What's The Difference Between A Plymouth Barracuda And A 'Cuda? - Jalopnik

Jalopnik breaks down a common muscle-car confusion: what makes a Plymouth Barracuda different from a “’Cuda.” The article frames the ’Cuda as Mopar’s more enthusiast-focused trim, comparable to the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am or the Chevy Camaro Z28, with bolder bodywork, colors, and engine availability. It traces the Barracuda nameplate from its 1964 debut as a Valiant trim with options including a 176-cid slant-six (145 hp), a 226-cid version (170 hp), and a 273-cid V8 (180 hp). In 1965 it became officially the Plymouth Barracuda. Over later A-body and E-body generations, engine lineups escalated—eventually giving ’Cudas high-performance options like 340, 383, 426 Hemi, and 440 variants, while a standard Barracuda could be limited to fewer choices.