New to Mopar and need to know some info

[rnjump]

Where do I go to get data tags decoded? How do you get info to help spot clones? I am attending auctions and am quite unfamiliar with Mopars and don't want to get burned. I don't even know how to tell the difference between Cuda's and barracuda's. If there is a site for decoding info I would appreciate the leads. I am not new to the old cars but have yet to own a Mopar. Thanks in advance.

[69bronzeT5]

Hey there, welcome!


If you want to get a fender and/or vin tag decoded, go here: http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-fender-tag-decoder.php


To spot a Charger clone from a real Charger model, it is all about the first 2 letters on the vin tag.

Say you see a 69 Charger with a R/T stripe and the vin says: XP29.........that means its a clone. Now say you see a 69 Charger with an R/T stripe and the vin says XS29...........that means its a real R/T.

XP=base Charger
XS= R/T or SE
XX= Daytona or 500

Not sure about the Cuda question though.


Hope that helps,
Cody

[Brock Samson]

Cuda is the affectionate term enthuseasts used to call barracudas for short.. begining in 1970, Plymouth began badging the high performance versions of baracudas 'CUDAS,..
for your other questions.. read further and use the "search function" but some folks will be rather quick and only too happy to answer specific questions.
carry a camara with you to take pics, and posting pics of cars your interested in and posting them here will help us weed out the clones.

welcome!

[69charger2002]

welcome to the site! good luck with buying a MOPAR!
trav

[rnjump]

Dang that was fast. Good to know some of this. I hate to start something that wont turn up anything, but a guy came to my house last night to purchase an ATV and the talk quickly turned to old cars. I showed him some I had and told him I was searching for a 440 cuda. He told me that the Fed-Ex driver told him of a dust covered Challenger in a barn and when he went to check it out it was an orange 440-6 Cuda. The owner was a bit of an old guy and refused to sell though he had recently let a few other mopars sell. It seemed similar to the story on Cudaworld.com. I don't know much more than that and the fella at my house was gonna try and be the first to purchase if it ever became for sale so he did not elaborate much. Makes for a good story anyway. I did have a friend buy a Superbird out of a barn from a tip from a UPS driver.

[69bronzeT5]

He told me that the Fed-Ex driver told him of a dust covered Challenger in a barn and when he went to check it out it was an orange 440-6 Cuda.

Hi Im Cody, I have a site dedicated to Mopars that are sitting in barns and yards and etc etc. If you get pics, post em up

[Brock Samson]

yeah the delivery guys would be quick to spot them

[69bronzeT5]

yeah the delivery guys would be quick to spot them

yea, my dad was a mailman in Victoria...he found so many cars. The only cars I remember was a 69 & 68 Charger in the same driveway, 2- 70 Cudas in a driveway and a 70 Plum crazy purple Superbee rotting in some guys driveway.


The guy with the Chargers moved and I later saw the 68 driving around and last summer, I saw the 69 at the drag strip. The Cudas are gone (pretty sure the guy moved) and the Superbee, its gone too.

[Ghoste]

Just to be technical (or is it anal?) about it, beginning in 1970 Plymouth didn't just "badge" the performance models as Cudas, they were separate models.  A Barracuda will be BH and a Cuda form 70 to 74 will be BS in the vin.

[69CoronetRT]

I think you'll find Mopar used the term 'Cuda earlier than 70 such as the 69 A body with A57 package. They came with 'Cuda stripes.

[Ghoste]

But it was still based on the same model in 69. Beginning with 1970 was when it became it's own model.

[69_500]

I think your right, I think that 1970 was the first year to distinguish between the 'Cuda and the Barracuda as entirely different models.

[69CoronetRT]

But it was still based on the same model in 69. Beginning with 1970 was when it became it's own model.

I agree...the way the thread was going, it made it sound like the term 'Cuda used in reference to a performance version of a Barracuda wasn't used until '70. I was just being techincal....

[Brock Samson]

A57 package what's that?..
post a link.. 

[69CoronetRT]

A57 package what's that?..
post a link.. 

In addition to the Formula S version of the Barracuda, Mopar issued the A56 340 and A57 383 'Cuda option in 69. While similar to the Formula S option with suspension upgrades, the A56/A57 option used a 'Cuda decal on the front fender and hood scoops. All of them were 4 speeds. The 1969 A13 440 option also carried the 'Cuda badging but they were automatics.

Here's an A13 car for sale so you can see the scoops and the decal on the front fender. The wheels are wrong. http://www.classiccars.com/Classifieds/Listing.aspx?data=B290BDE54C4F705818B47AB0366986AEB9425BD3E5087A0E30BA1C178005CF5E&cs=11