Cuda Concept ??

While at the NAIAS and drooling over the Camaro and Challenger, a Chrysler PR guy asks me what I think of the Challenegr compared to the Camaro. After I tell him I want both equally for different reasons, he stuns me by saying.." Just wait until you see the "CUDA" coming. A Chrysler CUDA he says since obviously there's no Plymouth anymore.
Is he for real??? ANyone hear anything on this???


JOHN

I've heard rumors and saw drawings (most likely fake) online. But I think its just heresay. Crystler as a brand is straying from the muscle car look with its sportier cars (i.e.- Firepower! concept, Crossfire SRT-6, MEFour-12). If the car were to come out I would see it as a Dodge mainly (maybe as a replacement for the aging Intrepid?).

Thom Taylor did a neat 'Chrysler' 'Cuda drawing in the latest Hot Rod. Although I'd actually be more excited about a 'Cuda vs Challenger...I'd really prefer it to be labelled a Plymouth.

If the Cuda comes back it's got to be a Plymouth...

If the Cuda comes back it's got to be a Plymouth...
Yeah, no kidding, I wonder how they would pull that one off.

Couldn't they just badge it as a Plymouth??? I don't see what the big deal is with that...Yeah, yeah, I realize the brand is technically dead but I don't understand why it would be a problem to make a 'Cuda and put Plymouth badges on it...

If the Cuda comes back it's got to be a Plymouth...
agreed. I will never be able to say chrysler or dodge cuda with a straight face.

That is just a rumour.

While at the NAIAS and drooling over the Camaro and Challenger, a Chrysler PR guy asks me what I think of the Challenegr compared to the Camaro. After I tell him I want both equally for different reasons, he stuns me by saying.." Just wait until you see the "CUDA" coming. A Chrysler CUDA he says since obviously there's no Plymouth anymore.
Is he for real??? ANyone hear anything on this???


JOHN

Went through this a number of months ago, John. It ain't happening, and it's just a rumor.

To top it off, Chrysler lost the rights to the name "Cuda" and "Barracuda" long ago. Ford lost "Futura" after not using the name since 1980 or registering it as a trademark. GT40 is another name Ford lost by lack of use, and someone else claimed it. Chrysler hasn't used the Cuda or Barracuda name since 1974, and Caroll Shelby killed Chrysler's chance to use it in the 1980s, so unless DaimlerChrysler is going to pony up some big money (highly unlikely) the names Cuda & Barracuda are gone as a car name.

Barracuda is a fashion magazine, and "Cuda" is owned by some type of computer related company.



BTW: In case you were wondering how Caroll Shelby killed the return of the Cuda in the '80s: Plymouth created a version of the FWD Dodge Shelby Daytona which came about as close as you can get to production. The car cost Chrysler next to nothing, and would have given Plymouth a spark in an otherwise dull lineup. Shelby was against it from the start, and when it seemed the car was headed for production, he hinted that he'd consider ending his association with Chrysler if it came out. Chrysler relented. :(

BTW: In case you were wondering how Caroll Shelby killed the return of the Cuda in the '80s: Plymouth created a version of the FWD Dodge Shelby Daytona which came about as close as you can get to production. The car cost Chrysler next to nothing, and would have given Plymouth a spark in an otherwise dull lineup. Shelby was against it from the start, and when it seemed the car was headed for production, he hinted that he'd consider ending his association with Chrysler if it came out. Chrysler relented. :(

Here ya go, from Allpar:

Chad Imthurn wrote: the 1980s concept Cuda was in Mopar Collectors Guide. The white one had red stripes running down the sides that looked exactly like the stripes on the AAR cudas, except that they said CUDA instead of the the AAR shield. The red car had black stripes with black interior and the white one with red interior. They also had the rear window louvers as well as the full ground effect kits from the Shelby Chargers. Both cars were used for a driving school after they were done and I think that the red one has disappered and presumed crushed.

The guys who created the 'Cuda drove it around Chrysler HQ and everbody liked it except for one man... Carroll Shelby. He didn't like the idea of Plymouth making their own version of the Shelby Charger and he felt that it would take away the specialness of owning a Shelby Charger. Since Chrysler didn't want to offend Shelby this early in their relationship, the Cuda was quickly dropped. No offense to Shelby but he was the reason why there would be no Plymouth 'Cuda in the 80s.

Here ya go, from Allpar:

:bow: :bow:

I got this info many years ago (late 90s) when I started collecting automotive behind the scenes trivia. Great to see other sources....

