Plymouth Barracuda: books - history and technology

Art of Mopar : Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth Muscle Cars

The history of Chrysler Corporation is, in many ways, a history of a company floundering from one financial crisis to the next. While that has given shareholders fits for nearly a century, it has also motivated the Pentastar company to create some of the most outrageous, and collectible, cars ever built in the United States.

From the moment Chrysler unleashed the Firepower hemi V-8 engine on the world for the 1951 model year, they had been cranking out the most powerful engines on the market. Because the company pioneered the use of lightweight unibody technology, it had the stiffest, lightest bodies in which to put those most powerful engines, and that is the basic muscle-car formula: add one powerful engine to one light car.

When the muscle car era exploded onto the scene, Chrysler unleashed the mighty Mopar muscle cars, the Dodges and Plymouths that defined the era.
Fabled nameplates like Charger, Road Runner, Super Bee, 'Cuda, and Challenger defined the era and rank among the most valuable collector cars ever produced by an American automaker.

Featuring cars from the incomparable Brothers' Collection, "The Art of Mopar: Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth Muscle Cars" celebrates these cars in studio portraits using the light-painting process perfected by Tom Loeser. It is the ultimate portrayal of the ultimate muscle cars.

Mopar Muscle - Barracuda, Dart & Valiant 1960-1980

At the dawn of the 1960s, Chrysler Corp introduced a new kind of sophisticated family car called the Valiant. The Plymouth Valiant, and its cousin the Dodge Dart, travelled Detroit's path from economy car to high-performance machine in style. Snazzier still, were the subsequent Plymouth Barracuda and Dodge Challenger relations that took on all comers in the pony and muscle car wars.

By the mid '70s a change of pace saw Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare meet the blend of economy, sports and luxury that buyers wanted. All through the years, and underpinning all models, was Chrysler Corp's engineering excellence. Such excellence was apparent on racetracks and drag strips across the country, so too were the exploits of racing heroes that became Mopar legends.
Through hard times and corporate change, Chrysler returned with the modern Hemi V8 motorvated 300s, Chargers and Challengers. The Demon still lives at Highland Park.

Features:
- Written with assistance from Mopar legends Don Garlits, Buddy Martin and Mr Norm
- The first book to cover the Chrysler F bodied cars (Dodge Aspen & Plymouth Volare
- Over 250 previously unseen pictures
- New Mopar artwork
- Examines Chrysler Corp business from 1950s to present
- Examines Chrysler Corp's engineering and styling innovations
- Cover the 21st Century comeback of Mopar Muscle!

Models Covered:
- A, E & F bodied cars:
- Plymouth Barracuda 1964-74
- Dodge Challenger 1970-74
- Dodge Aspen 1976-80
- Plymouth Volare 1976-80
- Dodge Dart 1960-76
- Plymouth Valiant 1960-76.

The Definitive Barracuda & Challenger Guide 1970-1974 - Facts, Figures and Features of Chrysler's Famed Pony Cars

The 1970-1974 Plymouth Barracudas and Dodge Challengers are compact, lightweight, and extremely powerful pony cars; some are considered to be the greatest Mopar muscle cars of the era.
The platform, known as the E-Body for this generation, was Chrysler's response to the competition from the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro.

Today, the E-Body Barracudas and Challengers are some of the most valuable and popular muscle cars ever built. In this book, seasoned journalist Scott Ross has unearthed new information from the key personnel involved in designing, engineering, and building these brash muscle cars.

Ross provides comprehensive engine, transmission, and interior options as well as essential trim package and color code information. You learn the bottom line on original equipment packages and options.

Ross covers Special Edition, R/T, Gran Coupe, and Rapid Transit System packages. And of course, the preeminent models in the lineup, Hemi 'Cuda, Challenger 440 six pack, AAR 'Cuda, and Challenger TA are covered in extensive detail.
The large option list (and which options were available on which cars) is covered in great detail, which will greatly assist you with authentication.

Dodge Challenger & Plymouth Barracuda - Chrysler's Potent Pony Cars

An in-depth look at the very desirable pony cars from Plymouth and Dodge that managed to beat the Ford Mustang to the dealerships and went on to become one of the most sought after classic cars of all time.

Features
- Covers the development from the Valiant
- Shows design concepts and development
- Fresh new photos of original vehicles
- Covers all sub-series and models
- Follows a chronological coarse through historic events
- Shows rarely seen archive pictures and period adverts
- Written in plain unpretentious English, and easy to follow
- Extended captions with the images.

Period covered: 1960 -1974.

Models covered: 1960 Valiant, 1964 Plymouth Barracuda, 1967 Plymouth Barracuda, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda, Plymouth Cuda, Dodge Challenger.

Challenger and Barracuda 1970-1974 - Collector's Originality Guide

Renowned for their sleek shape and prodigious power, Mopar's Challenger and Barracuda were among the top cars of the muscle car era, generating a fervent following that continues to this day.
This "Collector's Originality Guide Challenger and Barracuda 1970-1974" presents all the information you need regarding correct parts, finishes, options, and trim pieces for all the versions of the E-body Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda, built from 1970 to 1974.

Author, photographer, and MOPAR expert Jim Schild sorts out all of the details about these prized cars, including the dizzying variety of engine options.
Filled with high-quality, detailed photos of excellent originals or very accurate restorations, this book is a resource that no E-body enthusiast can do without.

1971 Plymouth 'Cuda (Muscle Cars in Detail)

When the Barracuda arrived in the Plymouth lineup in mid-1964, it was given an unbearable task: compete against the new Ford Mustang. Out the gate, it was outsold by a 6 to 1 margin.
Barracuda could always compete with Mustang in the performance category, but aesthetically it just wasn't accepted like its Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro counterparts. That was until 1970, when a complete re-design in the E-Body platform turned the tide. In terms of performance, the 1970-1974 Barracudas and Challengers were every bit the measure of the Ford and GM offerings.

By 1971, the handsome Barracuda had established itself as one of the best-performing cars in the marketplace. Ordering the 'Cuda, owners could lay waste to Mustang and Camaro owners with such stout engine packages as the 440-6 and 426 Hemi.
Sales numbers never did match that of its cross-town rivals, but in the end, the 1971 'Cuda won the war. No other mass-production Pony Car can consistently claim asking prices of $2,000,000 for its top model (in today's prices).

Each volume in the In Detail Series provides an introduction and historical overview, an explanation of the design and concepts involved in creating the car, a look at marketing and promotion, and an in-depth study of all hardware and available options, as well as an examination of where the car is on the market today.
Also included are paint and option codes, VIN and build tag decoders, as well as production numbers.

Barracuda (1964-1974) - Brooklands Muscle Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book about the Plymouth Barracuda sports models from the years 1964-1974.

• The articles, taken from contemporary British and American car magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and technology.
• Also driving impressions, tests, comparison tests, technical specifications, etc.

Click here to know more about the Brooklands Portfolio books