Recommendation Requested

[427_racer]

@427_racer   I ran across this 71-restomod 4-sale and thought about this post
... outfitted about the way I would want one

https://www.americansteelclassiccars.com/vehicles/173/1971-plymouth-barracuda

Thanks for sharing, love the B5 blue.

[70_440-6Cuda]

Well, I am no expert but here is my 2 cents having gone through this exercise not too long ago.  I think pretty much any V8 combination is a pretty safe bet from a reliability standpoint - none of them a very complicated, maybe just some more nuanced than others.  I had a '69 charger with a 440-6 when I was young and dumb and that thing was bullet proof reliable - started and ran EVERY time.

I would start with identifying your budget since that will have the biggest impact on your choices.  Next identify your priorities for what you are looking for - resale value / originality / numbers matching / year / engine choice etc etc.  When I started looking for an e-body I knew I wanted a '70 or '71 Barracuda and that was as far as I got.  I came across a 440 6 barrel 'Cuda that was complete and driving, but very unoriginal and a 1990s era restomod.  I though it was a fair price considering all the cars I had looked at and bought it.  2 years later I am in a completely different mindset and probably would have purchased something different for several reasons.  I was able to get the broadcast sheet for my car and decided I wanted to bring the car back to as close to factory as possible.  Along the way I have changed my approach several times, and have finally settled on building the car to as close to factory as possible with the exception of building a 500+ HP 440, headers / exhaust, an overdrive transmission and putting some wider tires in the back because I want to enjoy driving it.  Since the engine is not original I do not think it will matter, and the rest can all be swapped back to original as bolt in parts.

In the end, I decided for me matching numbers originality is not that important, my priorities are a car that is factory original in appearance for interior and exterior (no aftermarket gauges or seats, original exterior trim and emblems, etc) and an engine with a big cam, a nasty exhaust note and is stop light to stop light fast and fun.

I come across A LOT of cars that fit the bill AFTER I purchased my current car, which would ultimately be less expensive than my build, but I am in too far now.  Me personally, I would opt for a 440-6 or 426 tribute that has a built engine and looks right.  They are out there, you just have to be patient.  If I did it all over again, I would have a $110K budget, take my time to find a well done 440-6 or Hemi tribute, and ask around here for opinions when you find something of interest, see it in person and / or get an inspection by someone reputable.

There was a matching numbers '71 340-6 4 speed car that was being offered for $110K that I had considered, but waited to long and it sold.  I had a '69 Barracuda 340 4 speed car in high school and it was plenty of fun but not sure how the larger e-body would compare with a 340.

Like anything else, be patient, there are cars out there.  I feel like while often it seems people are overpaying for e-bodies, the price never seems to go down so it is a pretty safe bet unless it is priced in outer space.  It all boils down to your budget, listing out the most important things for you personally and what you are willing to compromise (ie a '71 that looks original, but a 340 vs 440).

[427_racer]

Well, I am no expert but here is my 2 cents having gone through this exercise not too long ago.  I think pretty much any V8 combination is a pretty safe bet from a reliability standpoint - none of them a very complicated, maybe just some more nuanced than others.  I had a '69 charger with a 440-6 when I was young and dumb and that thing was bullet proof reliable - started and ran EVERY time.

I would start with identifying your budget since that will have the biggest impact on your choices.  Next identify your priorities for what you are looking for - resale value / originality / numbers matching / year / engine choice etc etc.  When I started looking for an e-body I knew I wanted a '70 or '71 Barracuda and that was as far as I got.  I came across a 440 6 barrel 'Cuda that was complete and driving, but very unoriginal and a 1990s era restomod.  I though it was a fair price considering all the cars I had looked at and bought it.  2 years later I am in a completely different mindset and probably would have purchased something different for several reasons.  I was able to get the broadcast sheet for my car and decided I wanted to bring the car back to as close to factory as possible.  Along the way I have changed my approach several times, and have finally settled on building the car to as close to factory as possible with the exception of building a 500+ HP 440, headers / exhaust, an overdrive transmission and putting some wider tires in the back because I want to enjoy driving it.  Since the engine is not original I do not think it will matter, and the rest can all be swapped back to original as bolt in parts.

