At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit during the January of 2006, Chrysler unveiled to the world the Dodge Challenger Concept. Designed to compete with Ford’s Mustang and GM’s revolving line of revived muscle car nameplates, production began in 2008 with a limited number of SRT8 models rolling out first. With all the retrofever going around Detroit, some people wondered about another, seemingly forgotten muscle car; the HEMI ‘Cuda.

Based on a 2008 Challenger SRT8 stripped down to its chassis, the Barracuda Concept was built by the same custom shop as the original Challenger concept car. No wonder it looks like a factory job, and for this lovelorn Plymouth fans waiting for a revival that will never come, it represents a heartbreaking could-have-been scenario.

Built by Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters of Fountain Valley, California, the Barracuda Concept harbors the bones and drivetrain of Chrysler’s resurrected muscle car in an all-new carbon fiber skin. This solves the largest gripe of the current-generation Challenger, which would be its enormous heft; most Challenger models tip the scales at 4,000 pounds or more. Even with a 6.4 liter, 470 horsepower HEMI, the Challenger has a lot of ass to haul.

The lighter Barracuda was, however, much more expensive, and the last time it sold was for just under $160,000 in 2008. Exotic Classics hasn’t put a price on this could-have-been Barracuda, but for the die-hard Mopar fan it’s a must-have car. From the Shaker-style hood scoop to the completely-redesigned front and rear fascia, this Barracuda Concept had it all…at pretty much the worst time possible.

Originally slated to launch a line of Barracuda conversion kits, the global credit crunch and recession ended the good times for a lot of people, and this remains the only Barracuda of its kind. Whether that makes it more or less valuable than its previous selling price is up to the collector car market, though Mopar buyers are not known for being cheap.

So what do you get with this concept car? Well for one, the 6.1 liter HEMI V8 that the Challenger SRT8 debuted with, boasting 425 horsepower that was sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. Painted a Lamborghini Pearl orange, the Barracuda rides on massive 22-inch Zenetti “Fives” wrapped in Pirelli high-performance rubber.

What makes the Barracuda Concept especially interesting these days is the rumor that Chrysler may be ditching the Challenger name, and reviving the Barracuda. While rumors have suggested the Challenger could survive, with the ‘Cuda going under the SRT brand, it has also been rumored that Dodge is on the chopping block. That means Plymouth would have some newer company in the Chrysler nameplate retirement home (DeSoto’s stories of past glories are getting old).

It would also give Chrysler a chance to flip the muscle car paradigm on its head. The Challenger is, by any measure, a massive car, tipping the scales at over 4,000 pounds due to the fact it’s based on a sedan chassis. That’s what made the 2007 Barracuda Concept so great; it kept the strong proportions of the Challenger while shedding hundreds of pounds off of the curb weight. Weight loss is said to be at the center of the next-gen Barracuda design.

So here is a chance to get a jump on the other Mopar fanatics, and to put what will surely be a hot item in your garage before the price goes up. While the loss of Plymouth may not have been the most brutal blow struck against Chrysler, the brand had its loyal fans, and the Barracuda is a legendary name plate. We’re glad the Pentastar is (reportedly) bringing the ‘Cuda back into the 21st century, but we’re still pining over this mid-2000s concept that shows what might-have-been.