Plymouth served as the Chrysler corporation’s low-tier brand which was simultaneously the most successful in terms of sales. At the time, the two other members of the “Big Three” US manufacturers, Chevy and Ford, had a stranglehold on the low-priced market. Despite being slightly more expensive than their competition, Plymouth cars often featured more standard features. The Plymouth brand helped the Chrysler corporation at large weather the Great Depression, becoming one of the largest auto brands of the day.
The Plymouth Fury became one of the brand’s most successful vehicles in the late 1950s, equipped with a 303 CID V8 under the hood. Despite declining build quality and overall finish, Plymouth introduced an entirely new styling language for the 1960s which put them ahead from an aesthetic perspective. The early 1960s were a difficult time for Plymouth due to a lapse in brand strategy that caught them on the back foot in comparison to their competition. That would quickly change mid-way through the 1960s with the introduction of some sportier models with larger displacement engines.
The Plymouth Barracuda was released in 1964, initially featuring either a slant six-cylinder or a 273 CID V8. It would later be offered with the 426 Hemi and 440 CID V8 as well. The Belvedere GTX was next to follow, featuring the “Super Commando” V8 or a 426 Hemi V8. In 1968, Plymouth introduced the Road Runner, which was a more barebones version of the Belvedere. The Cuda and Roadrunner would go on to see massive success in multiple racing circuits. With emissions standards tightening and the Oil Crisis of 1973, Plymouth was forced to eliminate most of their high displacement models going into the 70s.
Known by many as the “Giant Killer,” the Chrysler 340 V8 engine is one of the most iconic and legendary muscle car engines ever. Even though it was a small-block only displacing 340 cid, it would take down 400+ cubic inch big-blocks with ease. This was especially true for the 1970 “Six-Pack” 340 inside the…
Since its introduction in 1959, the Chrysler 383 Wedge V8 engine has earned a solid reputation as one of the top big blocks ever made by Mopar. Producing a maximum of 335 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque from the factory, the 383 Mopar powered many iconic muscle cars throughout the 1960s and very early-1970s….
In the 1970s, Plymouth produced some of the most iconic muscle cars of all time. Models like the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, ‘AAR ‘Cuda, and SuperBird, are now some of the most sought out cars in the entire world. 1970s Plymouth cars were powered by Mopar engines, making them comparable with similar era Dodges. However, Plymouth…
Looking back today, the Plymouth Barracuda was one of the ultimate pony cars of the 1960s and 1970s. While the first generation was relatively forgettable, the second and third generations got the Chrysler big-block V8s, and they could seriously turn heads. The 426 HEMI and 440 Super Commando powered Barracudas straddled the line of pony…
From 1970–1976, the Plymouth Duster was a mini muscle car that offered decent performance at bottom-level prices. Plymouth created the Duster to be a performance version of the economy Valiant, and it came with both six and eight cylinder engines. Residing on the Chrysler A-body, the Duster shared a body style with the Plymouth Barracuda…
From 1967–1971, the Plymouth GTX was one of the top muscle cars available in all of America. Featuring only big-block V8 engines with sleek but subtle styling at an affordable price, the GTX stands out as a true icon of the muscle era. The GTX was the first performance vehicle that Plymouth offered, and they…
Originally introduced in 1968, the Plymouth RoadRunner defined the era of muscle. With big-block V8s, basic interiors, and heavily customizable options, the RoadRunner gave you incredible performance and value at affordable prices. The original RoadRunner only lasted until 1975, after which it became an option package for the Plymouth Volaré from 1976–1980. Still, the 1968–1971…
Only available for one year in 1970, the Plymouth Superbird is as rare as it is majestic. Plymouth built less than 2,000 Superbirds total, most of them to fulfill NASCAR’s homologation requirements at the time. Modeled on their Chrysler brethren’s 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona, the 1970 Superbird is one of the most iconic muscle cars…
