Plymouth › ’Cuda › per-year guides

1970–1973 Plymouth ’Cuda restoration.
Pick a year — E-body 108-in unibody, BS23 / BS23J / BS23R fender tag, 340 LA / 383 B / 440 RB / 426 Hemi.

Each single-year Plymouth-side E-body ’Cuda guide below covers the year-correct ’Cuda-with-apostrophe trim tag, the BS23 / BS23J / BS23R fender-tag suffix chain, the year-correct assembly-plant discriminator (1970 pivot-year Norwood Ohio / Hamtramck Michigan / Windsor Ontario), the year-correct engine family (340 LA small-block / 383 B-series big-block / 440 RB Six Barrel / 426 Hemi elephant-block), the A38 Shaker carry-over scoop ladder on the Cuda 440 / Hemi only, 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 ’Cuda coverage ladder on the 108-inch unibody platform. Each card ladders out into the live per-year leaf at /manufacturers/plymouth/cuda/<year>. The deep-guide storefront row at /guides/plymouth-cuda-<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 'Cuda

1970Plymouth ’Cuda restoration

1970 Plymouth 'Cuda restoration: 1970-onward E-body 108-inch-unibody launch year, BS23 (Cuda small-block) / BS23J (Cuda 440 RB Six Barrel) / BS23R (Cuda Hemi) fender-tag suffix chain, the 1970 'Cuda-with-apostrophe deck script and trim-tag year-only, the 1970 pivot-year assembly-plant discriminator (Norwood Ohio / Hamtramck Michigan / Windsor Ontario), the 1970 440 RB Six Barrel wedge on the 2536430 short-block + 3462341 ram-air intake at 390 hp / 490 lb-ft, the 1970 A38 Shaker carry-over scoop on the Cuda 440 / Hemi.

$29 · US-letter PDF
Preview only
Preview the 1970’Cuda guide →

1971 Plymouth 'Cuda

1971Plymouth ’Cuda restoration

1971 Plymouth 'Cuda restoration: 1971-onward fuselage E-body 108-inch unibody, BS23 / BS23J Cuda 440 / BS23R Cuda Hemi (FINAL-YEAR 426 Hemi, drops at end of 1971 model year) line-1 fender-tag suffix chain, the 1971-onward reduced-output 10.0:1 compression carryover, the A38 Shaker carry-over scoop on the Cuda 440 (NOT on Hemi after 1971-onward), the 1971-onward Cuda 440 RB Six Barrel wedge carryover at 10.0:1 compression.

$29 · US-letter PDF
Preview only
Preview the 1971’Cuda guide →

1972 Plymouth 'Cuda

1972Plymouth ’Cuda restoration

1972 Plymouth 'Cuda restoration: 1972-onward fuselage E-body 108-inch unibody, 1972-onward Hemi-deleted engine chain (NO 426 Hemi option after 1971), 1972-onward reduced-output 8.5:1 compression carryover, BS23 'Cuda-series line-1 fender-tag with NO 1972 Hemi-option (no BS-J and no BS-R Hemi suffix), the 1972-only transverse black-out grille (Cuda 440-only), the 1972-onward Sprint emblem option ladder.

$29 · US-letter PDF
Preview only
Preview the 1972’Cuda guide →

1973 Plymouth 'Cuda

1973Plymouth ’Cuda restoration

1973 Plymouth 'Cuda restoration: 1973-onward fuselage E-body 108-inch unibody; the 1973 model-year-as-muscle-peak run-out before the 1974-onward rubber-bumper / 5-mph-impact era. 1973-onward emblematic emissions-era dashboard card; 1973-onward 8.5:1 compression reduced-output 340 LA / 383 B / Cuda 440 RB Six Barrel engine chain at 250 hp / 320 lb-ft (A38 Shaker carryover on Cuda 440; NOT on Hemi); the BS23 'Cuda-series line-1 fender-tag with NO 1973 Hemi-suffix option.

$29 · US-letter PDF
Preview only
Preview the 1973’Cuda guide →

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 ’Cuda engine chain crosses four distinct Mopar-side engines — the 340 LA small-block wedge on the Mopar-side 3250930 ONE-YEAR-ONLY casting (BS23 base Cuda); the 383 B-series big-block wedge on the Mopar-side 2468130 casting shared with the B-body (BS23 Cuda 383 chassis, 1970 launch year only); 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 (BS23J Cuda 440 RB); and the 426 Hemi elephant-block hemispherical-combustion-chamber option on the 2840180 short-block / 2843730 head casting (BS23R Cuda Hemi, 1970-1971 only).

