Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?

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    Author Topic: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?  (Read 24902 times)

    Offline tommyg29

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    Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « on: May 03, 2009 - 11:05:18 PM »
    Not to mention the only year with the gills. I'm sure this is common knowledge but I can only assume it was some sort of internal Dodge/Plymouth thing. They certainly give the 71 more of the rarity factor within the Cuda line. I think the gills looked great, but the Challenger seemed to have a lot more cosmetic bells and whistles available.
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    Offline DAYTONA

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #1 on: May 03, 2009 - 11:19:06 PM »
    ...back in the day, when they were new, we hated the 71......the 70 Cuda is so clean and the 71 looked like they hung everything in the store on the car
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    Offline bb71challenger

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #2 on: May 03, 2009 - 11:22:52 PM »
    The very thing that made the 71 unpopular back then is what makes them popular today. I dont know why they decided to go quad lights but evidently they got over it because they went back to the dual headlights in 72. I would never turn a 71 'Cuda away but the 70 is and probably always will be my favorite 'Cuda. Like stated above, just a pure, sleek, uncluttered design.
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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #3 on: May 03, 2009 - 11:24:37 PM »
    The quad healights were a silly attempt to make the car more attractive - like the Challenger.

    It did not work.  :roflsmiley:
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    Offline LAA66

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #4 on: May 03, 2009 - 11:31:37 PM »
     71 Cuda's are the kind. Almost as bad aszz a 70 Challenger.  :bigsmile:

     Next  :dogpile:
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    Offline HP2

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #5 on: May 04, 2009 - 11:48:37 AM »
    Quote from: tommyg29 on May 03, 2009 - 11:05:18 PM
    the Challenger seemed to have a lot more cosmetic bells and whistles available.

    This is because Dodge was sold and marketed as being upscale from Plymouth. Items that were optional on many Plymouths were standard on equivilent Dodge models.

    This is also why the large character line down the side of the Challenger is not replicated on Cudas. It was put there as an upscale embelishment over the plainer sided Plymouth that had a simple, straight crease.
    « Last Edit: May 04, 2009 - 11:50:12 AM by HP2 »
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    Offline 426HEMI

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #6 on: May 04, 2009 - 11:55:32 AM »
    The 4 head light system is why I never cared for the 71 and the small tail lights that were like the 70.  I love the 70 style the most and then the 72 then 73 and 74.  The 70 Cuda will always stand out to me the most over all others.
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    Offline the_engineers

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #7 on: May 04, 2009 - 12:02:03 PM »
    Quote from: 426HEMI on May 04, 2009 - 11:55:32 AM
    The 4 head light system is why I never cared for the 71 and the small tail lights that were like the 70.  I love the 70 style the most and then the 72 then 73 and 74.  The 70 Cuda will always stand out to me the most over all others.
    Fortunately for those of us who have them, that unique look has created quite a following.  People may or may not know Mopar very well, but between Nash Bridges and Barrett-Jackson, the general public has put the '71 on a pedastal.
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    Brooks

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    Offline 426HEMI

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #8 on: May 04, 2009 - 12:05:29 PM »
    Yea Nash Bridges took several 70's and converted them to 71 for his show.  I still like and always will like the 70 the best.
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    Offline dutch

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #9 on: May 04, 2009 - 01:01:42 PM »
    the challengers were so slow compared to the cuda, so they decided to add some weight in 71 so chally`s would have a chance....  :poopoke:  :biggrin:
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    Offline bb71challenger

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #10 on: May 04, 2009 - 01:56:24 PM »
    I dont think Nash Bridges had a whole lot to do with the popularity or even Barrett-Jackson. Their popularity was already written in stone. I like them, dont get me wrong, its just that imo they cluttered up what was already a beautiful design. Their rarity and uniqueness has secured  the top spot in the E-body world.
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    Offline 71chally416

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #11 on: May 04, 2009 - 02:00:46 PM »
    It was an attempt by Chrysler to try to make the Cuda as popular as the Challenger was in 1970. It didn't help in sales, so they reverted back to the single headlights of the '70 model in '72.
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    Offline R71CUDA

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #12 on: May 04, 2009 - 02:04:12 PM »
    If I recall, wasn't the 71 also the lowest production year due to the public reaction to the 71’s new accoutrements?
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    Offline cudagirl4406pk

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #13 on: May 04, 2009 - 02:23:57 PM »
    Quote from: the_engineers on May 04, 2009 - 12:02:03 PM
    Fortunately for those of us who have them, that unique look has created quite a following.  People may or may not know Mopar very well, but between Nash Bridges and Barrett-Jackson, the general public has put the '71 on a pedastal.


    well said

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    Offline barracuda7199

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    Re: Why does the 71 Cuda have 4 headlights?
    « Reply #14 on: May 04, 2009 - 03:16:50 PM »
    don't know why the did it but i am glad they did! i like 70 too. but something about that cheese grater grille!  :wow: glad i have a 71 but i would have taken a 70 as well.
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    Brandon

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