Plymouth Barracuda, Barracuda for Sale
Ranked #696 in Cars, #39,484 overall
Plymouth Barracuda - America's First Pony Car
The Plymouth Barracuda was introduced in early 1964 as a fast back version of the Plymouth Valiant. Engine options included 2 versions of the Slant Six (either 170 or 225 c.i.) and 2 versions of the Mopar 273 (either 2-bbl or 4-bbl). For the 1967 model year the Barracuda was completely redesigned. It was still an A Body but it didn't share any sheet metal with the Valiant. A big block was available as an option for the first time. For 1970, the Barracuda was again completely redesigned. Engine options were expanded to include 2 versions of Mopar's 440 big block and the 426 Street Hemi. After 1970, performance dropped each year through 1974, which was the final year of production for the Plymouth Barracuda. It's run may have been short, but it is one of the sweetest pony/muscle cars ever made.
Barracuda beats Mustang
The Plymouth Barracuda was introduced 2 weeks before Ford's Mustang, making the 'Cuda, not the 'Stang, the first Pony Car. In spite of being first, the Barracuda's popularity never came close to matching the Mustang's.
1964 - 1966 Barracuda
Most people think of the Ford Mustang as the first pony car, but the Plymouth Barracuda beat the Mustang to market by 2 weeks, making the Barracuda the first pony car. Being first didn't help much, as the Mustang sold almost 30 times as many units the first year of production (680,989 vs. 23,433). The Mustang had sportier looks than the Valiant-based Barracuda, along with a high revving 289 engine option. The 1964 - 1966 Barracudas were based on the Plymouth Valiant, adding a fast back roof for a sportier look. Other than the roof, rear quarter panels and deck lid, most sheet metal was shared with the Valiant. The early Barracudas were light weight and had great handling. The 1964-66 Barracudas did very well in SCCA racing and were also somewhat successful in drag racing. The most famous drag race Barracuda of the era was the Hurst Hemi Under Glass.
1964 Plymouth Barracuda
America's First Pony Car
The 1964 Plymouth Barracuda was America's first pony car, beating the Ford Mustang to market by 2 weeks. The first Barracuda was really just a Plymouth Valiant with a different rear window and grill. In fact, the first Barracudas were referred to as Valiant Barracudas and had a Valiant badge on the front fenders. 1964 was the last year that Mopar offered their Pushbutton shift option on cars with automatic transmissions, so if you want a first generation Barracuda with the Pushbutton shifter, you'll want to get a '64. The base engine for the 1964 Barracuda was a 170 c.i. Slant Six (a 225 Slant Six was optional), and the most powerful engine available in the Barracuda for 1964 was a 2-bbl version of Chrysler's 273 small block. 1965 Plymouth Barracuda
The Barracuda gets more power...
For 1965 the Barracuda became a separate model from the Valiant even though they still shared almost all sheet metal. Styling changes from 1964 were minimal. The 1965 Plymouth Barracuda got a Barracuda badge for the trunk lid, slightly updated grill, and not much else. Performance changes were more substantial. The 225 Slant Six became the base engine, and a 4-bbl version of the 273 V8 was offered as an option. The Formula S Barracuda was offered for the first time in 1965 and included the 273 Commando V8, upgraded suspension, larger wheels and tires, special emblems and a tachometer. 1965 was also the first year that disc brakes and factory installed air conditioning were available on the Barracuda. 1966 Plymouth Barracuda
The Barracuda gets more refined...
The 1966 Plymouth Barracuda was the last of the Valiant-based Barracudas. The 1966 Barracuda got new taillights, slightly modified rear quarter panels, new front fenders, new grill, new bumpers, and a new dashboard. All of these changes combined to produce the cleanest looking version of the first generation Barracudas. The dashboard had room for an oil pressure gauge and tachometer (on models so equipped) for the first time, but a more interesting option was a factory installed vacuum gauge in place of the tachometer. 1966 was also the first year a center console was available in the Barracuda. Building a First Generation Barracuda
Thoughts on building a 1964 - 1966 Plymouth Barracuda...
