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1970–1973 Plymouth Barracuda restoration.
Pick a year — E-body 108-in unibody, BS-/BP-/BP-GP- fender tag, 340 LA / 383 B / 440 RB / 426 Hemi.

Each single-year Plymouth-side E-body Barracuda guide below covers the year-correct BS-prefix / BP-prefix / BP-GP-prefix chain, the year-correct assembly-plant discriminator (1970 pivot-year Norwood Ohio / Hamtramck Michigan / Windsor Ontario plants), the year-correct engine family (340 LA small-block / 383 B-series big-block / 440 RB Six Barrel / 426 Hemi elephant-block), the 1970 mid-year 6-bolt-to-5-bolt rotor hub pattern transition, the A38 Shaker scoop carry-over ladder, and the year-correct RPO option-code map (U14 Rallye dash / M51 spoiler / N96 cargo seat / A01 light package).

Per-year guides

Pick a year to preview & buy.

The four-year mid-size Plymouth E-body coverage ladder on the 108-inch unibody platform. Each card ladders out into the live per-year leaf at /manufacturers/plymouth/barracuda/<year>. The deep-guide storefront row at /guides/plymouth-barracuda-<year> is gated on isAuthoredAndSaleReady and turns into a Preview-only badge when the on-disk PDF and the catalog row have not landed in lockstep yet.

1970 Plymouth

1970 Plymouth Barracuda restoration

1970 Plymouth Barracuda restoration: 1970-onward E-body 108-inch-unibody launch year, BS-/BP-/BP-GP- fender-tag prefix chain, 1970 pivot-year assembly-plant discriminator (Norwood Ohio / Hamtramck Michigan / Windsor Ontario), 1970 mid-year 6-bolt-to-5-bolt rotor hub-pattern transition, BS23J BS23 R-code Hemi fender-tag suffix chain (NOT the previous-year LBU-coded Hemi fender-tag on the 1969 GTX, NOT the 1971-onward reduced-compression 10.0:1 Hemi carryover).

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1971 Plymouth

1971 Plymouth Barracuda restoration

1971 Plymouth Barracuda restoration: 1971-onward fuselage E-body 108-inch unibody, BS23 / BP23 / BP-GP23 line-1 model-code chain, 1971-onward reduced-output 10.0:1 compression carryover, A38 Shaker functional twin-snorkel scoop carry-over, 1971 R-code Hemi FINAL-YEAR 426 elephant-block reduced from the 1970 11.0:1 to 1971-onward 10.0:1 (drops at end of 1971 model year).

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1972 Plymouth

1972 Plymouth Barracuda restoration

1972 Plymouth Barracuda restoration: 1972-onward fuselage E-body 108-inch unibody, 1972-onward Hemi-deleted Broadcast Sheet (NO 426 Hemi option after 1971), 1972-onward reduced-output 8.5:1 compression, BS23 / BP23 line-1 model-code chain with NO 1972 Hemi-option (R-coded Hemi unavailable after 1971).

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1973 Plymouth

1973 Plymouth Barracuda restoration

1973 Plymouth Barracuda restoration: 1973-onward fuselage E-body 108-inch unibody, 1973-onward emblematic emissions-era dashboard card, 1973-onward 8.5:1 compression-ratio on the 340 LA / 383 B-series engine chain at 250 hp / 320 lb-ft torque, 1973-onward Hemi-deleted engine chain (NO 426 Hemi option after 1971), 1973 model-year-as-run-out status before the 1974-onward rubber-bumper / 5-mph-impact era.

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Engine families — HP / torque by block casting

340 LA / 383 B-series / 440 RB Six Barrel / 426 Hemi elephant-block chain.

The 1970-onward Plymouth E-body engine chain crosses four distinct Mopar-side engines — the 340 LA small-block wedge on the Mopar-side 3250930 ONE-YEAR-ONLY casting; the 383 B-series big-block wedge on the Mopar-side 2468130 casting shared with the B-body; the 440 RB Six Barrel wedge on the 2536430 short-block topped with three Carter WCFB-3445 two-barrels on the 3462341 Six Pack-only ram-air intake; and the 426 Hemi elephant-block hemispherical-combustion-chamber option on the 2840180 short-block / 2843730 head casting. Each casting is a year-correct anchor.

