Attention history buffs and antique-auto aficionados: get your gristly haunches in gear because a landmark Detroit-area automotive attraction is closing its doors.

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The world’s only 1971 HEMI Plymouth Barracuda Convertible will be available at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on January 19, 2013.

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Built by Time Machines in Hudson, Florida, this 1971 Plymouth Barracuda started its life at the shop by combining it with a chassis from a 2001 Dodge Viper complete with its 450-hp V10 powerplant and 6-speed manual transmission. From there, the entire body was refinished to stock form, using 100-percent Barracuda sheetmetal and no fiberglass. Giving the car new life, it was aptly painted Dodge Viper Red.

Subtle details on the outside of the restoration project include Viper logos and a forward-tilting hood, a tribute to the original Dodge Viper setup. Hardcore Barracuda fans will notice that all of the original chrome and trim remain intact while the stock hood sports a set of “Viper Powered” badges from an SRT-10 pickup donor. This gives the Barracuda a clean look similar to its factory form but clearly hints that it packs a real punch.

In order to accommodate the Viper’s chassis, the Barracuda got custom fabricated floors and the suspension was beefed up with a set of Aldan coilovers. To enhance the natural throaty note of the Viper’s V10, a custom dual exhaust was built for the Barracuda. To retain the whole factory-theme of the vehicle, stock Viper SRT 6-lug wheels can be seen on all four corners, wrapped with Michelin Pilot rubber in stock Viper sizing.

All the impressive custom fabrication didn’t stop with just the outside and the chassis, the interior received an impressive 5-passenger to 2-seater conversion. A custom all-steel dashboard was built housing original Viper gauges. Even the seats are factory Viper bucket seats.

The entire build is thoroughly remarkable and can be had for $199,900. The Barracuda only sports 40,319 miles on it.

GALLERY: Viper-Powered 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible

[Source: RK Motors]

With the introduction of the new 2011 Challenger SRT8 392 at the SEMA Show last week, Dodge brand boss and Chrysler design chief Ralf Gilles dropped a bit hint at the return of the Plymouth Barracuda.

“There’s a lot of pressure on us to bring the ‘Cuda back,” said Gilles to a crowd of Mopar loyalists. “The customers have been stomping their feet for it.”

There’s no doubt Gilles wouldn’t have brought it up were it not in the works and with Chrysler looking to breathe new life into the brand while retaining loyalists, we’d expect to see a new HEMI ‘Cuda in the not-too-distant future.

As for the fact that the Plymouth brand has been long dead: that’s just a detail at this point.

[Source: USAToday]