey trim items there to stick on it! 
I still have no idea why '71 Challengers don't get more loving.  70 and 71 Challengers aren't that much different looking, and of the differences both have pluses and minuses.  But then the '71's have much lower production so that alone would make them more in demand I would have thought.

[rUNCHARGER]

I think the 70 Challenger and 70 Cuda are the purest of the breed. I have never liked all the stuff they glued on to the 71 Cuda but lots of people love them so it's all good. The 71 Challenger was still a good looking car.

Sheldon

[JoeGrapes]

Other than engine options there really is no reason why any year e-body should be superior to any other year. It's all a personal style choice. Myself, I've always liked the looks of the Barracudas over the Challengers. I also think the front grill of the 71 was the worst. I just don't think the car fits 4 head lights. I think the 72-74 grills were the best but I like the 71 tail lights the best.

[AARuFAST]

Interesting question...If you're referring to 1970 I would say the numbers you mentioned are pretty accurate....
For 1971 ALL RULES GO OUT THE WINDOW....

Check this car out.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Challenger-Convertible-/162014513366?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25b8d148d6:g:otYAAOSwu1VW8Kv6&item=162014513366

If this was the exact same optioned 1971 Cuda...the price would be at the very least DOUBLE

I know this Challenger conv.  Previous owner sold it to keep his girl happy and get married. YEP keep woman happy.
Car was a rust bucket. Has issues. Present owner had it since 2006 -7.  He corrected the problems.

[MopSquad]

Interesting comments.  I have been a '70 Cuda lover since the first time I ever saw one.  In a dealership while we picked up the new family car - a purple '70 Duster.  Now back to the price difference,  seems you guys a have confirmed that the 340 cars, all else equal, are about a 30% difference, favouring the Cuda.

[Chryco Psycho]

And yet there are plenty of us who have no use for a 71 Cuda other than we'd love to have one to sell....  A 70 is *****in... A 71 is gaudy with all the gimicky crap tacked on... 

 

[dfrazz]

Interesting comments.  I have been a '70 Cuda lover since the first time I ever saw one.  In a dealership while we picked up the new family car - a purple '70 Duster.  Now back to the price difference,  seems you guys a have confirmed that the 340 cars, all else equal, are about a 30% difference, favouring the Cuda.

If your intentions are not to flip the car for a profit, then go for the model and year you like the best. I guarantee in the end some people with also like it and some will not, but who cares its your car.

[HP2]

And yet there are plenty of us who have no use for a 71 Cuda other than we'd love to have one to sell....  A 70 is *****in... A 71 is gaudy with all the gimicky crap tacked on.

Original sales numbers confirm that as well. I believe it is only its rarity and resulting value over time that has led many to overlook its gaudiness and find it more desireable.

Overall, Barracuda/Cuda production figures were less than Challenger every year the two were made side by side, so they were less popular in the day, contributing to their relative rarity and increasing value now.

Of course, one could say that Cuda popularity now is simply Camaro envy.