by A designer proposed an incredible project: a Plymouth ‘Cuda with a Bugatti W16 engine
In the world of restomods, the Plymouth ‘Cuda has seen a lot: from bodies fully wrapped in carbon fiber to cars with a Hellcrate engine from Mopar. Some modernize the suspension and brakes, others strive for authenticity, and still others just pour money into a project until the result ceases to be rational. However, one designer went even further, creating a visualization of a truly insane Barracuda that will most likely never roll off a production line in the real world.
An exterior that hides a secret
When you look at these detailed renders of the fictional Barracuda by Abimelec Design with the hood closed, it might not seem too different from other restomods of the past. Yes, it is slightly wider than most, but it certainly doesn’t look excessive. On the contrary, it looks aggressive. However, the body is just the beginning of the changes.
Under the hood — not a V8
Under the hood hides not a big V8, not a high-revving naturally aspirated V8 or a V12 from Italy. This ‘Cuda is imagined with the 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 from the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron. Of course, it’s unlikely that there is a sane person ready to build such a car, or someone capable of obtaining a spare W16 from a Bugatti for such a project.
Will the engine fit?
The question arises: is it actually possible to fit this monster of an engine into an old muscle car? According to Abimelec Design, the W16 is two inches shorter than the original Chrysler 440 cubic-inch V8, but about 5-6 inches wider. That is precisely why the front of the car was widened, and suspension components were moved outward.
Details and style
In addition to the W16 engine, the Plymouth is also imagined with distinctive silver wheels and brakes from Bugatti to handle all that power. While the muscle car looks impressive from the front, in the author’s opinion, it looks even better from the rear: with a single central exhaust pipe, like the Veyron. Furthermore, there is a massive diffuser that houses additional exhaust pipes, again, just like the Bugatti.
Unless a Veyron or Chiron owner is ready to sacrifice their multi-million dollar hypercar, pull the W16 out of it, and give it to a workshop crazy enough to shoehorn it into a 1970s Plymouth. This ‘Cuda will remain where it is now — as a render. And that is probably for the best. Some projects are much more interesting to imagine than to try and bring to life.
Such a designer fantasy underscores just how far enthusiasts can go in their dreams of the perfect car. Although the technical implementation of such a project seems nearly impossible due to the cost, the complexity of integrating the engine, and safety concerns, the very fact that such visualizations appear testifies to an inexhaustible interest in combining classic design with ultra-modern technology. It serves as a reminder that the world of car tuning knows no bounds, even if some ideas remain only on a computer screen.