The first generation Barracuda is the most affordable of the Barracudas. It's a fun car to drive and handles OK compared to other cars of the same era. Parts availability can be a problem for some items. Other things to consider are the narrow engine bay (headers can be a problem), limited clearance for larger rear tires, factory brakes (single pot master cylinder), and small lug bolt pattern. All of these can be upgraded, but it can get expensive... That said, the early Barracuda can be made into a really nice street car if you are willing to live with its limitations. My 66 is fun to drive and turns a lot of heads. The suspension is simple and the 1964-66 Barracuda responds well to suspension mods outlined in "Make Your car Handle" and similar books.
1967 - 1969 Barracuda
The 1967 - 1969 Barracuda offered many changes and improvements over the first generation Barracudas. The Barracuda was completely restyled for 1967 and no longer shared any sheet metal with the Plymouth Valiant. The second generation Barracuda was offered in 3 configurations - coupe, convertible, and fastback. The styling was a lot sportier than the earlier Barracudas (especially the fast back) and the engine bay was now large enough to hold a big block.Second Generation Barracuda
1967 - 1969 Plymouth Barracuda
The second generation Barracuda has many improvements over the earlier cars including better tire clearance and a dual master cylinder. Most important is the wider engine compartment that makes fitting headers much easier and it will even take a big block. You also get your choice of body styles. The second generation Barracuda is a little more expensive than the 1964 - 66 cars but if you're planning heavy performance modifications it might be cheaper to build in the long run. Like the 1964-66 Barracuda, the later cars respond well to suspension mods outlined in "Make Your car Handle" and similar books. Just don't expect great handling if you have a heavy big block between the fenders.
1967 Plymouth Barracuda
Meet the new Barracuda...
The 1967 Plymouth Barracuda was the first Barracuda to offer a big block engine as an option. Those who ordered the Formula S package could substitute a 383 for the 273 Commando. Other than the 383, engine choices for 1967 were the same as in 1966. 1967 was also the first year the Barracuda was offered in notchback and convertible versions, but the fastback was by far the best looking of the three. 1968 Plymouth Barracuda
More power upgrades for the Barracuda...
Styling changes for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda were minor, but there were many changes in engine options. Chrysler's new 318 replaced the 2-bbl 273 as the base V8 and the 340 replaced the 4-bbl 273. The 383 was upgraded from 280 hp to 300 hp. The most exciting news for the 1968 Barracuda though was the special production of 50 Hemi powered fastback Barracudas. This wasn't a Street Hemi, but the full racing version of the Hemi. These cars also had special lightweight glass windows, fiberglass fenders, lightweight seats, and a hood scoop. Sound deadener, back seats, and other street equipment was left off to reduce weight even further. Even though these were race cars, they were sold through regular Chrysler dealerships. 1970 - 1974 Barracuda
For 1970 the Barracuda was completely redesigned again and the result was the most beautiful muscle car ever made.1970 Plymouth Barracuda
The Sexiest Muscle Car Ever...
For 1970, the Barracuda was again completely redesigned. Plymouth finally got the styling down right, and the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda is the most beautiful muscle car of all time. 1970 was also the peak performance year for the Barracuda with both the 440 Six Pack and the 426 Street Hemi offered as options for the first time. In my opinion though, the hottest Barracuda in 1970 had small block power. The AAR Cuda was a street version of the racing 'Cudas driven by Dan Gurney and Swede Savage in the 1970 SCCA Trans Am Series. The AAR Cuda featured a beefed up suspension, fiberglass hood with functional hood scoop, front and rear spoilers, special graphics, and a Six Pack intake on the 340.
1971 Plymouth Barracuda
The Barracuda gets more agressive styling...
The 1971 Plymouth Barracuda featured a new grill, new taillights, and "gills" on the front fenders. The new grill had 4 headlights instead of 2 and was very aggressive looking. The 340 Six Pack and 440 4-bbl engine were gone, but all other engine options were the same as they were for the 1970 Barracudas.
1972 - 1974 Plymouth Barracuda
Twilight years for the Barracuda...
