What might have been merely a nondescript move by a hapless member of the Chrysler legal department has spurred a dizzying whirlwind of rumor, speculation and frothy-mouthed hopeful enthusiasm. Yesterday, Mopar news forum Allpar reported that Chrysler registered the word “Cuda” as a trademark (registration number is 71316420).

Although the specific reason why is still unknown, it does bare noting that the official registry category is for “passenger vehicles, their structural parts, trim and badges.”

Is this the smoking gun proving the return of the ‘Cuda nameplate to the Chrysler muscle car lineup? Not exactly. Although it does appear to be the beginning of something when considering Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles’ admission that Chrysler has received a lot of pressure to bring the ‘Cuda back and has not completely thrown out the idea. This, coming from such a high ranking officer in the Chrysler ranks is definitely something to consider.

Although the ‘Cuda debuted as the Plymouth Barracuda in 1964 (derived from the woefully unexciting Valiant), the ‘Cuda abbreviation wasn’t officially coined until the exceptionally rare M Code 440 ‘Cuda. The very next year, the Barracuda joined the new Challenger on the new platform, which gleaned properties from both the compact A- and mid-sized B-Body platforms.

The Barracuda (and subsequent high performance ‘Cuda variations) stood on a slightly shorter wheelbase than the Challenger, who both were styling windfalls for Chrysler. Surprisingly enough, neither sold near their projected numbers, resulting in their short lifespan. Yet, due in part to the resurrection of the Challenger, high demand has spurred Chrysler into looking into ways to bring the ‘Cuda back.

Since the Plymouth brand was liquidated a decade earlier, its speculated that any future ‘Cuda be offered as a Chrysler mark. Moreover, as Fiat accelerates its efforts to recreate Chrysler as a luxury brand, it is expected that a potential ‘Cuda will likely be as equally opulent as well as featuring the award-winning Pentastar V6.

As recent reporting has revealed that the current 392 SRT8 Challenger is producing significantly more flywheel horsepower than the official 470HP, an equally-equipped 392 ‘Cuda would be an obvious option.

But in two highly speculative notes of interest, it does bare mentioning that 1) the Plymouth name is still a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC, implying that were Chrysler to choose to do so, a future ‘Cuda could be a Plymouth, as Chrysler still owns the marque; and 2) that Mopar made quite the presentation at both this year’s SEMA and PRI events announcing its all-aluminum Gen III HEMI 426 as “It’s E-ROD,” alluding to GM’s super-successful 50-stage emissions legal high performance engine platforms. The Gen III 426 makes an impressive 540 horsepower while employing the fuel-saving MDS 4-cylinder deactivation system and shaving off 100-pounds thanks to its all-aluminum construction.