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Plymouth Cars

Classic · 13 models

Plymouth

The Cuda. The Road Runner. The Superbird. Plymouth was Mopar performance arm in the 1970s before disappearing in 2001.

Classic

Plymouth was Chrysler value brand from 1928 through 2001 and the brand that produced some of the most iconic American muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s. The Hemi Cuda, the Superbird, and the Road Runner are all Plymouth products that now command millions at auction in clean restored form. The Plymouth Barracuda began as a 1964 fastback variant of the Valiant compact, predating the Mustang by several weeks. The 1970-1974 third-generation Barracuda (E-body platform, shared with the Dodge Challenger) is the most collected Barracuda. The 1970-1971 Hemi Cuda with the 426 Hemi V8 making 425 horsepower (factory rating, likely more) is one of the most valuable American muscle cars ever produced. Convertible Hemi Cudas have crossed $3.5 million at auction. The Road Runner was Plymouth attempt at an affordable muscle car. Stripped interior, large engine standard, low price. The Road Runner became a cultural phenomenon; the brand even paid Warner Brothers for licensing rights to use the cartoon Road Runner character (and the Beep-Beep horn). The 1970 Road Runner Superbird (with the wing and aerodynamic nose cone) was a NASCAR homologation special and is one of the most visually distinctive American cars of any era. The Plymouth GTX, Duster, and Fury extended the muscle car and performance lineup. The Prowler (1997-2002) was a hot rod-themed roadster with retro styling and a 3.5 V6. The Neon (1995-2001) was the brand affordable compact. Most other Plymouth products were rebadged Dodge models with different exterior trim. Chrysler discontinued Plymouth in 2001 as part of corporate restructuring under Daimler ownership. The brand had become redundant with significant overlap to the Dodge lineup, and the cost of marketing two value brands no longer made sense. On WhipJury, Plymouth submissions are heavy on classic Cudas, Road Runners, Superbirds, Barracudas, and the occasional Prowler or restored Duster.

Top Plymouth cars on WhipJury

1970 Plymouth Barracuda
1970 Plymouth Barracuda#1
Whip Score: 1203

Plymouth models we cover

Barracuda
Barracuda
Breeze
Breeze
Cuda
Cuda
Duster
Duster
Fury
Fury
GTX
GTX
Laser
Laser
Neon
Neon
Prowler
Prowler
Road Runner
Road Runner
Satellite
Satellite
Superbird
Superbird
Valiant
Valiant

The Hemi Cuda

The 1970-1971 Hemi Cuda is the Plymouth crown jewel. The 426 Hemi V8 making 425 horsepower (gross rating, real output likely higher), four-speed manual, available in coupe or convertible. Total Hemi Cuda production was around 1,400 cars across both years. Convertibles were even rarer (around 130 produced). Clean Hemi Cuda convertibles have crossed $3.5 million at auction; coupes range from $200,000 to $1 million depending on condition and documentation.

The Superbird

The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird was a NASCAR homologation special. The aerodynamic nose cone (designed in a wind tunnel) and the tall rear wing were required to compete with the Dodge Charger Daytona. NASCAR rules required Plymouth to sell at least 1,920 production Superbirds (one for every two dealers). Sales were initially slow because the cars were perceived as ugly and impractical for street use. Today, of course, the Superbird is one of the most collectible American cars ever produced.

Plymouth on WhipJury

Classic Plymouth submissions reliably do well in voting because of the muscle car heritage. Hemi Cudas (real or tribute) and Superbirds are the most commonly submitted. Road Runner builds and Barracudas appear regularly. The community treats Plymouth as the dead brand with a permanent place in muscle car history.

Frequently asked questions about Plymouth

When was Plymouth discontinued?
Plymouth production ended in 2001 under Chrysler restructuring during DaimlerChrysler ownership. The brand had become redundant with significant overlap to Dodge. Most Plymouth dealers were transitioned to Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep dealers, then to Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge dealers after the discontinuation.
What is the difference between Cuda and Barracuda?
Both refer to the same car. Cuda was the high-performance trim of the Barracuda, with larger engines (340, 383, 440, 426 Hemi options). Barracuda was the broader model name. In casual speech, all third-generation 1970-1974 cars are often called "Cudas," even base Barracudas.
Why are Hemi Cudas so expensive?
Limited production (around 1,400 total Hemi Cudas across 1970-1971), the legendary 426 Hemi V8, design that has aged exceptionally well, and motorsport heritage. Clean documented Hemi Cudas have set multiple auction records over the years. Convertible Hemi Cudas (only around 130 produced) are particularly valuable, with some examples crossing $3.5 million.
Was the Superbird actually fast?
In NASCAR trim, yes. The Superbird road cars were essentially Road Runner coupes with the aerodynamic body kit fitted. Engine options ranged from the 440 to the 426 Hemi. The street car was fast but not dramatically faster than a comparable Road Runner. The aerodynamic body was designed for high-speed NASCAR use, not street driving.
What is the Prowler?
The Plymouth Prowler (1997-2002, originally sold as Plymouth, then as Chrysler after Plymouth discontinued) was a retro hot rod-themed roadster. The styling referenced 1930s hot rods. The engine was a 3.5 liter V6 (no V8 was offered, a frequent enthusiast complaint). Production was limited and clean Prowlers are now collector items, more for the styling than the performance.

Plymouth on the WhipJury blog

The Last Great Era of American Car Design (And Why It Ended)
The Last Great Era of American Car Design (And Why It Ended)

American car design peaked twice. The first peak was the 1950s, when post-war prosperity and genuine cultural euphoria produced colors, proportions, and detail work that no subsequent era has matched. The second peak was shorter, more aggressive, and in many ways more interesting: the roughly decade-long window from 1964 to 1974 when American muscle car design produced some of the most visually forceful objects ever put on public roads. Then four things happened simultaneously and it was over within eighteen months...

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