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So it's starting to creep up on us; the next generation ponycar wars. For many fans of the late 60's domestic ponycars this is like a dream come true. In a year or so the streets will be flooded with brand new Dodge Challengers, Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaro's. Now, I was too young to be a part of the first ponycar wars so I can't give a first hand account of what happened. But what I can do is tell you what happened after: Cars sucked.

Now don't get me wrong there were some bright spots (the 1970-1981 Camaro/Firebirds), some low spots (Mustang II King Kobra? Com'on!), and some things the mind tries to forget (Dear God Why!?!). But what if you wanted a ponycar, and not the garbage-mobiles that were being produced around that time? Let me take you back to the mid 1980's. I was in junior high and in no place financially to buy a car. I had always wanted a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, but it was horribly expensive to buy a decent one, (like $5000. Today that might buy you the shell) and who wanted to suffer the humiliation of buying one of the 'weak' 1972-1974 cars? For a thousand bucks you could buy a 1974 Barracuda and pretend you were in a big-block Mopar. Bleh, that felt like cheating. Now those throw-aways are averaging over $10,000 on eBay! Anyways, after a few years I got a job and by my senior year in high school I was ready to buy a ponycar.

By that time I was really starting to notice the late 60's Mustang Fastbacks so I kept that option in mind. I scoffed at this kid in my school that would sell me his almost rust free, runs and drives 1969 Mach 1 for $2500. Too much for a Mustang, I thought. Late 60's Camaro's were starting to heat up price wise by then, but I never had much interest in them at the time, but you could get 'buy-one/get-one free' deals on mid 70's Camaro's and Trans-Ams just about everywhere. Nope. Not distinct enough for my taste. So I started shopping around for my Barracuda, a 'fixer-upper' that I could afford to buy and drive at the same time. A friend found a drivable 1971 Cuda' 383 with the trunk practically gone and in need of a complete restoration for $1500, but I thought it was too much work. So I ended up buying a 1969 Coronet 383 that was rough but workable, and decided I'd just buy my ponycar a little later down the road.

Fast-forward much later down the road, and prices have skyrocketed on just about every ponycar made by the Big 3. How about a nice, drivable 1974 Barracuda 318 for $5000? Ha. No. How about those 1960's Mustang Fastbacks, they made hundreds of thousands of them? Sure, but if you want all the options, like an engine and the floors, it's going to cost you $15,000, if you're lucky. But the good news is the late 60's Camaro's have stabilized in price, say around $15,000 to $20,000, but I'm still not into them. But what if you want something to drive everyday, with air conditioning, and a factory warranty, and air bags? Well the Big 3 have finally (read: about damn time) answered our prayers and will offer us retro-ponies at a price we can afford. Now, that's exciting by itself, but, it will be even better when all three cars are on the road at the same time. Let me put it this way, you can have two of the most educated, docile, friendly 40-something year old's in the world driving those cars, but when a Mustang and a Camaro meet at a stop light, one of those cars is going to lose a tooth. It's not the owners fault.

You can rest assured most of them bought the cars because they loved or used to own one of the originals, or maybe they just want to look cool. Nope... the cars know. I own a 2005 Mustang with the V6. I know it's just a nice driver and not a pavement killer. Every time some kid pulls up next to me in a clapped-out Cavalier or a shiny four door Civic, or even an Aztek for Pete's sake, then suddenly it's on! They rev there engines and try to power break (almost killing the poor things) then break loose when the light turns green. All the while I just hang back in amazement thinking, "why are you trying to blow your car's engine through the hood?" My Mustang laughs at me, because she knows she's the one that picks the fight. If you think I'm overreacting then just watch the first time you see one of the new Dodge Challenger R/T's and Camaro SS' meet at a light. Me? I'm going to enjoy the peace and solidarity while it lasts. As far as never being able to afford my 1971 Cuda', that's ok, maybe they'll make a 2011.

Tom Carillo loves musclecars. Old ones, new ones, he likes them all. Make sure to check out his website about new muscle cars [http://newmusclecars.net].