....shows I'm not simply making this stuff up. :D

A Dodge/Chrysler Cuda is like saying a Saturn Firebird.
Why do they need 2 coupes? Could raise the question on how big is this market? Maybe Cuda is something in response to the Camaro since it pretty much blew the Challenger away.

Went through this a number of months ago, John. It ain't happening, and it's just a rumor.

To top it off, Chrysler lost the rights to the name "Cuda" and "Barracuda" long ago. Ford lost "Futura" after not using the name since 1980 or registering it as a trademark. GT40 is another name Ford lost by lack of use, and someone else claimed it. Chrysler hasn't used the Cuda or Barracuda name since 1974, and Caroll Shelby killed Chrysler's chance to use it in the 1980s, so unless DaimlerChrysler is going to pony up some big money (highly unlikely) the names Cuda & Barracuda are gone as a car name.

Barracuda is a fashion magazine, and "Cuda" is owned by some type of computer related company.


According to Trademark Laws Chrystler could still use the name 'Cuda or Barracuda because those trademarks you stated have nothing to do with its industry (automotive).

One example I could use for this is Maxim magazine and Maxim hair products. They both have the same company name, but they are in no way realted as companies.

It would have to be trademarked to a company in the same industry. Trademarks are really tricky when you get down to the uses of things, but in this situation Chrystler could still have the rights to use that name.

If naming is the only problem, why not name it:

Chrysler Plymouth Barracuda?
^------^
Brand--Model Name

Now THAT'S retro! Bringing back a dead manufacturer to go w/ your previously dead Cuda!

According to Trademark Laws Chrystler could still use the name 'Cuda or Barracuda because those trademarks you stated have nothing to do with its industry (automotive).

One example I could use for this is Maxim magazine and Maxim hair products. They both have the same company name, but they are in no way realted as companies.


Or Dove soap and Dove chocolate.

According to Trademark Laws Chrystler could still use the name 'Cuda or Barracuda because those trademarks you stated have nothing to do with its industry (automotive).

One example I could use for this is Maxim magazine and Maxim hair products. They both have the same company name, but they are in no way realted as companies.

It would have to be trademarked to a company in the same industry. Trademarks are really tricky when you get down to the uses of things, but in this situation Chrystler could still have the rights to use that name.

However, the owner of the trademark can challenge this, and has an very good chance of winning.

Ford lost "Futura" to Pep Boys. No one can use the name Corvette without GM's permission, even though it's a class of ship since GM owns the trademark on it. I would imagine that although Chrysler has a shot at the 'Barracuda' name again (since it's a fish), the 'Cuda' name is gone without a healthy payoff.

As for Maxim, though the magazine also licenses some personal care products (yep), Maxim is also used as a name for a pharmacutical company & a producer of integrated circuits.

For more, Click here: http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=373916&page=1 and scroll to number 10.

I don't believe that is true. If that were the case everyone would be sueing for using the name cuda.

http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=toc&state=iehkdd.1.1&p_search=searchss&p_L=50&BackReference=&p_plural=yes&p_s_PARA1=&p_tagrepl%7E%3A=PARA1%24LD&expr=PARA1+AND+PARA2&p_s_PARA2=cuda&p_tagrepl%7E%3A=PARA2%24COMB&p_op_ALL=AND&a_default=search&a_search=Submit+Query&a_search=Submit+Query

Did a quick check. Here's how I understand it:

1. If someone trademarks a name, no one else can use it in the same or similar business. A trademarked car name can't be used on anything having to do with automobiles. The vice versa is how Pep Boys won their case on Futura, and how Ford lost the GT40 name to an aftermarketer. Ford also came darn close to losing the Cobra name this way... the 1993 Cobra came about more to keep the name in Ford than the desire to do something nice for enthusiasts.

2. In the case of a manufactured name (made up), and the trademark is allowed to expire, the company that made it up loses exclusive rights to that name, and it can be used by others. For instance, you name a product by combining your kid's names say "Trishbec" for Trisha & Becky, you have a case against anyone else using that name, regardless of industry. but if you abandon it, it's fair game and you won't get exclusive rights back ever again without buying it. Chevelle is obviously an invention by GM, yet there's a "Chevelle's" & a "Chevelle Inc". GM bought back the rights not too long ago, but can't stop anyone who picked up the name while the trademark lasped.

3. If someone else uses the name before you trademark it, they are somewhat protected and can continue using the name. This is the case with Jeep Wrangler, Goodyear Wrangler tires, and Wrangler jeans. Chevrolet trademarked the Camaro name, yet there are many entities that use the name Camaro.

