Main Street Rides

According to Allpar .com, Chrysler has officialy trademarked the name ‘Cuda.  For muscle car fans, the name ‘Cuda is hollowed and if Chrysler has trademarked it – well it can only be considered good news.

To many muscle car fans it’s a Mopar or no car.  One of the mightiest of all the Mopar muscle cars ever built was the Plymouth Cuda‘.  The Plymouth Barracuda came in several different trim levels  ranging in performance levels from docile to the terror of the streets.  The highest performance models of the Plymouth were known as the Cuda’s and were powered by either a 440 cubic inch V-8 or the mightiest of the mighty, known as the “Elephant”, the 426 Hemi.

If Chrysler has trademarked Cuda’, it can only mean that the Barracuda may be making a comeback.  Plymouth is long gone of course and Dodge has the Challenger, so it’s likely that if the ‘Cuda does become more than just a name it’ll hit the road as a Chrysler.  It’ll be interesting to see what develops for the Chrysler ‘Cuda now that the pony car wars are once again in full swing.  The most powerful Mustang’s, Camaro‘s, and Challenger’s ever created are prowling the public streets and just when one takes the crown it is just as swiftly dethroned.  Chrysler’s dilemma with the Challenger is that it’s more of a grand tourer than a pony car because of its sheer size.  To truly compete with the new Camaro and Mustang, especially the ZL1 and Boss 302/GT 500, the ‘Cuda is going to need to be a Challenger on a diet.  It’s likely that the ‘Cuda will share underpinnings with the Challenger, but it would be a shame if it’s just a rebadge of the Challenger and an even greater shame if the ‘Cuda simply replaces the Challenger.

The current Dodge Challenger, has the looks, has the power, but it’s a little porky to truly compete with the Camaro and Mustang.  Let’s hope that the ‘Cuda does make it through the red tape and if it does that it’s one bad Mopar!

[Source: Allpar.com]