EngineBlockBore / StrokePowerTorqueTrim codesNotes
340 LA small-block (Cuda 340)Mopar 340 LA small-block wedge (casting 3250930, 1970-only)4.04 in × 3.31 in275 hp @ 5,000 rpm340 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpmBS23 Cuda small-block / line-1Base 1970-onward engine on the Cuda 340 carryover. NOT a 383 B-series wedge; NOT a 440 RB Six Barrel; NOT a 426 Hemi. ONE-YEAR 3250930 block casting on the 1970 models; the 1971-onward carries forward the 340 LA small-block wedge on casting 3250930.
383 B-series big-block (Cuda 383)Mopar 383 B-series wedge (casting 2468130, 1959-1971)4.25 in × 3.38 in330 hp @ 4,800 rpm425 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpmBS23 Cuda 383 (1970 launch-year only)Optional 1970 launch-year engine on the Cuda 383 chain (NOT a 1971-onward Cuda-383 carryover -- the 1971-onward model BCE drops the 383 B-series Cuda option). NOT a 440 RB Six Barrel; NOT a 426 Hemi.
440 RB Six Barrel wedge (Cuda 440)Mopar 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 RB Six Barrel line-1 suffix)Optional 1970-onward engine on the Cuda 440 (model suffix BS-J). The 1971-onward reduced-output carries the 440 RB Six Barrel forward at 1971-onward 10.0:1 / 1972-onward 8.5:1 compression. NOT a 440 Magnum 4-bbl; NOT a 426 Hemi.
426 Hemi elephant-block (Cuda Hemi)Mopar 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 line-1 suffix; 1970-1971 only)Homologation engine option on the 1970-1971 Cuda Hemi. The 1971-onward reduces compression from the 1970 11.0:1 to 1971-onward 10.0:1; the 426 Hemi drops at end of 1971 model year. NOT a 440 Hemi; NOT a 383 B; Hemi parts do not interchange with LA / B-series engines at all.

RPO / trim grid — the Plymouth-side E-body ’Cuda fender-tag suffix chain

BS-prefix / BS23 / BS23J (Cuda 440) / BS23R (Cuda Hemi) on the 108-in E-body.

The ’Cuda fender tag carries a BS-prefix line-1 model-code prefix that distinguishes the ’Cuda from the BP-prefix base Barracuda and the BP-GP-prefix Gran Coupe. The line-1 model-code suffix carries the engine family: BS23 (base small- block), BS23J (440 RB Six Barrel), BS23R (426 Hemi -- 1970-1971 only). Distinct from the 1968-1973 Plymouth-side B-body RM-prefix Road Runner / RS-prefix Satellite / RP-prefix GTX scheme; distinct from the 1964-onward Valiant A-body compact 108-in fastback.

Trim codeYear coverageEngineFender-tag codeFender-tag prefix
BS23 Cuda 3401970-onward340 LA small-blockE (340 LA small-block)BS-prefix Cuda small-block
BS23 Cuda 383 (1970 only)1970 launch year only383 B-series wedgeG (383 B-series wedge)BS-prefix Cuda 383 (1970 launch-year-only)
BS23J Cuda 440 RB1970-onward440 RB Six Barrel wedgeU (440 RB Six Barrel) / J (440 4-bbl on the 1971-onward reduced-output carryover)BS-prefix Cuda with J suffix
BS23R Cuda Hemi1970-1971 only426 Hemi elephant-blockR (Hemi R-code on the 1970-onward fender tag; replaces 1968-1969 LBU-coded Hemi; 1971 reduced compression from 11.0:1 to 10.0:1)BS-prefix Cuda with R suffix (1970-1971 only)

