Autoblog

click image above for more high-res pics of the Chrysler Cuda Concept

Unless you've got an uncle on the verge of buying the farm or Grand Canyon deep pockets, you won't be able to pick up an actual 'Cuda anytime soon. According to a Chrysler exec on hand at SEMA, the Barracuda concept is a one-off production car built for one of those overtly wealthy gearhead. We don't have any details on who this mystery magnate is, but with a 6.1-liter HEMI, a body entirely molded in carbon fiber, six piston Brembo brakes and a set of 22-inch Zenetti five-spoke wheels wrapped in Pirelli PZeros, it's guaranteed that he (or she) will be enjoying laying rubber around his private estate.

While the full carbon fiber body is trick and the Lambo orange paint makes the 'Cuda "pop," we're baffled that the interior is pulled straight from the Charger SRT8 parts bin. Figure this car is worth more than its weight in unobtanium and you'd think that a few extra bucks for some Alcantara and Recaros wouldn't do much damage to the bottom line.

OK, let's set a few things straight about this right off the bat. We have no details other than the photos you see here, which are posted at CarDomain and were sent in via a tipster. It's parked with the other SEMA Chryslers and looks for all the world like a factory 'Cuda concept based on the LX platform shared by the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Chrysler 300. Now, let's go into 100% speculation mode.

If it's a real Chrysler concept, logic would dictate that it's based on the Challenger (2-door body style and all) and is therefore propelled by some HEMI variant under its shaker hood. A look inside reveals a stock Chrysler interior, save for the pistol-grip shifter, and a closer inspection of the steering wheel reveals a badge that looks like it represents something other than Chrysler or Dodge, which means that this could just as likely be an one-off show car from some undetermined builder.

We hope that's not the case, and that it's really a tease to gauge interest in a possible Barracuda production car, but something that important would likely be unveiled at one of the big public shows. A modern HEMI Cuda would be awesome, but until we get some kind of confirmation on what this thing is, we won't hold our breath. One of the reasons we remain skeptical is that our party-crashing buddy, Ray from Jalopnik, is currently skulking about the show floor, snapping pics during setup. If this was an actual Chrysler Barracuda concept, he'd have probably posted on it by now. In any case, the Autoblog SEMA crew will be on-site tomorrow, and they'll be able to let us know if this is really something to get excited about or not.

UPDATE: According to commenter "Burningman," it's a one-off, carbon fiber-bodied, Charger-based custom for a private customer. No word on what shop did the project.

Thanks for the tip, Maestro1!

[Source: CarDomain]

The interweb is atwitter today thanks to a piece published by the Detroit News that hints Chrysler may revive the storied Cuda nameplate. Such a car would obviously share a platform with the upcoming Challenger, though would be sold as a Chrysler model since its original parent brand, Plymouth, is long since shuttered. The rumor was started by an interview given by famed hot rod tuner Chip Foose at the 2007 New York Auto Show earlier this month in which he mentioned the possibility of such a car.

We think the rumor has pretty weak legs to stand on, considering it originated from a guy who doesn't even work for Chrysler. Though Foose has partnered with DCX on a number of projects, there's no reason they would release such sensitive information to him. It could be the case that Foose wants a Chrysler Cuda to be developed and sold, but that's an entirely different story.

Plus, the New York Auto Show has been done and over for about three weeks. The possibility of a new Cuda is pretty hot info, so as a fellow publisher we're boggled why The Detroit News would sit on it for so long. As for the rendering that appears with the source article, while tastefully done by our friend George Achorn, is clearly just a tweaked version of a Challenger pic with a new color and different wheels. If Chrysler ever did decide to build the Cuda again, hopefully it would be differentiated by more than that.

The rendering we chose to use (above) is one done by the excellent Doug Schramm of www.creatingthelie.com fame. We found his pics of a Chrysler Cuda hanging out on ChryslerCuda.com. Cleary the Cuda's return became the wish of many Mopar enthusiasts as soon as the Challenger Concept first took the stage at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Bob Johnson's 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, dubbed G-Force, created quite a stir when it was unveiled earlier in the year, and now the groundbreaking g-machine has earned itself the prestigious Goodguys' 2006 Street Machine of the Year award. Johnson's evil fish took the crown last month - yeah, we're a bit late on this one - by beating out four machines from the Bowtie camp.