The 1972 Plymouth Barracuda marked the beginning of the end of the Barracuda. Big blocks were no longer offered.
Third Generation Barracuda
1970 - 1974 Plymouth Barracuda
The third generation Barracuda is a completely different car and no longer based on Mopar's A-Body platform. The 1970 - 1974 Barracuda is one of the most beautiful American cars ever made. Unfortunately they are also expensive. If you can afford one they make a great street or race car, just don't use it as a daily driver. It would be too hard to replace if it got wrecked or stolen.
Maximize Your 1970 - 1974 Barracuda
Get More Power from Your Big Block Mopar
Finding a Plymouth Barracuda For Sale
They're actually getting more affordable and easier to find...
The best place to find a Barracuda for sale is on the Internet, either eBay or various forums (i.e. For A Bodies Only). While some Muscle Cars are getting more and more difficult to find and continuing to go up in price, I've found it easier to find nice Plymouth Barracudas for sale than it was a couple of years ago. Also, because of the down economy, prices are also coming down into a more reasonable range even for the E Body models. I'm sure they won't stay down too long though, so if you've always lusted after a '70 Cuda now is probably the time to buy. I've seen very nice examples on eBay for $36K to $50K (OK I know it's not "cheap" but at least it's not obscene like prices were a few years ago). The first generation Barracudas are still the most affordable, but restoration parts can be a pain to find and there are challenges to overcome if you want to update the drive train. It's hard to beat the "bang for the buck" factor though, and the 1964 - 1966 Barracudas are fun cars to own and drive. The mid series Barracudas (1967 - 1969) are a little cheaper than the E Bodies but a little more than the first gen Barracudas. They are still A Bodies but larger than the 64 - 66 models so it's a lot easier to fit different engines (Mopar's big block will fit), headers, etc.
Plymouth Barracuda For Sale
Please Sign My Guestbook
Do you have any Barracuda stories to share?
Thanks for visiting my lens. I hope you found the information useful. Please leave your comments or rating, I value all feedback and suggestions.
submit
-
Reply
-
GrowWear
Sep 13, 2011 @ 9:39 pm | delete
- Love that '68 convertible.
-
-
Reply
-
sabrebIade
Apr 19, 2011 @ 5:25 pm | delete
- I love the old Chargers, Challengers, Barracudas and Road Runners!
-
-
Reply
-
pubspy
Jan 5, 2011 @ 12:48 pm | delete
- Always wanted one of these or a Roadrunner / Charger? Live in the UK and not too much american muscle over here. I did have a Trans Am years ago.
Should get some more over here I say.
Great lens, thanks
-
-
Reply
-
javrsmith
Dec 16, 2010 @ 12:11 pm | delete
- I had a 1969 Barracuda for quite a few years. The original 318 worked well until I cracked the block. (Always check your antifreeze.) The 340 replacement engine was awesome.
-
-
Reply
-
Darrell Ladnier
Nov 4, 2010 @ 11:25 am | delete
- I am looking for value for my 64 & 66 Barracudas...the 64 is a push-button automatic, 273 V8...66 column automatic w/original a/c. 273 V8...pls let know what these cars are worth...thanks
-
- Load More
Mopar Muscle
Barracudas and other Mopar Muscle Car History
by xiaohuaz
xiaohuaz
I've been a Mopar lover all my life. My first car was a 1970 Barracuda. It was just a 2 door Coupe with a 318, but it was painted Hemi Orange and had... more »
- 14 featured lenses
- Winner of 6 trophies!
- Top lens » Taxpayer ID Number
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Station Wagon, Classic Station Wagons, Old Station Wagons for Sale Station Wagon, Classic Station Wagons, Old Station Wagons for Sale
- Plymouth Scamp Plymouth Scamp
- My Barracuda Car | Valiant Barracuda My Barracuda Car | Valiant Barracuda
- Plymouth Fury Plymouth Fury
- Mopar 340 Six Pack Mopar 340 Six Pack
- Plymouth Barracuda Plymouth Barracuda