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

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

The 1970-onward Plymouth E-body ’Cuda 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 'Cuda identification: Confirm the chassis is a 'Cuda (NOT a base Barracuda). The 'Cuda-with-apostrophe trim tag carries the apostrophe in the wordmark; the BS-prefix fender-tag line-1 prefix carves out the Cuda vs the BP-prefix base Barracuda. Measure the 108-inch wheelbase bumper-to-bumper; cross-reference the partial-VIN dash stamping on the driver-side dash against the fender-tag sequential VIN; and capture the assembly-plant discriminator on the fender-tag VIN fifth-character plant stamp (Norwood Ohio / Hamtramck Michigan / Windsor Ontario).
  2. 'Cuda variant ladder — 340 / 383 / 440 RB / 426 Hemi: The 'Cuda variant ladder crosses four distinct engine options: 340 LA small-block wedge on the BS23 base Cuda (275 hp / 340 lb-ft, casting 3250930); 383 B-series wedge on the BS23 Cuda 383 (1970 launch-year-only, 330 hp / 425 lb-ft, casting 2468130); 440 RB Six Barrel wedge on the BS23J Cuda 440 (390 hp / 490 lb-ft, casting 2536430 + 3462341 intake); 426 Hemi elephant-block on the BS23R Cuda Hemi (425 hp / 490 lb-ft, casting 2840180 / 2843730 head). The 1971-onward reduced-output carryover drops 440 RB to 10.0:1 / 8.5:1 compression; the 426 Hemi drops at end of 1971 model year.
  3. A38 Super Commando shaker hood scoop: The A38 Super Commando shaker hood scoop is the 1970-onward Cuda 440 / Hemi hood option (NOT on the Cuda 340, NOT on the Cuda 383). The shaker scoop is a positive-feedback carburetor-mounted scoop -- the 1970-onward A38 RPO replaces the 1969-only N96 vacuum-butterfly Air Grabber cold-airhood on the B-body. The Goers-style die-cast aluminum scoop shell with the 1970-only stamping pattern, the rubber weatherstrip, the hinge-and-pivot K-frame mounting points, and the linkage rod to the carburetor throttle lever are required for an authentic A38 car. A/C-equipped cars lose the A38 scoop.
  4. M51 rear decklid spoiler & 'Cuda deck script: The M51 rear decklid spoiler is standard on the Cuda Hemi (1970-1971 only) and 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. The 'Cuda-with-apostrophe deck script is year-only on the 1970-onward Cuda deck lid -- the apostrophe and the font differ from the B-body Road Runner cartoon-horn decal. A reproduction 'Cuda deck script shipping with the B-body font is mis-restored at the script.
  5. U14 Rallye dash cluster: The U14 Rallye dash is the 'Cuda signature interior option: a woodgrain-faced dash panel with a 150-mph speedometer (vs the base 120-mph 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; mix-ups are the documented post-restoration electrical failure.
  6. N96 cargo seat & cargo convenience option: The N96 cargo seat is the fold-down rear seatback carry for the 1970-onward 'Cuda (a single-year 1970-only-shaped option, continues onto 1971-onward). Stackable with the M51 spoiler 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. The 1971-onward cargo seat carries the same N96 mechanism but the upholstery basket-weave pattern transitions to the 1971-onward fabric.
  7. Bodywork & rust repair (E-body unibody): Rust on a 1970-onward 'Cuda follows the rank-ordered pattern: rear spring pocket first, lower trailing edge of the rear quarter second, trunk-to-quarter seam third. The E-body spring pocket is welded into the unibody; stitch-weld (NOT spot-weld) at the spring pocket seam; weld-through primer at the seam; heavy bituminous undercoating after the structural work. The 1971-onward fuselage rear quarter is taller than the 1970 launch-year flat-deck and the cut lines differ.
  8. Surface preparation & paint codes: E-body surface prep: epoxy primer as sealer coat; urethane primer-surfacer as blocker; 180-320-400 block-sanding sequence. The 1970-onward 'Cuda color codes stamped on fender tag line 5 include FC7 Vitamin C Orange (single-stage), EB5 Blue Firemist (basecoat/clearcoat), GB5 Rallye Green, GF7 Dark Green Metallic, and TX9 Black. The 1971-onward added color codes include SB4 Silver, SB8 Dark Silver, TB4 / FY1 Light Yellow at the 1973-onward emissions-era carryover.
  9. Disc-brake hub pattern (1970 mid-year 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). The 1971-onward carries the 5-bolt pattern forward. Cross-reference the rotor-hub against the build date stamped on the fender tag; an N96 Rallye 14-inch wheel on a 6-bolt hub needs an adapter or a hub swap to clear. A late-1970 chassis with 6-bolt hub hardware is mis-restored at the hub.
  10. Fender tag decode — BS23 / BS23J / BS23R / 'Cuda trim tag: BS prefix for 'Cuda; the line-1 model-code carries BS23 (small-block or big-block base), BS23J (Cuda 440 RB Six Barrel), BS23R (Cuda Hemi 1970-1971 only). Engine code on line 3: E (340 LA), G (383 B on the 1970 launch-year-only Cuda 383), U (440 RB), J (440 4-bbl on the 1971-onward reduced-output), R (Hemi R-code on the 1970-onward Hemi fender tag). The 'Cuda-with-apostrophe trim tag carries the apostrophe in the trim code (NOT a cosmetic-only apostrophe on the wording).
  11. G80 Dana 60 Hemi-spec axle: The G80 Dana 60 axle is Hemi-spec only on the 1970-onward Cuda Hemi. The G80 Sure-Grip on the Cuda 440 is an 8.75-inch Mopar corporate rear; the standard axle on the Cuda 340 is also an 8.75-inch corporate rear. A Hemi chassis with an 8.75-inch rear is mis-restored at the rear-end level. Cross-reference the fender-tag prefix suffix (BS23R) against the partial VIN dash stamping against the Dana 60 axle casting stamp.
  12. 1973 emissions-era closure & deliver: 1973 is the muscle-peak run-out year for the Plymouth E-body 'Cuda. After 1973 the E-body carries into 1974 with the rubber-bumper / 5-mph-impact federal regulations. The deliver phase hands off the 1970-onward Cuda chassis with the year-correct fender-tag prefix scheme (BS23 / BS23J / BS23R), the year-correct engine casting (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 BS-prefix / BP-prefix / BP-GP-prefix Barracuda family, 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 ’Cuda guide.

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