Zac Quinn 
SpeedKore and Abimelec Design recently released images of a rendering that shows off a car that would be awesome to see turned into reality, the Barra’Cuda. The premise for the idea was simple, take Ford’s Barra engine, place it in a 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, reduce the weight, add some power, then send it around some corners to burn some rubber and swing out the back end. Though, of course, there’s always more to it than that.
SpeedKore Barra’Cuda: Early Details
The car’s body would be composed of SpeedKore prepreg carbon fiber with widened wheel wells to fit a set of meaty tires wrapped around a group of motorsport-inspired ROC-H wheels with a one-off SpeedKore livery by Abimelec Design. As for what lies under the hood, which is prominent within one of the images with the hood removed, is a 4.0-liter Ford Barra engine.
Us Americans may be unfamiliar with the Ford Barra engine, but the Australians certainly aren’t. This famously endearing, 24-valve SOHC inline-six turbo engine found itself in the late Ford Falcon muscle car, and Ford Territory body-on-frame SUV from 2002 to 2016, until the automaker pulled manufacturing out of the region. In its peak form, the Barra engine punched out 436 horsepower, and 425 lb-ft of torque.
The engine will feature a massive GT47/88 turbo and a custom intercooler. Additionally, it uses Motul300V from Motul USA for ultimate performance and protection. Finally, in true drift car fashion, the SpeedKore Barra’Cuda features a rear-mount radiator, a full Formula D spec cage, and a competition-focused interior awash with Alcantara accouterments.
So, why is an Australian Ford straight-six going to find itself into the engine bay of a classic Mopar? It’s all a big word play.
The third-gen Plymouth may have been referred to as the Barracuda when it was new in 1970. SpeedKore decided to play on the title, which Top Gear wonderfully explains. The regular Barracuda models were called, Barracudas; however, high-performance models were called ‘Cudas. There were a few V8s on offer in the cheaper, standard Barracuda, but if you went down to the cheap sets, you’d get a six-cylinder engine. So, by adding a turbocharged 4.0-liter straight six from Ford Australia – otherwise known as the Ford Barra engine – to what was initially referred to as the ‘Cuda, Speedkore created its pun. Thus, the apostrophe that separates ‘Cuda from the Barra within the name.
So what do you think? Should SpeedKore turn this vision into a reality? If so, what vehicles should this drift-focused Barra’Cuda go up against?