In the end, I decided for me matching numbers originality is not that important, my priorities are a car that is factory original in appearance for interior and exterior (no aftermarket gauges or seats, original exterior trim and emblems, etc) and an engine with a big cam, a nasty exhaust note and is stop light to stop light fast and fun.

I come across A LOT of cars that fit the bill AFTER I purchased my current car, which would ultimately be less expensive than my build, but I am in too far now.  Me personally, I would opt for a 440-6 or 426 tribute that has a built engine and looks right.  They are out there, you just have to be patient.  If I did it all over again, I would have a $110K budget, take my time to find a well done 440-6 or Hemi tribute, and ask around here for opinions when you find something of interest, see it in person and / or get an inspection by someone reputable.

There was a matching numbers '71 340-6 4 speed car that was being offered for $110K that I had considered, but waited to long and it sold.  I had a '69 Barracuda 340 4 speed car in high school and it was plenty of fun but not sure how the larger e-body would compare with a 340.

Like anything else, be patient, there are cars out there.  I feel like while often it seems people are overpaying for e-bodies, the price never seems to go down so it is a pretty safe bet unless it is priced in outer space.  It all boils down to your budget, listing out the most important things for you personally and what you are willing to compromise (ie a '71 that looks original, but a 340 vs 440).

Appreciate this write-up. Our priorities and budget are very similar except I'm pretty dead set on a 71.

Have you had the opportunity to drive a 340 or Hemi? And if so, how would you compare the driving experiences to the 440-6?

I'd kind of had my heart set on a Hemi tribute, but recently been thinking more about the 440-6 in terms of driveability and fun on the street with the lower power band. 

[70_440-6Cuda]

Again, I am no expert so others may have better opinions.  For me, a good ol' classic V8 is a pretty reliable engine in general so for me reliability is in the build and set up.  Yes, multiple carburetors can make maintenance a little more involved, but in my mind any engine - Hemi, 440-6, 340 4 bbl, 318 can be as reliable or problematic as the other depending on set up.  If you are talking about a 100% stock engine, I would expect all things being equal reliability would not be an issue (I have only owned a 340 4bbl, 440 4 bbl and 440 6bbl and all were dead reliable, but they were also built well and all of the bugs and gremlins sorted)

As for driving experience, I have only driven a Hemi car once or twice, and that was long ago and not stock, but I did not find it drove any different than any other big block car with the exception of putting you back in the seat in a way only a Hemi can.

I would guess the biggest thing would be if the car has power steering or not - the big block is significantly heavier so that can certainly make a difference in slow speed driving.

Me personally, I like the 440 because it is the largest displacement engine and unique in the 3x2 carb set up, but that is just personal preference.

I would honestly go for a '70 or '71 Hemi or 440-6 tribute car that was already done.  I would want it to have a rallye dash, preferably 4 speed (but auto would do) and Dana rear and a color I like.

Think about how you will be using the car - I plan to drive mine locally around town to a cars and coffee, or a weekend lunch somewhere.  I am in Southern CA where we generally have good weather almost year round so I don't need AC.   My feeling is any '60s or '70s muscle car is going to drive similarly - moderate to poor handling and braking, too much power and few modern interior amenities such as AC or a great sound system.

If better handling and braking are important, or you want modern convenience and comforts (bluetooth, AC) then a restomod would best suit your search.  I know for me, I do not want a restomod with bigger brakes that require aftermarket wheels and interior upgrades making the look different than original, but those are my priorities and I just know ahead of time I have to remember what it was like in high school driving those vintage cars - more distance to the car in front, no blasting through the canyon twisties like I can with my sons Golf.

Point is no matter what engine / transmission combination you choose, reliability will be subject to the quality of the build, and drivability will be pretty equal among models - a mix of raw muscle car power, heavy steering, and an engaging but somewhat unforgiving ride—true to its era.

Good Luck!!