what is the difference between ...

[Aren Jay]

Between a

1972 Dodge Charger

and Cuda

and a Challenger?

Are they the same car?

[Bluerauder]

Between a

1972 Dodge Charger

and Cuda

and a Challenger?

Are they the same car?
No, they are not the same car.

The 'Cuda was actually called the Barracuda and the name got "chopped" when the Hemi 'Cuda was introduced. Most people were shortening the name when referring to it anyway. "Cuda just rolled off the tongue easier. ;) The "Barracuda" name dates back to about 1965-1966 and the Barracuda had a very distintive styling for that time. Do a google search and research the differences. As I recall, the Charger was the largest/heaviest (but still a 2-door), Challenger was next, and the 'Cuda was the smallest of the three. Prices for the base vehicles followed that same general pattern as well; but with options there was alot of overlap in price. I believe that you could get the 440 cid on any of them. But the smaller V-8 (383 cid??) was more common. And the base engine was the 318 cid old reliable. Don't think they offered anything smaller than the 318 ..... or did they? :rolleyes:

I had a '74 Dodge Charger SE and kept it for 11 years including one trip to and from Germany. It REALLY liked the Autobahn. :D

[larryo340]

No, they are not the same car.

The 'Cuda was actually called the Barracuda and the name got "chopped" when the Hemi 'Cuda was introduced. Most people were shortening the name when referring to it anyway. "Cuda just rolled off the tongue easier. ;) The "Barracuda" name dates back to about 1965-1966 and the Barracuda had a very distintive styling for that time. Do a google search and research the differences. As I recall, the Charger was the largest/heaviest (but still a 2-door), Challenger was next, and the 'Cuda was the smallest of the three. Prices for the base vehicles followed that same general pattern as well; but with options there was alot of overlap in price. I believe that you could get the 440 cid on any of them. But the smaller V-8 (387 cid??) was more common. And the base engine was the 318 cid old reliable. Don't think they offered anything smaller than the 318 ..... or did they? :rolleyes:

I had a '74 Dodge Charger SE and kept it for 11 years including one trip to and from Germany. It REALLY liked the Autobahn. :D
the '72 Charger was smaller than the classic '69. The Challenger and Cuda (or Barracuda) were both E-bodies and the same size. In the older Barracuda below '70 you could get a slant six or smaller 273 CI V8, as far as big blocks you had the 383,440, or 426 Hemi to pick from. I think the Hemi was like a $1,000 option at that time.:burnout:

[vkirkend]

After around 1970 the largest motor you could get for one of these was a 340/360. It was considered the "big" motor then. I know because I owned two (340 Dusters 1971 and 1973). the compression on the motors was 10 1/2 10 - 1 on the '71 and 8 1/2 to 1 on the '73. Man I loved those cars.....

[PhastPhil]

Gee, I guess you guys forgot about Plymouth. The Barracuda was a Plymouth, and the Challenger was a Dodge. Otherwise the were basically the same car. Much like a Mustang and Cougar, or Camaro and Firebird. The 'Cuda name was only used on Certain high performace versions. The regular cars were all Brarracudas. The Charger was a mid sized car, on par with the Torino, Chevelle, Cutlass, Skylark etc. Were as the Challenger / Cuda, was classed as a pony car with the Mustangs and Camaros

[larryo340]

Gee, I guess you guys forgot about Plymouth. The Barracuda was a Plymouth, and the Challenger was a Dodge. Otherwise the were basically the same car. Much like a Mustang and Cougar, or Camaro and Firebird. The 'Cuda name was only used on Certain high performace versions. The regular cars were all Brarracudas. The Charger was a mid sized car, on par with the Torino, Chevelle, Cutlass, Skylark etc. Were as the Challenger / Cuda, was classed as a pony car with the Mustangs and Camaros

I would love to have a '67 GTX or ''67-69 Barracuda notchback. It sucks that one buddy has two '67 GTX's one 440 and one original Hemi, and another buddy has a '69 Formula S Barracuda notchback, and my '67 340 Dart GT is gone.

