Vehicle Description
1969 Plymouth Barracuda Hardtop
Automobile and airplane manufacturers had developed and used
engines equipped with hemispherical combustion chambers throughout
the 20th century. But when Chrysler made its own hemispherical
combustion chamber engines in the early 1950s, the industry quickly
noticed because these engines produced enormous horsepower. When
Chrysler released its 426 in 1964, it dominated stock car and drag
racing. The following year a street-version of the engine was
released. It became arguably the best big-block of its era and the
Hemi name entered the cultural vernacular. Chrysler shouldn't get
all the credit for designing the hemi; the basic hemi design has
been around since the turn of the twentieth century. Peugeot was
one of the first automotive companies to embrace the hemi design
and it even had overhead cams. These were not V-8 engines, but they
were still hemis. Soon many early race car builders such as
Duesenberg, Stutz, and Offenhauser were embracing the hemi.
Chrysler introduced the third generation Hemi in 2003. It featured
an all-new block casting and cylinder heads with hemispherical
combustion chambers. The Hemi was available in displacements of 5.7
L and 6.1 L. Chrysler rated the 2005 5.7 L Hemi at 350hp and
375ftlb of torque. The 6.1 Liter Hemi was introduced in 2006 and
was rated at 425hp and 420ftlb of torque.
For consignment, a rotisserie restored restomod Barracuda from
Plymouth. This formerly slant 6 notchback is late 60's cool and at
first glance is just a mild mannered family car until you look
closer. Thescoops, (440 equipped caroptions), and the 'Cuda 370
decal callouts on the lower fenders are enough to draw you in and
ask "What is this?". Let's get in and turn the key, when that
modern 6.1 Liter Hemi V8 comes to life and you very quickly realize
you will be going for more than groceries!
Exterior
A respray of Scorch Red bathes straight rust-free panels which are
minding their gaps very nicely. In front a dual opening grille
houses the parking/turn signal lights and the single round
headlights. A nicely preserved bumper is framed underneath. Matte
black stripes race back the hood and end at the twin scoops that
are oft seen on the rare 1969 440 'Cuda. On either side coveringthe
rocker is a black racing stripe which works with chrome trim around
the wheel wells, red line tires, and 15-inch shiny Scorch Red steel
wheels and factory Plymouth wheel covers to help create the look.
Don't make the mistake of overlooking the shiny Barracuda script
call out on the front fenders as well as the fearsome and ferocious
predatory fish below. Just behind the front wheel wells is a black
'Cuda 370 call out giving more highlights to the red. Speaking of
which, the true highlight of this car is the sharply sloping rear
window which transitions into the rear deck gracefully and
seamlessly. A slightly angled trim surrounds a digitaltaillight
deck with another clean bumper below and dual exhaust tips on the
bottom and we have the Barracuda presentation. A nearly flawless
presentation for a rarely seen model.
Interior
A color change for the interior, in particular the seats, all the
while still sporting a factory speced floor shift console, and a
retina searing red gut. The lowbackbomber style front buckets,
courtesy of Legendary Auto Interiors, are excellent, and so are the
adjustable headrests. A clean and like new red bench occupies the
rear of the passenger compartment and both sets of seats float in a
sea of blinding red carpeting. Splitting the front buckets is a red
plastic console with a fine mix of chrome and burl applique races
under the clean dash and holds a small storage compartment along
with the space needle style shifter and chrome lidded ashtray.
Moving our attention to the dash we see vents for the Classic Auto
Air system and the factory AM radio which appears original with its
twin wheel controls. In front of the driver are round gauge pods
with a gamut of monitoring gauges to the right, the speedometer to
the left and front and center is a factory tachometer all residing
in a mix of more burl applique and mirror polished chrome. A crack
free red padded topper provides cover for the dash face and a nice
lacquered zebra grained steering wheel is in front of this dash and
looks great inside this environment. A shout out to the door panels
which are new Legendary coverings. Not to be overlooked is the
trunk which hides the spare tire under a like new gray plaid mat
and we note the factory jack mounted in its home on the right inner
quarter panel.
Drivetrain
Looking perfectly at home under the hood is a retro Hemi Orange
painted 6.1 Liter Hemi V8 courtesy of a 2010 Dodge Charger. A BBK
throttle body provides the oxygen to the Warhart Customs LLC custom
built intake manifold. EFI Source handles the fuel and electronics
management for the engine with their computer and wiring and the
rest of the engine bay and car itself is rewired with Ron Francis
24/7 Access wiring kit. Bouchillon Performance provides the
kickdown cables and brackets for the A727 3-speed automatic and
putting the massive Hemi horses to the ground is a 8 3/4" 3.55
geared Auburn Tru-Trac differential. Keeping things cool under the
hood is a Raceware custom radiator.
Undercarriage
Better than new underneath with Scorch Red covering the near
flawless rockers, flooring and unibody. Any form of rust wouldn't
dare show its head in this clean environment and we note for
structural integrity subframe connectors have been installed.
Wilwood provides the disc brakes on the front and back and for the
ride we see an independent coil over front arrangement from RMS and
in the rear we see a 4 link with more RMS coilovers. Clean shiny
headers snake their way down from the elephant under the hood and
flow into like new dual exhaust complete with Pypes mufflers. Of
extra note is the power rack and pinion steering and the gold race
style deep sump oil pan. You better have mirrors at the car show to
display how clean this undercarriage is!
Drive-Ability
This car lit right up, and we were off to the test track. We put
her through the paces, and it handled nicely, had blistering
acceleration, handling like a modern muscle car and was a
comfortable cruiser. A few frowns reared up during our time behind
the wheel, those being turn signals that wouldn't flash and a radio
that wouldn't broadcast. A true wolf in sheep's clothing here!
1 of 12,757 coupes built, make this fish a bit rare. Now with a
modern Hemi, creature comforts, and all the while retaining the
"innocent" hardtop look, it could be seriously considered a find.
When one thinks of the Barracuda many only see it as a fastback,
but in this writer's opinion the hardtop is where it's at. Here we
have it gracing the halls of Classic Auto Mall.
BH23B9B378302
B-Barracuda
H-High Price Class
23-2 Door Hardtop
B-225ci Slant 6
9-1969
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
378302-Sequential Unit Number
FENDER TAG
BH23:Plymouth Barracuda, Price Class High, 2 Door Hardtop
B9B:225ci Slant 6 145hp 1969 Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA
378302: Sequence number
E24:225ci 6 Cylinder 145hp
D31:A904 3-Speed Auto Trans.
R6:Scorch Red
R6:Scorch Red
H6V:White Vinyl Seats. Red Door Frames
515:Build Date: May 15
144820:Order number
C16 Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C55:Bucket Seats
G33:LH Remote Racing Mirror
M21:Roof drip rail moldings
R11:Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V78:Accent Stripes, Deleted
Classic Auto M...for more information please contact the seller.