EngineBlockBore / StrokePowerTorqueTrim codesNotes
340 LA small-blockMopar 340 LA small-block wedge (casting 3250930, 1970-only)4.04 in × 3.31 in275 hp @ 5,000 rpm340 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpmBS23 / BP23 / BP-GP23 (base Cuda / Gran Coupe)Standard 1970-onward engine on the small Barracuda (and on the 1971-onward Cuda 340 carryover at 1971-onward reduced-output). NOT a 383 B-series wedge, NOT a 440 RB, NOT a 426 Hemi. ONE-YEAR 3250930 block casting.
383 B-series big-blockMopar 383 B-series wedge (casting 2468130, 1959-1971)4.25 in × 3.38 in330 hp @ 4,800 rpm425 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpmBP-GP (Gran Coupe, model code BP-GP)Standard 1970 engine on the Gran Coupe trim (model code BP-GP). NOT a 383 wedge 4-bbl A/B-code Charger carryover; the Plymouth-side 383 is the BP-GP-only engine on the Barracuda. NOT a Cuda 440 440 RB Six Barrel wedge.
440 RB Six Barrel wedgeMopar 440 B-series (casting 2536430) + 3462341 Six Barrel-only ram-air intake4.380 in × 4.000 in390 hp @ 4,700 rpm490 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpmBS23J (Cuda 440)Optional 1970-onward engine on the Cuda 440 (model code BS23J). The same 440-ci short-block as the 1970 Charger R/T (casting 2536430) topped with three Carter WCFB-3445 two-barrels on the 3462341 Six Pack-only ram-air intake. NOT a 440 Magnum 4-bbl; NOT a 383 B 4-bbl A-code; NOT a 426 Hemi.
426 Hemi elephant-blockMopar 426 Hemi elephant-block hemispherical-combustion-chamber (2840180 short-block / 2843730 head)4.25 in × 3.75 in425 hp @ 5,000 rpm490 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpmBS23R (Cuda Hemi)Optional 1970-onward homologation engine on the Cuda Hemi (model code BS23R). A Hemi head gasket is a separate part from a 440 head gasket; Hemi parts do not interchange with LA / B-series at all. The 1971-onward reduces compression from 11.0:1 to 10.0:1; the 426 Hemi drops at end of 1971 model year.

RPO / trim grid — the Plymouth-side E-body fender-tag prefix scheme

BS-prefix / BP-prefix / BP-GP-prefix on the 108-in E-body.

The E-body fender tag carries a prefix-coded model-code line on row 1 of the fender tag — BS-prefix Cuda (small-block / big-block / Hemi), BP-prefix base Barracuda (small-block only), BP-GP-prefix Gran Coupe (with 383 B-series). Distinct from the 1968-1973 Plymouth-side B-body RM-prefix / RS-prefix / RP-prefix / no-prefix scheme; distinct from the 1964-onward Valiant A-body compact 108-in fastback.

Trim codeYear coverageEngineFender-tag codeFender-tag prefix
BP23 (base Barracuda)1970-onward340 LA small-blockE (340 LA small-block)BP-prefix base Barracuda
BP-GP23 (Gran Coupe)1970-onward383 B-series big-blockG (383 B-series big-block)BP-GP-prefix Gran Coupe
BS23 (Cuda small-block)1970-onward340 LA small-blockE (340 LA small-block)BS-prefix Cuda
BS23J (Cuda 440 RB)1970-onward440 RB Six BarrelU (440 RB Six Barrel) / J (440 4-bbl on the 1971-onward reduced-output carryover)BS-prefix Cuda with J suffix
BS23R (Cuda Hemi)1970-1971 only426 Hemi elephant-blockR (Hemi R-code on the 1970-onward fender tag; replaces 1968-1969 LBU-coded Hemi)BS-prefix Cuda with R suffix

Restoration phases — the twelve-phase 1970-1973 E-body sequence

Twelve-phase restoration sequence through the 1973 emissions-era closure.