Built by Johnson's Rod Shop (supposedly no relation) in Alabama, the award caps a challenging three years of fabrication. The project was motivated by Bob's desire to capture the top spot in the judging after a Top 5 finish with his Camaro back in 2002. This ground-breaking machine makes liberal use of high-tech materials stretched around a huge Hemi to provide a stunning 3.2 lb/HP power-to-weight ratio. With that sort of power, the high-tech independent suspension at each corner, huge brakes, and even bigger wheels and tires, we're pretty sure that this would excel at any sort of on-pavement use - if indeed the desire existed to thrash what's likely a seven-figure piece of art.

[Source: Goodguys]

CNN Money has published a list of the "Top 10 Muscle Car Stars" as compiled by Kelley Blue Book. Some of the picks are obvious, such as the Hemi 'Cuda convertible, GTO Judge convertible, and the venerable Plymouth Superbird. More of a surprise is the presence of the Ford Torino Talladega, which is labeled as an up-and-comer in the muscle car marketplace. With values currently in the $30,000 range, the Torino is still attainable by those who don't have six-figure budgets to work with.

Also, despite lists like this one, it's always good to remember that one doesn't need a paddle at Barrett-Jackson to get into the game. Local newspapers and weeklies are always a great place to start. Sure, you may not find a concours-level, numbers-matching, rare-engined stunner, but you can find great bargains that are as much or more fun to work on and to drive.

All that said, here's the top 10 list as reported by CNN:

• 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda convertible - $2,000,000
• 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-454/LS-6 convertible - $369,000
• 1969 Pontiac GTO "Judge" convertible - $205,200
• 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 Roadster - $329,100
• 1969 Dodge Charger R/T-440 hardtop - $170,000
• 1968 Shelby GT-500-KR convertible - $191,000
• 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28/SS coupe - $91,700
• 1970 Oldsmobile 442/W-30 hardtop -$85,960
• 1970 Plymouth Superbird-440 hardtop - $107,500
• 1969 Ford Torino-Talladega hardtop - $37,100

Read the whole story for photos and expanded descriptions of the cars listed.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear what your favorites are in the comments section.

Photo: Alex Nunez

[Source: CNN Money]

With an apparent resurgence of muscle cars coming from Detroit, many are reminded of the "good ol' days" of Trans Am racing. This particular series mutated from the SCCA's B-Production Sedan class when the decision was made to award a manufacturer's title - a move that eventually dragged Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and AMC into a high-dollar factory-sponsored war for muscle car dominance.

The cars competing in Trans Am were built much like their circle-track "stock car" brethren of the day, with each race vehicle being built on a production-based unibody riding on essentially stock suspension components. Homologation was the rule of the day, and this lead to such street legends as the Camaro Z/28, Boss Mustang, AAR Cuda, and of course the Firebird Trans Am - all of which were equipped from the factory with a bone-jarring ride and oversquare V8s that would make today's high-performance four-cylinders seem downright docile in comparison. It was truly a case of "win it on Sunday and sell it on Monday", unlike today's Trans Am series that consists of tube-framed chassis wrapped with bodywork that barely resembles anything you'd find in a showroom. There were widespread rumors of cheating, which we'd rather think of as creative interpretation of the rules. Considering that Trans Am racing drew some of the more creative characters from NASCAR and drag racing, we have no doubt that stories of acid-dipped bodies, illegal non-factory engine components, and expanded fuel capacity are at least rooted in truth, even if a few decades of bench racing has allowed them to take on a life of their own.

When the manufacturers pulled out in 1971, the golden age of Trans Am racing drew to a close - much like the muscle-car era in general. Fast-forward 38 years or so, and maybe the conditions will be ripe for Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers to once again rub fenders in a big-league racing series. One thing is for certain - production-based racing has never failed to bring better vehicles to consumers, and so without a doubt we'd welcome the sound of uncorked small-block V8s on road courses around the country.

[Source: Car Craft]