In the case of Barracuda, if no one in the auto industry (from tires to auto electronics) owns the name, Chrysler can use it again, but can't stop anyone else who uses the name. If Chrysler created the "Cuda" name, trademarked it, then abandoned it , it's fair game for anyone who wants it (as long as their's no overlap).

On the other hand, "Hemi Cuda" is owned by a racing company (though the name was a Chrysler invention), and therefore has rights to that name regarding anything to do with automobiles, but you aren't likely to be able to name your resturant "Hemi Cuda" without a phone call from a lawyer or two.


Not as cut and dry as I thought, but still quite a few legal loops to jump through.

Why can't they just make a new name? A new body, new engine, with a new name?

Saturn Firebird.

Saturn is going to make a firebird????:confused:











j/k

All talk and no pictures. Enough said. ;) :D

How about this one? :-)

http://www.creatingthelie.com/auto_gallery/mopar/images/cuda_rear800.jpg

Thanks NikiVee. Unfortunately, that pic proves that the car is all speculation, rumors, smoke, lights and mirrors. I can only digest one muscle car at a time - especially from DCX. ;) :D

It's my opinion that DCX doesn't need another muscle car in the DCX family to compete with the Challenger - let alone another car based off the same platform, sharing the similar body panels, etc.

How about this one? :-)

http://www.creatingthelie.com/auto_gallery/mopar/images/cuda_rear800.jpg

Next question (after the question of the name). How would you market this??

Dodge is THE Chrysler performance division, and Plymouth is dead and not coming back, and Chrysler's emphasis is on stylish luxury.

No company (including GM, Ford, and any other car maker) is going to go through the expense of marketing 2 identically targeted cars to the same market, especially identical coupes.

There's no credible case for it.

Your job's to make the most out of a limited budget and maximize sales. You have just spent the past 5 years trying to convince the home office to just OK a coupe that is likely to make only a small profit. How are you going to make a case that:

1. It won't canabalize sales while increasing marketing costs?
2. How is it going to be worth the investment in producing different cosmetic parts?
3. It represents the Chrysler division's "language"?
4. It's going to fill a position that the Dodge Challenger can't fill?

I can see a luxury GT coupe, and I wouldn't doubt Chrysler has one in the idea phase. But a Cuda? :no:

You right there is no case for it. The pic was a joke in response to KevinZ44's post.

Wonder if they would do a 'Cuda special edition of the Challenger, just as the Superbee is a special edition of the Charger? (and yes, I know that the Superbee was a Dodge AND that there is historical precedence for the Superbee being an option package on the Charger body).

A challenger Cuda? No, I don't think so. The Cuda is dead

I happen to agree, was just speculating based on what that auto show rep said.

For the record, though I like the Challenger concept (alot), I'd rather see a Dodge Barracuda than a Dodge Challenger.

Challenger was more of a version of today's GTO (more luxury image than raw performance) than a Camaro or Firebird competitor. Challenger attracted a higher concentration of women and sold in far more numbers with the 318 than the 'Cuda did (it's embarrassing that I'm old enough to remember this :lol: ).

Did you know the Challenger actually had a longer wheelbase than the 'Cuda? ;)

No company (including GM, Ford, and any other car maker) is going to go through the expense of marketing 2 identically targeted cars to the same market, especially identical coupes.

There's no credible case for it.



So no Pontiac Firebird and Chevy Camaro? True the last generation models weren't identical but the General kept them both and relatively similar.

How about the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice? Same platform, different body panels. But I agree it would be silly to have a Dodge Challenger and a Dodge Cuda in the same lineup. If they did want to make the Cuda, it would be reasonable to call it the Chrysler Cuda or (grinn and cringe here) Jeep Cuda. :D :D

NikiVee, it looks like the joke was lost on some of the members. I still thought it was funny. :D :D :D

For the record, though I like the Challenger concept (alot), I'd rather see a Dodge Barracuda than a Dodge Challenger.

Challenger was more of a version of today's GTO (more luxury image than raw performance) than a Camaro or Firebird competitor. Challenger attracted a higher concentration of women and sold in far more numbers with the 318 than the 'Cuda did (it's embarrassing that I'm old enough to remember this :lol: ).

Did you know the Challenger actually had a longer wheelbase than the 'Cuda? ;)


The 70 Challenger debuted with an engine lineup that ranged from a docile slant six to the powerful 440 Six Barrel and the 426 Hemi, though only around 300 buyers ordered it that way in 1970 .

I would say with a 440 six pack or Hemi was more than a match for any Camaro, Firebird or Mustang in 70 and 71 wouldn't you say? After 1971 is when the Challenger biggest engine was the 340 4bbl.