– 440+6 with 4-speed, a low-production 1-of-108 car
– FC7 In Violet paint
– A33 Track Pack option car
The 1971 model year of the Plymouth Barracuda line represented the second year of the “E-body” car and it received slightly different front and rear restyling, new grille, addition of the use of four headlights and slightly changed tail lights. And exclusively on ’Cuda versions, louvers on the front fenders. Consistent with the ’70 models, there were three distinctly different versions: Base Barracuda (BH), luxury-oriented Gran Coupe (BP) and the high-performance sport model ’Cuda (BS).
The feature car is a highly desirable “BS23V” example, which translates from factory lingo to hardtop ’Cuda factory fitted with an E87 440 six-barrel engine. The other “as built” feature of this 1971 ’Cuda is that it rolled out of the factory with D21 4-speed manual transmission (which came with Pistol Grip Hurst handle), A33 Track Pak (Dana 60 9 3/4 rear axle fitted with 3.54:1 gears), S83 3-spoke Rim Blow steering wheel and FC7 In Violet High Impact paint.
Fully restored today, this rare (one of 108 1971 ’Cuda Hardtops built with V-code engine, 4-speed manual) has some added features (application of “Billboards” and the fitting of Rallye wheels). Back in the day, both of these additions could have been done at the dealership when the car was sold to the buyer. That scenario didn’t happen in this particular case, however.
As this 440+6 ’Cuda was factory ordered, it had an MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of $4,493.60.
V-CODE POWERPLANT
This is 1,350 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of induction for the famous 440+6 big block engine, and how that was arranged was by using a 350 cfm center carburetor – with 500 cfm each from the front and rear carburetors.
For 1971, this engine, known as the “V-code” powerplant, had 10.3:1 compression pistons, and was rated at having 385 horsepower at 4,700 rpm. Very impressive torque numbers of 490 lb.-ft. at 3,200 rpm. HEMI® orange was the color applied from the factory.
The 440 engine was of “RB” (raised block) of the B-engine family, and incorporated a 4.320-inch bore and 3.75-inch stroke, wedge-shaped combustion chambers, front-mounted external oil pump and front-mounted distributor (mounted at 45-degree angle). 6-bbl 440s had beefier connecting rods plus a three-bolt camshaft.
The air filter assembly for the 440 six-barrel engine had a large, oval-shaped design. The 440+6 engine was a less expensive alternative to the 426 HEMI engine and while not as powerful and exotic, they held their own on the street!
HIGH IMPACT FC7 PAINT
FC7 was the option code for the In Violet Purple paint, an extra cost “High Impact” hue and was priced at $14.75. For collectors, any one of these premium colors are desirable.
RIM BLOW WHEEL / PISTOL GRIP
$28.60 was the extra cost of the (S83) 3-spoke Rim Blow steering wheel, where the sounding of the horn came from anywhere along the ring that circled the wheel rather than a traditional center horn button.
Standard bucket seats came on the car, and the optional (C16) center console were among the options. Even though this is a ’Cuda, all Barracuda models had “Barracuda” dash emblem.
MINOR CHANGES FOR ’71
While the front of the 1971 version of the Barracuda line has a different overall look, four headlamps and “cheese grader” grille, at first glance the rear has the same flavor as the ’70 models, although the tail light detail is slightly revised.
ROLLING STOCK
These are the W21 Rallye road wheels as offered from the factory, shown here in modern times BFG Radial T/A P235-15 rubber. Brake drums were coated in red paint from the factory with these wheels.
BILLBOARD SIDE TAPE APPLICATION
“V6X” was the factory option code for a 1971 ’Cuda with Black Billboard side markings, with specific door markings to the engine selected (340, 383, 426, 440) and adding a lot of visual impact!
PERFORMANCE HOOD
Non-functional Performance Hood was a standard ’Cuda item and the fresh air option was the “N96” Shaker. (’Cuda 440-6 emblems never appeared after the run of 1971 cars; as for ’72, the top engine was the 340 small block.)
SPACE SAVER TIRE
A “Space Saver” spare tire with portable inflator; the truck area of these E-body cars is not all that big, the use of these collapsible tires helped free up space. During the design of these E-body cars, designer John Herlitz has stated that one requirement of the size of the Barracuda trunk was that a set of golf clubs had to fit inside. The only way that would happen is with the smaller diameter inflatable tire!
As part of the restoration, the bumper jack and mounting spring were renewed to original factory condition. It’s details like this that make this vintage Plymouth look like something that just came brand-new from the dealership showroom floor.
FULLY DOCUMENTED
Often but not always, this “Broadcast Sheet” is found tucked in under the springs of the rear sheet, and this ’Cuda had it as factory inserted. This black-hued marks are from the springs and the VIN on this document matches the vehicle.
This particular car came out of the Northwest (Brewer Chrysler/Plymouth, Auburn, WA), with the window label showing it was manufactured at the Hamtramck Assembly Plant listing the VIN with the “V” in the fifth sequence, and the listing in the printed options of “E87” both of which signifies the 440 V8 engine with the three carburetion induction. Also of note, the car rolled out of the factory with “T86” tires, listed as sized F70 x 14 bias belted White Side Walls.
This is the the original “fender tag”, plus a color copy of it. These were mounted on the top of the driver’s side inner fender as the cars were manufactured.
Author: James Maxwell
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