[Vortex]

Though very similar, the Challenger and Cuda do not have the same bodies. Take a look at the both of them side by side, you will see the Challenger is significantly longer from the rear wheel well back to the taillights.

[SC Cheesehead]

Though very similar, the Challenger and Cuda do not have the same bodies. Take a look at the both of them side by side, you will see the Challenger is significantly longer from the rear wheel well back to the taillights.

I agree with you on the length, but didn't the Challenger and the Cuda share the same platform?

SCCH

[RCSignals]

Though very similar, the Challenger and Cuda do not have the same bodies. Take a look at the both of them side by side, you will see the Challenger is significantly longer from the rear wheel well back to the taillights.

Yes, as did the referenced Mustang and Cougar. Similar in some respects but very different

[Aren Jay]

At first i thought it was a 70 charger which is similar to the "General Lee". but the 72 looks more like the Plymouth Satelite. Nobody menitoned that though so maybe I'm wrong.

I always get the Charger and the Challenger mixed up but everytime I look up Challengers they look just like the "Cuda" Baracuda.

Anyway the local old car restoration guy who sells cheap!!! has a 72 Charger. He also has a sweet 67 Cougar.

http://ppgmedia.canadatrader.com/ppgphotos/CT200659104558706/CT200659104558706_200762819374 2724-display.jpghttp://ppgmedia.canadatrader.com/ppgphotos/CT200659104558706/CT200659104558706_200611231871 819-display.jpg

[Richy04]

I had several Baracudas.. They came out in 64, I had a 64/65/67 s type

The Cuda and Challenger were on the same platform even with the long quarters on the later ones.

The Dart could be purchased with a hemi, but they were expensive and had no roll up windows, radio, carpet or heater.. My buddy has an original one and they were as rare as hens teeth when he bought it new, prob one of the most valuable muscle cars ever made..

If anyone is interested, a friend of mine has a 69 Camaro factory 427 4 speed COPO car in factory Winward Blue (a Pontiac color) with 325 miles on it for sale. A supposed expert told him that there was no such thing, but when he was confronted with full documentation from day one, he walked away with his tail between his legs. A different division color was a mere 31 dollar option on COPO cars. His dad who purchased it new worked for the Linden Plant and also bought a 69 Impala SS with a 427 at the same time.

So when someone tells you they dont exist, dont believe anything, there are lots of weird cars that came out of factories that there are practically none of today..

Try to find a Can AM with a factory Holley Electronic distributor option (Cap and wires were molded together).

73 Judge (Based on the 455 Grand AM coupe)

74 Buick Century 455 Stage one Luxus coupe with a Paisley interior 7 made with all options.

Pontiac Formula 455, not too many of these around either..

The last of Standard Dusters and Darts came with a 360 as the big engine option... Guess what? A few leaked out with 340's and very small emblems on the front fenders between the wheel and the doors. my buddy owns one in Cocoa Brown with a Tan interior.. Ugly but fast..

73 Malibu Lagunas with 454's.

2 Door Volares with Louvers on the side windows and a full ground effects package= The Road Runner for 77 with a 360 V-8..



Very few of these cars above were ever made and most people wouldnt even know that they exist. There are more but who remembers.... :o

[Bluerauder]

At first i thought it was a 70 charger which is similar to the "General Lee". but the 72 looks more like the Plymouth Satelite. Nobody menitoned that though so maybe I'm wrong.
http://ppgmedia.canadatrader.com/ppgphotos/CT200659104558706/CT200659104558706_200762819374 2724-display.jpg[IMG]

Yes, the Dodge Charger and the Plymouth Satellite were very similar in body style at that time. The Dodge was a little more upscale in my opinion. My '74 Dodge Charger looked very much like the pic above with some small differences that made the quick distinction between the Plymouth and the Dodge.

