Vehicle Description
In the pony car wars, it would be a mistake to overlook the
Plymouth Barracuda, whose stunning styling makes it a dramatic
alternative to the usual Mustangs and Camaros you see all over the
place. With a seldom-seen 225 Inline 6 motor, automatic
transmission, and an honest, period-correct presentation, this
relatively rare stocker Barracuda is a fantastic choice if you're
the kind who likes to color a bit outside the lines.
The cool Bronze finish is a slightly older, driver-quality repaint
that was done so correctly it could almost pass for original, and
it looks fantastic on the Barracuda's unusual styling. Originally a
variant of the Valiant, it, like the Mustang, was designed to put
an affordable, sporty car within reach of a youthful buying public.
As a result, all the Valiant's mechanicals and much of its styling
carried over, although the cool notchback profile makes it quite
unique and attractive. The workmanship on the repaint is good
overall, and as a car that you can (and should!) drive every chance
you get, the quality is just right if you're looking for a driver.
You won't worry about an errant rainstorm, but it sure shines up
nicely for Sunday afternoon shows. Fit and finish are probably
better than new, to be honest, and those unique quarter panels have
apparently never been rusty. Chrome and stainless trim is a
combination of original and restored bits, with all the correct
'Plymouth' and 'Barracuda' badges intact.
Clean, simple lines inside give the Barracuda an understated style,
augmented by a set of comfortable bench seats covered in correct
seat covers that are exactly like the originals. In fact, by the
looks of it, there are lots of original components still in place
in this cabin. Factory dials and an extra auxiliary gauge keep a
closer eye on the engine bay, and the column shifter falls to hand
easily so you'll never miss a shift again. Plush carpets, crisply
rendered door panels, and a clean dash pad make it feel new inside,
and the doors close with a solid sound, not a hollow rattle like on
lesser cars. The back seat has probably not been used in decades
and all that extra space is what makes the Barracuda a practical
piece of muscle. In the interest of authenticity, it even includes
the original Music Master AM radio in the dash, distinctive knobs
and all. And in the interest of further comfort, there's an
under-dash A/C unit that's pumping in cold R134a treated air. The
trunk is a showplace for the solid floors and thoroughness of the
restoration, with every square inch painted and covered with a
correct plaid mat.
Don't underestimate Plymouth's larger, sportier 225 cubic inch
slant-6, because in the featherweight Barracuda, this factory
optional six-banger delivers surprising performance. It's silky
smooth and looks 100% correct sitting there in the engine bay
laying on its side. It's dressed in factory light blue engine
enamel and wears a correct air cleaner and '225' decal. Service
access is great and it's nice to see that everything is factory
correct, sans the upgraded A/C compressor. In the last several
years, the engine bay shows that many of the important stuff has
been serviced and/or attended to, further proof that this Plymouth
has always been treated like royalty. There's a good hit of low-end
torque right off the line that develops into a sewing machine
smooth ride at higher speed, and there's plenty of power to flip
this lightweight Mopar in and out of the corners. Underneath it's
as clean as you'd expect after a lifetime of proper care from
conscientious owners, exhaling through a correct single exhaust
system that has a nice 6-cylinder purr. Front discs brakes are
plenty for the lightweight little 2-door and ride quality is great
thanks to Plymouth's sporty front suspension and power steering.
Factory wheel covers and 215/75/14 Hankook whitewall tires add a
correct finishing touch on this beautiful stocker.
This Barracuda is a cool entry-level hobby car with a dependable
drivetrain and a great look. Call today!