1969 Plymouth Barracuda M Code

INSPECTED SEPARATELY BY DAVE WISE AND GALEN GOVIER. RESTORED, #’s Matching 440 V8 HP Super Commando. As stated by Dave Wise in his visual inspection report dated October 20, 2018 He states that “this vehicle is an authentic 1969 Plymouth Cuda 440 built at the Hamtramck assembly plant in Hamtramck, Michigan. This is a rare and limited production “M” code Vehicle.” Overview of the features of this vehicle are: Known owner history, Partial original OEM production broadcast sheet, Original OEM option fender tag in place, Original OEM Vin tag in place, Engine: Numbers matching 440 V8 HP Super Commando, Transmission: Number is matching A727 TorqueFlite, Axle: Chrysler 8 3/4”, Highly desirable original color combination. PRODUCTION HISTORY: Plymouth built 358 of these M code 440 Cuda’s for the US and Canadian markets, all of which were 727 TorqueFlite automatics with no power steering and no power brakes (to stuff that massive motor into an A body). They were not considered a regular production vehicle, rather a special “Fleet build” process through Hurst/Campbell, where a combination of 358 Fastbacks and Notchbacks were pulled from the Hamtramck, Michigan assembly line to be fitted for the 440 Super Commando. THE HISTORY OF THIS CAR: Purchased new in 1969 at Whiteys Chrysler/Plymouth in Mansfield, Ohio. The original owner (local to the area) put 25,000 miles on it in the first three years before passing away. From there, the car sat until the late 90s when it was purchased and stored for another 14 years by a local man. One final change of hands took place to another local owner who performed a meticulous rotisserie restoration, finishing in early 2017. This is an original 25,000 mile car, with each owner having lived within 30 miles of one another from 1969 to 2017 and always titled in Ohio until its last purchaser. SOME FACTS ABOUT THIS CAR YOU MIGHT FIND INTERESTING: These cars were scheduled to be built as Cuda 383’s by the Hamtramck plant, and we’re specially handled through the “fleet build process“ and then built as 440 Cuda’s. Notice that 340s and 383s were emblemed Cuda/340 and Cuda/383 respectively, all the 440s were emblemed 440/Cudas. This was probably done by Plymouth to emphasize the size of the engine when it was trying to compete against other muscle cars of the day. The cars were powered by the well-known but sometimes misidentified Plymouth 440 Super Commando engine that was rated at 375 hp at 4600 RPM and 480 ft-lbs. of torque at 3200 RPM. It had a bore of 4.32 inches, a stroke of 3.75 inches, and a compression ratio of 10.1:1. The only transmission available was the Chrysler A727B TorquFlite, with a 10 3/4 diameter torque converter and gear ratios of 2.45:1 1st, 1.45:1 2nd, and 1:1 3rd. The rear axle was an 8 3/4 Chrysler Sure-Grip with a 3.55:1 ratio, 3.91:1 was optional. E70-14 redline tires were standard. 10-inch drum brakes were the only brakes available. Air conditioning and power steering were not available. A console with spherical wood or chrome conical shift knob was standard. Two special parts unique to these cars as well as the 1969 440 Dodge Dart were the left side exhaust manifold casting number 3462017-1 and the left side motor mount. The manifold was required because the 440 was wider and taller than the 383 and thus pushed the 383 exhaust manifold into the steering column. The mount was a rather rough-looking weldment but was needed because the attachment bolt holes were different between the 383 and the 440. A Cuda package included accent stripe delete, two flat black nonfunctional hood scoops, side lower body flat black stripes, flat black painted front and rear valances and flat black 440 Cuda callouts. These cars also came with Cuda 440 SPECIAL BARRACUDA WARRANTY, which was 12 months 12,000 miles. The same warranty applied to Hemi cars.