The 1970-onward Plymouth E-body Barracuda restoration carries a twelve-phase sequence that opens with the pre-build survey on the 108-inch E-body unibody (NOT the 1964-1969 B-body Barracuda; NOT the 1964-onward Valiant A-body compact 108-in fastback; NOT the 1970-onward Dodge Challenger E-body 108-in) and closes with the 1973 emissions-era reduced-output carryover — the 1973 model year is the run-out model year for the E-body muscle-peak; after 1973 the E-body carries into 1974 with the rubber-bumper / 5-mph-impact federal regulations on the bumper. Each phase lifts paragraph-for-paragraph from the standing Mopar brand-hub reference.

  1. Pre-build survey & E-body platform identification: Confirm the Barracuda is on the 1970-onward E-body unibody (NOT the 1964-1969 B-body Barracuda). Measure the 108-inch wheelbase bumper-to-bumper; verify the rear spring pocket is welded into the unibody (NOT frame-on-frame like a B-body). Photograph the driver-side fender tag, partial-VIN dash stamping, door-jamb trim tag, and the assembly-plant discriminator on the fender-tag VIN fifth-character plant stamp.
  2. Drivetrain — 340 LA / 383 B-series / 440 RB / 426 Hemi: The 1970 E-body engine chain crosses four distinct Mopar engines: 340 LA small-block wedge on the BP23 / BS23 base Barracuda / Cuda (275 hp / 340 lb-ft, casting 3250930); 383 B-series big-block on the BP-GP23 Gran Coupe (330 hp / 425 lb-ft, casting 2468130); 440 RB Six Barrel wedge on the BS23J Cuda 440 (390 hp / 490 lb-ft at the 3462341 ram-air intake, casting 2536430); 426 Hemi elephant-block hemispherical-combustion-chamber on the BS23R Cuda Hemi (425 hp / 490 lb-ft, casting 2840180 / 2843730 head). All torque targets are kept on a single index card; Hemi head gaskets do not interchange with 440 head gaskets.
  3. Disc-brake hub pattern — 6-bolt to 5-bolt transition: The 1970 E-body disc-brake hub pattern transitions mid-year from 6-bolt (early builds, September 1969 - December 1969) to 5-bolt (January 1970 forward). Cross-reference the disc-brake hub against the build date stamped on the fender tag. A 5-bolt catalog rotor on a 6-bolt early-build chassis is mis-restored at the hub. N96 Rallye 14-inch wheels are hub-pattern restricted to the 5-bolt pattern.
  4. Rallye dash cluster (U14 option): The U14 Rallye dash is the Cuda signature interior option: a woodgrain-faced dash panel with a 150-mph speedometer (vs the 120-mph base speedo) and an in-dash 8,000-rpm tachometer (vs the warning-light cluster base). Verify all three items as a single bundle: woodgrain dash, 150-mph speedo, in-dash tach. The Rallye-only wiring harness uses a 7-pin connector distinct from the base cluster 4-pin connector.
  5. M51 rear decklid spoiler — add vs dealer-delete: The M51 rear decklid spoiler is a stamped-steel airfoil mounted on the rear decklid. Standard on the Cuda Hemi; optional on the Cuda 440; dealer-deleted on a chassis with the M51 option code on the fender tag but no holes visible from inside the trunk. Lift the trunk mat and inspect the underside of the decklid for through-bolt holes; the M51 delete path leaves NO holes visible.
  6. N96 cargo seat & cargo-convenience option: The N96 cargo seat is a single-year 1970-only option: a fold-down rear seatback that turns the rear seatback into a flat-load floor. Stackable with the M51 spoiler; common on the Cuda 440 and the Hemi. Verify the N96 seat-latch mechanism at the top of the seatback; the non-N96 seatback is a fixed mount with two bolts at the hinge.
