Cuda Concept ??
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 29
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
Is he for real??? ANyone hear anything on this???
JOHN
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
From: Annapolis, MD
Re: Cuda Concept ??
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?).
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Cuda Concept ??
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.
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 532
From: Jackson, NJ
Re: Cuda Concept ??
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...
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Cuda Concept ??
Originally Posted by JOHN1243
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
Is he for real??? ANyone hear anything on this???
JOHN
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.
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Re: Cuda Concept ??
Originally Posted by guionM
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.
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.
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.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Cuda Concept ??
Originally Posted by Z284ever
Here ya go, from Allpar:
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.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,306
From: Jersey Shore
Re: Cuda Concept ??
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.
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.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 59
From: Annapolis, MD
Re: Cuda Concept ??
Originally Posted by guionM
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.
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.
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.