Plymouth Cuda – the Muscle Car to Own

The 1970 Plymouth Cuda is a beautiful re-design of its previous models. An increased width of 5 inches allowed more powertrain options. The uncluttered and clean appearance of the this truly respected and memorable Plymouth was designed by sheet metal and styling. The smooth features of the exterior side were fenders, quarter panels with flush mounted door handles. The grill had single headlamp, two rectangular inlets with urethane coated electrometric bumpers which were optional. The Cuda looked like a pony car with the long hood and deck lid. Interior features such as high back buckets, steering wheel, smooth edges, large gauges and door panels gave a new look to the car. The 1970 Cuda was available with options like rear spoiler, rear window louvers, Hurst pistol grip shifter, Ralleye wheels, hood scoops, fog lamps, hockey stick striped quarter panels with attractive colors of TorRed, Lemon Twist, In Violet, Vitamin C and Lime Light. The Cuda 70 cars were considered as the most valuable Mopar muscle cars which were available in coupe and convertible models. There was 21,017 Cudas produced during the 1970 model year.

The 1971 Plymouth Cuda saw some changes from the 70 model which included a cheese grater grill with 4 headlights, tail lights, fin like vents on fenders. The model included billboard decals which were optional on quarter panels covering door to rear side of the Plymouth car. The engine sizes during the year were 340, 383, 440 and hemi with optional electrometric bumpers. Interior of the car was upgraded with good seats and grip with options of split buckets. With minimal styling changes, the 1971 Cuda was most sought after by the people. Coupe and convertible models were available and totally 6602 Cuda cars were produced during the year.

The Plymouth Cuda muscle car was released in 1972 with drastic changes from its previous models. During the period of the car, just like Detroit muscle cars, the Plymouth also faced issues of insurance pressures, gas shortages and emission standards. The features of the old model such as shaker scoop, shaker and big blocks were changed by small low compression blocks. The exterior Cuda had minimal changes. The single headlights of the 1972 Cuda were just like the 1970 model. Instead of using horizontal blind style which existed in the models of previous years, larg dual round unit tail lights were used in the 1972 Plymouth Cuda model. There were some minor exterior changes which included optional striping and not hockey stripe or billboard. The interior of the Cuda looked much the same as its previous models. But the advertisements of the car boasted standard bucket seats offering the users better grip and comfort compared to its previous models. The 1972 Plymouth Cuda was available in two basic options viz., 318 2bbl or hi performance 340 cid motor. The Plymouth Barracuda was available with a 4 speed including a pistol grip shifter. The 1972 Cuda came in a Coupe model. The 318 cid model had engine options of 8.8 Comp., 150 HP with standard motor whereas 340 model had engine of 8.5 Comp., and 240 HP. During the year 7828 total Cuda cars were produced much to the muscle car crowds enjoyment.

About the Author

Browse through the pictures and read the articles I'm sure you'll see a Cuda of your dreams! For more information and your viewing and reading pleasure check out the Mopar & other SUPER Muscle cars at:

http://www.symbolicautomotive.com/

80 Dodge aspen vs 76 Plymouth volare!?

I'm choosing to buy a volare to put a big block into and i'm wondering if they are the same animal? I had a 360 aspen in ca before i moved to mo and ran a fast time,so this time around it's a big block! Will it handle it? Next question,i was told they all come with eight and a quarter rearend's, but doe's the eight and a quarter have a limited slip available? If not doe's anyone know if there are any eight and three quarters that will fit in a f-body,as in just bolt it in. Do you know what is the model Mopar it's in?If you can help me with these question's it would be a great help to me! THANK'S

Aspens and Volares are one and the same just different markings.

All came with 8 1/4 rears. Various aftermarket vendors sell limited slip kits for these rears. To my knowledge no 8 3/4 rears will "bolt in" with no modifications. Have been told E-body rears are the correct width but spring perches must be relocated, have no idea if this is true.

Try this site for info to swap big blocks into F-bodies http://www.engine-swaps.com/, larger torsion bars for the front end would be prudent for this swap.

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