1969 Plymouth Cuda 440

The concept of placing a massive engine in a compact car sometimes went overboard, as seen with the 1969 Plymouth 'Cuda 440. This model featured the biggest engine among its pony car peers, which ironically became its main drawback.

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In 1969, Plymouth fully embraced performance enhancements for the Barracuda, introducing the 'Cuda name for models equipped with 340- or 383-cid engines. The most powerful 'Cuda, however, emerged midyear when Plymouth collaborated with Hurst/Campbell to fit the 375-bhp 440-cid V-8 into fastbacks and coupes, responding to competition from other big-block pony cars.

On the bright side, Plymouth could proudly claim to have the largest engine in a pony car at the time. The 440 Magnum significantly improved quarter-mile times, often dipping into the high 13-second range.

However, challenges arose. Plymouth spent two years figuring out how to fit a power-steering unit under the hood of the 383 Barracuda. While they succeeded by 1969, the introduction of the 440 engine once again crowded the engine bay, preventing the inclusion of steering-assist hardware. With 57% of the 'Cuda 440's weight over the front tires, low-speed handling suffered significantly.

The 440 engine also left no room for the booster required for the front disc brakes, which were standard on other 'Cuda models. As a result, the 440 had to rely on drum brakes on all wheels, negatively impacting stopping power and control. Additionally, Mopar engineers worried that a four-speed manual transmission would lead to aggressive shifting, potentially damaging the rear end. Thus, the 440 'Cudas were exclusively fitted with the TorqueFlite automatic transmission.

Drag-racing starts were challenging due to tire grip issues, and the TorqueFlite transmission, borrowed from Plymouth's family cars, lacked the sharp upshifts desired by racers. On highways, the 440 'Cuda's ample power made overtaking effortless, and its steering and braking limitations were less noticeable. While not entirely successful, the 1969 model provided invaluable lessons, paving the way for future big-block 'Cudas to make a stronger comeback.

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