Basic ?'s

[TRBrandon]

Ok here are some noob ?'s that you guys will think I'm stoopid for asking but I did a search and couldn't find the answers so here goes.

What is the diff. between a Barracuda and a 'Cuda?

What does "V" code mean?

[Carlwalski]

Hello, first of all don't worry about asking "stupid" question mate, none of us grew up knowing.....


'Cuda is the high performance version of the E Body Barracuda line.  They can be spotted by an "S" in the second position of the VIN number.  The VIN number would read  BS23XXXXXXXXX for hardtops and BS27XXXXXXXXX for convertibles. Barracuda was more of the "luxury" line while the 'Cuda was more of the "sporty" side....the luxury could be more expensive then the sporty depending on what options, and thus could be rarer then a 'Cuda... the Barracuda Gran Coupe for example.

Gran Coupes VIN numbers start with BP - P = Premium.
Cuda VIN numbers start with BS23 - S = Special &
Barracuda VIN numbers start with BH23 - H = High.

(All second letters are price class.)


"V" on the fender/build sheet/VIN = 440-6bbl (440-SIXPAK) engine. 440ci engine with 3 x 2bbl Holley carbs.


Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Carl
NZ440R/T

[TRBrandon]

Thanks NZ440R/T! Besides the VIN what are the other differences? Like I think the grills are different right? And I noticed some of the Barracudas have a luggage rack. Also, can there be a 440 Barracuda? Is the 383 considered a "Big Block" or only the 440 and the Hemi?

[Carlwalski]

Thanks NZ440R/T! Besides the VIN what are the other differences? Like I think the grills are different right? And I noticed some of the Barracudas have a luggage rack. Also, can there be a 440 Barracuda? Is the 383 considered a "Big Block" or only the 440 and the Hemi?

No worries mate.  The VIN basically determines all, what the VIN says is what the car is, no ifs or butts.
But!, there are some very rare/mixed up cars out there with options they "shouldn't" have. Mopar are known for slapping together odd ball cars and basically any option could be added for a price. (to a degree).

383 is the smallest Big Block, then the 440-4bbl, 440-6bbl then of course the HEMI.
I think the 383 was the highest optioned engine you could get in a Barracuda though I'm not 100% on that.

Any other questions just ask away mate, if I can't answer them other members will. 

[Cuda Cody]

~Slant 6 / 225 Cubes  =  Barracuda Only
~318 Barracudas 70 and 71 (Cuda's in late years)
~340 4 barrel (360 in '74)   =  Barracuda & Cuda's
~340 Six Pack (AAR's)   =  Cuda's Only  (J Code)
~383 Two Barrel   =  Barracuda's Only  -  ? Could be wrong on this one
~383 Four Barrel High Perfomance  =  Cuda's  (N Code)
~426 HEMI's   =  Cuda's Only  (R Code)
~440 Four Barrel   =  Cuda's Only  ?
~440 SIX Barrel  =  Cuda's Only  (V Code)

VIN will look like this.....

BS23V0B123456

B is Barracude
S is Cuda (H would be Barracuda)
23 is hardtop (27 Conv)
V code is Six Pack
0 is 1970
B is built in Hamtramck
123456 is vehicle number

That is off the top of my head... someone else can jump in and fix my mistakes. 

[moparnut]

Forgot the Gran coups
GC's came with 225,318,383-2,383-4
They were only made in 70@71

[ShelbyDogg]

I thought the Grand Coupe's biggest engine was a 383-2BBL.

[4Cruizn]

Barracuda is the stardard/base model
Cuda is the performance model
Grand Coupe is the luxury model   

[Cuda Cody]

I got a dumb question....

So, the Cuda is the "performance" model to the Barracuda and the R/T is the "perfomance" model to the Challenger... right?  The Grand Coupe is the "luxury" model in the Barracuda line and the SE is the "luxury" model in the Challenger line.... still right?

So, why did they make a Challenger R/T SE and not a Barracuda 'Cuda Grand?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

.... because Challenger's are special.    

[js27]

 
JS27

[ShelbyDogg]

I always thought that the Barracudas/Cudas were the basic performance model and the Challengers were the luxury performance  models.

Rob

[chevyconvert]

~Slant 6 / 225 Cubes  =  Barracuda Only
~318 Barracudas 70 and 71 (Cuda's in late years)
~340 4 barrel (360 in '74)   =  Barracuda & Cuda's
~340 Six Pack (AAR's)   =  Cuda's Only  (J Code)
~383 Two Barrel   =  Barracuda's Only  -  ? Could be wrong on this one
~383 Four Barrel High Perfomance  =  Cuda's  (N Code)
~426 HEMI's   =  Cuda's Only  (R Code)
~440 Four Barrel   =  Cuda's Only  ?
~440 SIX Barrel  =  Cuda's Only  (V Code)

VIN will look like this.....

BS23V0B123456

B is Barracude
S is Cuda (H would be Barracuda)
23 is hardtop (27 Conv)
V code is Six Pack
0 is 1970
B is built in Hamtramck
123456 is vehicle number

That is off the top of my head... someone else can jump in and fix my mistakes. 

440 4 bbl - "U" code...(see I'mm lernin)

[A383Cuda]

Largest available motor in the 71 Gran Coupe was the 383 4 barrel hi performance.

Cudas were available with anything from a 340 on up including the 383.

[Alaskan_TA]

You could get an "upscale" Cuda with some of the Gran Coupe bits - if you ordered a premium interior in a Cuda you got the overhead consolette and leather front seat inserts.

Barry