74's Get No Respect

[quapman]

I'm kicking tires on a 74 cuda (might be a Barracuda-haven't actually seen it yet) semi-locally. It's a matching #'s 360 auto that needs quarters and floors, but engine compartment is nice and frame rails are solid.

I'm pretty excited about seeing and/or buying the car, but how come so many people give the 74's such a bad rap?

"It's just a 74, eew."   "Oh, it's got a 360? Not a 340 or a big block? Not interested."

What's the deal?

Production figures:
Total 74 BS23 - 4989
Total 74 BH23 - 6745
BS23L4B - 1191
BH23L4B - 125

[IMNCARN82]

70-71's are bandwagon cars.

[06Daytona]

I know what you mean. My 72 gets the same treatment a lot of the time. I was parked next to a guy with a beat up primer gray 6 cylinder auto with one wheel squeal deal 71 with a flat hood and he treated my 318 close ratio 4 speed with 355 2 wheel squeal deal that can chirp the tires shifting into fourth like it was a piece of junk. Granted the car isn't the prettiest right now with its mostly sublime but partly black paint job with spray bombed billboards, but it's still a pretty quick car, it sounds good and it's mine. I bought it as a project but it's just been too much fun to drive. I told him I was building a 340 six barrel and cloning the car into a 71 and he asked me why I would waste my money on a 72.

[Road_Runner]

It's interesting, I'd agree with you that later years especially 73's & 74's are seen as lesser cars from a lot of people within the hobby, but based on the reaction I've gotten every time I take my 73 Barracuda out in public all the people asking about & complimenting my car must not be 'smart enough' to realize "It's only a 73".  So I think we're talking about the collector mentality here more than whether a particular year is really a desirable car or not.

Later, Jim

[Katfish]

I told him I was building a 340 six barrel and cloning the car into a 71 and he asked me why I would waste my money on a 72.

Why clone it into a 71?

[dodj]

To me the 72-74 'Barracudas are more appealing than the '70, but not the '71. I think most peoples opinions of a car are directly tied to the available factory horsepower for that year.
The '74 seat belt interlock is annoying though...

[4Cruizn]

I respect it!   

[06Daytona]

Why clone it into a 71?

One reason is that I've always liked the look of the 71, the other reason is that I found a guy down here that has a set of brand new, still in the box 71 quarters along with the tail panel and shaker hood. All those things need to be replaced on my 72 so instead of paying shipping to get them here I'm going to get them off him for slightly less than through year one. I was given a 71 grille that needs a little work last year, and found a set of 71 brake lights for 50 bucks here. I know a guy down here that has a set of gilled fenders that need very little work that I'm trying to convince him to sell me.

[360 'CUDA]

I get mobbed when I take my '74 out!! Everybody asks me if it's a '69..

[jimynick]

Hey Steve, I've got a 74 as well and I write it off as a type of penis envy, you know, the "I've got a cooler car than you do" guys. The really cool guys with the 71's won't rub it in your face as they know we're all doing the best we can, with what we've got. I'm not married to Angelina Jolie either, but the one I've got-she's a honey for the money! Enjoy! 

[challengermaniac]

My Numbers matching 74 Rallye Challenger in B5 Blue won a lot of awards at some pretty high end local Mopar shows, but in the end it all comes down to what a person is truly passionate about.  And after owning 73, 74 & a 70 clone Challenger, I just had to have a real 70 TA.  There just is no substitute for the real thing. 

[tommyg29]

Hey Steve, I've got a 74 as well and I write it off as a type of penis envy, you know, the "I've got a cooler car than you do" guys. The really cool guys with the 71's won't rub it in your face as they know we're all doing the best we can, with what we've got. I'm not married to Angelina Jolie either, but the one I've got-she's a honey for the money! Enjoy! 

he he
Angeline Jolie!?
She is probably a royal PITA to live with!
I'd trade her for a hemi cuda any day.
And as for the 74's the only thing I dont like about them are the bumperette thingys.

But thats easy to fix. 

[shadango]

If you look at the cars from 70-71 and 72-74, the only really noticeable difference is the tail-lights.

yeah, grills changes...marker lights change.

But IMHO those things are subjective,...which do you like better  (I prefer the round tailights on my 72 fish)

And of course, engine choices change...But that last one only matters if you want a "pure" car -- ie all original and are willing to pay extra for the "collectability" of the 70-71 with a big block or hemi.

You can take a 72-74 ebody 6 cylinder car and put whatever you want into it.....or take a stock 318 and massage it into something more, or swap in a big block.  And have extra money left over because the 72-74s arent getting the "coolectable" prices yet.

For those of us who really that they are essentially all the same cars (or at least CAN be), its a bargain.

[Challenger III]

Take any year E-Body out for a spin and watch all the heads turn! 

[shadango]

Take any year E-Body out for a spin and watch all the heads turn! 

   Damn straight!