340 4 barrel Cuda v Challenger question

[Mark_B]

Hi All,

Does anyone know why the Plymouth Barracuda 340 4 barrel was given the haloed Cuda name, yet the Dodge Challenger 340 4 barrel didn't get the R/T name?

[Burdar]

I think you're looking at it wrong.  The 340 wasn't given the Cuda name.  The 340 was just an available engine option on the Cuda.  The 340 was just never an option on the R/T in 1970.  The base engine was the 383.  Who knows why or who made that decision at Dodge in 1970.  Apparently someone wanted the R/T to be associated with the BB engines.  They saw the error of their ways in 71 and made the 340 an option on the R/T.

You could ask the same question about the 440 in 71.  Why wasn't the 440 4-barrel an available option in an E-body?  The only 440 available was the six pak.

[Mark_B]

Thanks for your insight.  Very interesting and a better way of thinking about it.  I guess I get frustrated as the "Cuda" 340 4 barrel gets the respect and value $$$, yet the Challenger 340 4 barrel (A66) doesn't.

[Burdar]

A66 doesn't have the same impact as R/T does it.

[340challconvert]

Number of thoughts on this;

The standard engine in a performance oriented Challenger RT was a big block 383 (JS cars) Dodge's philosophy  was to install standard big blocks in their RT cars (Charger 440 and Challenger 383)

The 340 was not initially available or planned for installation in the Challenger, then a decision was made to make it an option in a standard JH Challenger in the summer of 1969. The A66 package did not become available for delivery until early September. They never planned initially to install a 340 in a Challenger. In fact the metal hood call outs were not ready until almost December and they had 340 decals on the Challenger hood for September and October and later.

The 383 was standard in the 70 Cuda with the 340 optional.
It was the way that Ma Mopar marketed their cars.

[Mark_B]

Interesting, thanks for the info.  Yet the Challenger 340 4 barrel came with the R/T spec; performance hood, heavy duty brakes, heavy duty suspension (S13), Bumble Bee paint stripe, Scat Pack decal and wheel lip moulding deleted. Same as the 340 Cuda.  I guess the Marketing guys forgot about the 340 Challenger.

[Burdar]

I think I've read where some early cars came through with flat hoods but I've never seen anyone post any pictures of them.

[Mark_B]

A66 doesn't have the same impact as R/T does it.

.
Exactly, the R/T had the grille badge and side stripes. And price tag.  Yet the lighter 340 4 barrel can give a 440 something to worry about down the quarter mile.

And here's a 340 4 barrel (with an R/T side stripe) against a 426 Hemi Cuda.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3KBz4Jhkmc

[Husk Challenger]

I think I've read where some early cars came through with flat hoods but I've never seen anyone post any pictures of them.

Hey @Burdar

Here s a JH23H car located in France sold new in Switzeland back in the days. 340  numbers matching, 727 auto. Sadly i don t have a pic of the fender tag.

[6bblgt]

prior to 1970 all Dodge R/T cars had 440 MAGNUM or HEMI power
***** there were probably long discussions about allowing a 383 MAGNUM Challenger R/T to exist

in today's world, the 'cudas dominate in popularity and value when compared OPTION for OPTION
***** and because of that, the price of entry on a '70 340 Challenger is a bargain in the musclecar food chain

base price: V8 Challenger hardtop $2,953.00 VS Challenger R/T $3,266.00 (only $313.00 difference)
when the A66 package was released it cost $258.90 with additional mandatory OPTIONS (W21 & W34) totaling $56.05 = $314.95
at this point (for the $1.95 difference) -
340 car had: 26" radiator, 15" Rallyes, E60-15 RWL Polyglas GT tires, space-saver spare & a bumblebee stripe
VS
383 car had: 22" radiator, 14" steel wheels w/hub caps, F70-14 RWL Polyglas tires, full size spare, side stripes, wheel lip mouldings, R/T emblems & rallye gauges
***** everything else was the same, and the cost for all available OPTIONS would be the same for either car

[6bblgt]

& for the '70 model year Dodge sold more 340 Challengers than Plymouth sold 340 'cudas 
***** it had to be a success in their eyes 

[Chryco Psycho]

Personally I have a ton of respect for any 340 car & have yet to see a 383 in a similarly equipped car outrun any 340 !

[anlauto]

I think a 340 E Body is more sought after then the base 383 motor.

[benlavigne]

prior to 1970 all Dodge R/T cars had 440 MAGNUM or HEMI power
***** there were probably long discussions about allowing a 383 MAGNUM Challenger R/T to exist

in today's world, the 'cudas dominate in popularity and value when compared OPTION for OPTION
***** and because of that, the price of entry on a '70 340 Challenger is a bargain in the musclecar food chain

base price: V8 Challenger hardtop $2,953.00 VS Challenger R/T $3,266.00 (only $313.00 difference)
when the A66 package was released it cost $258.90 with additional mandatory OPTIONS (W21 & W34) totaling $56.05 = $314.95
at this point (for the $1.95 difference) -
340 car had: 26" radiator, 15" Rallyes, E60-15 RWL Polyglas GT tires, space-saver spare & a bumblebee stripe
VS
383 car had: 22" radiator, 14" steel wheels w/hub caps, F70-14 RWL Polyglas tires, full size spare, side stripes, wheel lip mouldings, R/T emblems & rallye gauges
***** everything else was the same, and the cost for all available OPTIONS would be the same for either car

I figured I'd let @6bblgt respond, as Alan says, ''All I know I learned from him...'' 

Was the 26'' rad standard on the 340 Challenger? That is the first time I read that... Mine does have it because of A36.

Hagerty and other price guides put the value of a 340 Challenger on par with a base 383 R/T

Ben

[340challconvert]

Interesting, thanks for the info.  Yet the Challenger 340 4 barrel came with the R/T spec; performance hood, heavy duty brakes, heavy duty suspension (S13), Bumble Bee paint stripe, Scat Pack decal and wheel lip moulding deleted. Same as the 340 Cuda.  I guess the Marketing guys forgot about the 340 Challenger.

The A66 Challengers had all the RT equipment and were essentially RT's with a small block 340