  7. Bodywork & rust repair (E-body unibody): Rust on a 1970 E-body follows a rank-ordered pattern: rear spring pocket first, lower trailing edge of the rear quarter second, trunk-to-quarter seam third, cowl panel below the windshield gasket fourth (outdoor-lifetime cars only). The E-body spring pocket is welded into the unibody; a spring-pocket rust-through is a structural unibody repair (stitch-weld, NOT spot-weld).
  8. Surface preparation & paint codes: E-body surface prep is two-pass: epoxy primer as the sealer coat, then urethane primer-surfacer as the blocker. 180-320-400 block-sanding sequence. The 1970 Cuda color codes stamped on fender tag line 5 include FC7 Vitamin C Orange, EB5 Blue Firemist, GB5 Rallye Green, GF7 Dark Green Metallic, and TX9 Black. Single-stage or basecoat/clearcoat depends on the FC7 single-stage vs EB5 basecoat answer.
  9. Drivetrain assembly sequence: Frame-first assembly: front subframe pre-assembled separately (engine, transmission, front suspension, steering linkage), then bolted into the front unibody mount points with four 7/16-inch bolts torqued to spec. The 426 Hemi sits approximately 1.5 inches taller than the 440 RB and approximately 2 inches taller than the 340 LA; hood clearance differs across the engine family. Rear spring and axle assembly: 6 leaves on small-block, 7 leaves on big-block, 8 leaves on Hemi.
  10. Fender tag decode (BS23 / BP23 / BP-GP23 / BS-J / BS-R): BS prefix for Cuda (small-block or big-block or Hemi); BP prefix for base Barracuda; BP-GP for Gran Coupe (with 383 B-series). The BS-J suffix is Cuda 440 RB Six Barrel; the BS-R suffix is Cuda Hemi (drops at end of 1971). Engine code on line 3: E (340 LA), G (383 B), U (440 RB Six Barrel), J (440 4-bbl on 1971-onward), R (Hemi R-code on 1970 fender tag). Paint on line 5: FC7 Vitamin C Orange is the most-popular 1970 Cuda color.
  11. A38 Super Commando shaker hood scoop: The A38 Super Commando shaker hood scoop is the 1970-onward Cuda 440 / Hemi hood option — a positive-feedback carburetor-mounted scoop (moveable; tracks engine through motor-mount deflection). The Goers-style die-cast aluminum scoop shell, the rubber weatherstrip, the hinge-and-pivot K-frame, and the linkage rod [hose to the carburetor throttle lever are required for an authentic A38 car. The 340 LA single-throttle lever uses a short offset linkage rod; the 440 RB and Hemi central-pivot uses a single linkage rod to the central pivot.
  12. 1973 emissions-era closure & deliver: 1973 is the muscle-peak run-out year for the Plymouth E-body Barracuda. After 1973 the E-body carries into 1974 with the rubber-bumper / 5-mph-impact federal regulations on the bumper. The deliver phase hands off the 1970 E-body Barracuda chassis with the year-correct fender tag (BS-/BP-/BP-GP- prefix scheme), the year-correct engine (340 LA / 383 B / 440 RB / 426 Hemi), the year-correct RPO option-code ladder (A38 / U14 / M51 / N96 / A01), and the 1973-onward emblematic emissions-era dashboard card on the run-out model year.

More from Plymouth

Continue on the Plymouth E-body track.

Browsing the broader Plymouth E-body documentation track? The marque-hub links below ladder out into the 'Cuda variant, the 1968-1970 B-body Road Runner, and the 1967-onward GTX B-body. Pick a year above to preview & buy the per-year E-body Barracuda guide.

Open the Plymouth marque hubOpen the Plymouth ’Cuda sister-E-body hubOpen the Plymouth Road Runner B-body hubOpen the Plymouth GTX sister-B-body hub