If you are trying to sort out 1970 versus 1971 Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda fender gills, the short answer is that the two years handle the "gill" look in completely different places. The 1970 'Cuda carries its gills low on the body, built into the rocker trim under the doors. The 1971 'Cuda moved them up to the front fenders as a row of four louvers on each side. Knowing which one your car is supposed to have, and what hardware goes with it, saves you from ordering the wrong trim or cutting sheet metal you did not need to cut.
This guide walks through how to tell the two apart, what a correct 1971 installation actually needs, and how to plan the parts order for either year. If you are working through a larger build, our Plymouth Cuda restoration parts section covers the rest of the car.
1970 'Cuda: the gills are on the rocker moldings
On a 1970 'Cuda, there are no louvers on the front fenders. The gill styling lives on the rocker trim moldings that run beneath each door, which have a ribbed "fish gill" pattern pressed into them. From a distance it reads as a styling line along the bottom of the car, and it is easy to miss in photos that were taken from the front three quarters.
Because the detail is in a bolt-on molding, restoring it is mostly a matter of finish and fitment. Original moldings are frequently dented, pitted, or missing their attaching screws, and a straight reproduction set is the easiest way to get the lower body line looking right again.
Our 1970 Plymouth Cuda Rocker Trim Moldings Fish Gills Set is sold as a two piece set, includes the attaching screws, and is listed to fit 1970 through 1974 'Cuda and 1971 through 1974 Barracuda, so it also works for owners of later cars who want the 1970 look along the rockers.
1971 'Cuda: four louvers on each front fender
The 1971 'Cuda is the car people usually mean when they say "Cuda gills." Each front fender carries four chrome louvers set into openings behind the front wheel, eight louvers in total. They are cosmetic and do not vent anything, but they are one of the quickest ways to identify a 1971 at a glance, along with the quad headlights and the busier grille treatment that year.
The key detail for restorers is that these louvers are not stick-on trim. The fender has openings for them, and the louvers mount from behind using back plates and gaskets. A 1970 fender does not have those openings, so a car with original 1970 sheet metal cannot simply bolt on 1971 gills.
How to tell which year you are looking at
When you are evaluating a car, a set of photos, or a project that has been apart for years, check these points before buying trim:
- Front fenders: four louvers on each side behind the front wheel point to 1971. Smooth fenders with no openings point to 1970, or to 1972 through 1974.
- Rocker trim: a ribbed gill pattern under the doors is the 1970 'Cuda treatment.
- Headlights: the 1970 car uses one headlight on each side, while the 1971 uses two on each side.
- Documentation: the fender tag and broadcast sheet are the final word on how the car left the factory. Body panels get swapped over fifty years, so do not rely on sheet metal alone.
That last point matters more than most buyers expect. It is common to find a 1970 car wearing 1971 fenders after old collision repair, or a 1971 car with replacement fenders that never had the gill openings cut. Decide what the car should be, then order to that target.
What a complete 1971 gill installation needs
If you only have one bent or pitted louver, you can replace it on its own with a single 1971 Plymouth Cuda Fender Gill and reuse the existing mounting hardware. If the fenders are new, stripped, or the old hardware is rusted, plan on a full kit. A correct installation includes:
- Eight louvers, four for each fender
- Back plates that hold the louvers in position behind the fender
- Gaskets so the louvers seat cleanly against the paint
- The attaching hardware
We carry a few ways to buy them depending on what you already have:
- 1971 Barracuda Cuda Fender Louvers Gills 8 Piece Package gives you the eight louvers when your brackets and gaskets are still usable.
- 1971 Plymouth Cuda Fender Gill Kit adds the brackets, gaskets and hardware for a complete installation.
- Mopar 1971 Plymouth Cuda Fender Gills Kit includes eight gills, left and right fender gill patches, four gill back plates and gaskets, which is the most complete option for a fender that needs everything.
- 1971 Plymouth Cuda Fender Gills is a reproduction set made to original specifications for replacing damaged or missing pieces.
Installation tips from the shop
Test fit the louvers and back plates before the fenders go to paint. Any trimming or adjustment of the openings is much easier on bare metal than on a finished panel, and it lets you confirm that all four louvers sit in a straight, evenly spaced line. Check the spacing against the fender edge and the wheel opening on both sides so the car looks symmetrical from the front.
After paint, install the gaskets first and tighten the hardware evenly. Overtightening one fastener can pull a louver out of line or crack fresh paint around the opening. Take your time here, because this is trim that everyone who walks up to a 1971 'Cuda will look at.
Frequently asked questions
Did the 1970 'Cuda have fender gills? No. The 1970 'Cuda has no louvers on the front fenders. Its gill styling is on the rocker moldings under the doors.
Can I put 1971 fender gills on a 1970 'Cuda? Not without fender work. The 1971 louvers mount through openings in the fender, and a 1970 fender does not have them, so you would need 1971 style fenders or would have to cut the openings. That also takes the car away from its original configuration, which matters if you plan to show it or sell it as correct.
How many gills does a 1971 'Cuda have? Eight in total, four on each front fender.
Do the 1970 rocker moldings fit later cars? Our 1970 fish gill rocker molding set is listed to fit 1970 through 1974 'Cuda and 1971 through 1974 Barracuda models.
If you are not sure which pieces your car needs, send us the year, model and a photo of the fender or rocker area and we will help you sort out the right parts before you order.