I kept saying Dodge Barracuda this morning when I replied initially and it just didn't sound right to me. ....... it was a Plymouth .... thanks for the reminder. CRS is creeping up on me day-by-day. :rolleyes:

[Richy04]

I had that very same car above in Tan with a Tan interior and I bought it for 20 bucks.. Its was in perfect condition outside but it was from AZ and the interior from the sun was trashed.. 318 with a/c and automatic. Ran good, sold it for 500 and thought I was getting over..

[1stMerc]

I had a 72 Charger with the 318 bullet proof motor had 160,000 on it before it got totalled, had just got started to seriouly fix it up. Kept it about 12 yrs, back in the day when it was easy to buy tires.

Cuda's were more rounded while Challenger's had a more angular/distinctive lines look.

[Aren Jay]

Anyone wnat to guess on prices of these two?

[larryo340]

Though very similar, the Challenger and Cuda do not have the same bodies. Take a look at the both of them side by side, you will see the Challenger is significantly longer from the rear wheel well back to the taillights.
even though length is a little different, they are both E-bodies in Chrysler's eyes.

[Bluerauder]

Anyone want to guess on prices of these two?

1972 Charger = $5495
1967 Cougar = $3195

My '74 Charger SE was $6750

[Aren Jay]

Locally and in C$ they are asking 6600 for the Dodge and 6900 for the Cougar.

[96DiamondVIII]

If anyone is interested, a friend of mine has a 69 Camaro factory 427 4 speed COPO car in factory Winward Blue (a Pontiac color) with 325 miles on it for sale. A supposed expert told him that there was no such thing, but when he was confronted with full documentation from day one, he walked away with his tail between his legs. A different division color was a mere 31 dollar option on COPO cars. His dad who purchased it new worked for the Linden Plant and also bought a 69 Impala SS with a 427 at the same time.

That man is sitting on a gold mine. He should be financially set if the car brings what it's worth and if it's in a condition appropriate to 325 original miles (i.e. stored in a climate-controlled indoor location etc.)...with something like that, I would think he should head for Barrett-Jackson rather than trying to sell privately...

[Bluerauder]

Locally and in C$ they are asking 6600 for the Dodge and 6900 for the Cougar.

What I posted was my estimate of the "original" cost back in '72 and '67 respectively.

[ctrcbob]

Challlenger and Barracuda were the same car, with slight bodywork differences. They both had the same interior. You could get them both with the 318, 340, 383, 440 and Hemi engines.

Back in January 1970, I wanted a 'Cuda 340, the smallblock verson of the high performance 'Cuda's. Dealers had lots of 383's (big block) in stock (plus many regular 318 Barracudas) but to get a 340, or a 440 or Hemi, you had to special order. Because I wanted the High Performance 340, because it was a lighter engine, and because my thing is to go through corners fast, not drag racing, I ordered the 70 'Cuda 340. Loved it. We (My wife) at the same purchased a 70 Mustang Mach-1. I.E., we had both cars for two years. She liked her Mach-1 and I liked my 'Cuda 340. Both cars got lousy gas milage. Don't remember what we got with the Mach-1, but the 'Cuda only had a 16 gallon tank and only got 16mpg on the open road, so it was fill up time every 200 miles on a trip.

[larryo340]

Challlenger and Barracuda were the same car, with slight bodywork differences. They both had the same interior. You could get them both with the 318, 340, 383, 440 and Hemi engines.

Back in January 1970, I wanted a 'Cuda 340, the smallblock verson of the high performance 'Cuda's. Dealers had lots of 383's (big block) in stock (plus many regular 318 Barracudas) but to get a 340, or a 440 or Hemi, you had to special order. Because I wanted the High Performance 340, because it was a lighter engine, and because my thing is to go through corners fast, not drag racing, I ordered the 70 'Cuda 340. Loved it. We (My wife) at the same purchased a 70 Mustang Mach-1. I.E., we had both cars for two years. She liked her Mach-1 and I liked my 'Cuda 340. Both cars got lousy gas milage. Don't remember what we got with the Mach-1, but the 'Cuda only had a 16 gallon tank and only got 16mpg on the open road, so it was fill up time every 200 miles on a trip.
Yeah,,,,,, but it was fun.:D