3 Plymouth muscle car icons (and 1 that should be)
Chrysler Corporation launched its budget-friendly “Plymouth” brand in 1928. Its engineers always had a friendly, sibling rivalry with sister-brand Dodge. As a result, Plymouth turned budget “people mover” vehicle projects into some of the most iconic muscle cars of all time. Over and over. Here are three Plymouths that Detroit V8 fans all know. And one overlooked (and underpriced) future classic.
1958 Plymouth Fury (the 1st muscle car)
When Stephen King wanted a car to be the earthly representation of evil for “Christine,” he chose the menacing 1958 Plymouth Fury. This early “Fury” was a trim option of the Plymouth Belvedere. It featured a 5.2-liter (318 cubic inch) twin four-barrel V8 that kicked off the muscle car era. Though you could get the same engine in a Dodge Coronet, Plymouth pulled out all the stops with anodized aluminum trim and buckskin beige paint. The car was such an icon, Plymouth continued to use the Fury badge until 1978.
1970 Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda (the perfect muscle car)
The 1964 Plymouth Barracuda (a fastback option package on the Plymouth Valiant) invented the pony car segment. Yes, Plymouth released it before the Mustang. Chrysler decided to double-down by developing a new pony car platform just big enough for its NASCAR-homologation HEMI V8. Dodge built the 1970 Challenger while Plymouth shortened the wheelbase two inches and offered the “Formula S” suspension package for a 1970 ‘Cuda that could corner better than most vehicles in the segment.
1970 Plymouth Superbird (the outlaw muscle car)
Plymouth developed this highly modified Road Runner for NASCAR. With its 7.0-liter HEMI and aerodynamic wing, it was such an incredible car that Richard Petty left Ford to race a Plymouth. And it did so well that for 1971, NASCAR limited “aero car” engines to 5.0-liters. For the Superbird to count as a true “stock” car, Plymouth needed to offer it to the public too. Only 1,920 were built.
1973 Plymouth Duster 340 (underrated muscle car)
Not as iconic as the three other cars on this list, the “Duster” was a true budget people-mover. This small (A-Body) MOPAR didn’t come with a Hemi. Just a 340-cubic inch V8. But pair that with a four-on-the-floor manual shifter and you have a good old fashioned muscle car.
