Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present a very rare example of
this original survivor and beautifully well kept and garaged and
cherished by only two southern California owners since new and
always completely rust free 1966 Plymouth Barracuda Formula 'S'
Fastback 2 Door Hardtop with the highly desirable 273/235HP 4 BBL
V8 'Commando' engine matched to it's original very desirable and
original 4 speed manual transmission with front bucket seats and
with the rear seats folding flat for extra storage and with access
to the fastback trunk and with rare factory options of:Power
SteeringPower Front Disc BrakesFactory TachometerFront Bucket Seats
with ConsoleFormula 'S' package of suspension upgrades, larger
wheels amp; tires, Formula 'S' emblems and tachometerBackup
lightThe car will be sold with its original build sheet, original
Protecto-plate, owners handbook, The car was purchased on
10/12/1965 at the Plymouth selling dealership 'Cole Motors' of
Colville, WA.A recent comprehensive mechanical overhaul and service
was completed at a cost of $21,525.16 at 71,750 miles in 1/2020.
Work included installation of front disc brakes conversion, power
master booster combo, fabricated all new brake lines from master to
frame, replace wheel cylinders, replace upper control bushings,
upper amp; lower ball joints, struts, sway bar links and bushings,
inner amp; outer tie rods, power steering conversion including
installation of all new power steering gear box, install new power
steering pump, install new crank amp; water pump pulley, install
all new power steering hoses, install new Pitman arm, 4 wheel
alignment, replace radiator with Copper radiator including upper
amp; lower hoses, replace exhaust system, reseal engine amp; trans,
R amp;I engine amp; trans, tear down engine to Long Block clean
amp; paint engine amp; parts, replace all engine gaskets amp;
seals, replace timing chain amp; gears, install high volume oil
pump, replace clutch kit, replace transmission mount, install new
electronic ignition, replace water pump, replace alternator,
replace all belts amp; pullies, replace spark plugs amp; wires,
replace carburetor with electric choke, replace fuel pump amp;
filter, replace starter, replace ignition coil, replace harmonic
balancer, replace air filter, set timing and adjust carbs, replace
differential gasket, rebuild rear leaf springs, replace leaf spring
bushings, replace rear U bolt kits, resurface flywheel, remove all
door panels amp; lubricate all window sliders amp; tracks, repair
drivers seat track, perform hot valve adjustment, engine has solid
lifter cam. All service records for work to be included in the
sale.This extensive and fully comprehensive mechanical restoration
was completed due to the cars rarity and as a prelude to the body
repaint and restoration that was obviously never completed. The car
has its original 'Dark Green Metallic' (G code) factory color paint
with original 'White Gold' vinyl interior and has been extensively
upgraded with power front disc brakes and is a car which was
obviously always garage kept with the original floor boards, trunk
and all the typical rust-prone areas completely solid and
rust-free. There are no signs that the car has had any accidents of
any kind - obviously an always cherished car since new!The car has
had one repaint in its original 'Dark Green Metallic' factory
color, but it is several years old and showing its age with
scratches and imperfections and which could definitely benefit from
new paint. The beautiful all original 'White Gold ' vinyl bucket
seat interior is also in quite exceptional condition throughout.
The car has all it's original Formula 'S' logos and came factory
equipped with the desirable and rare 4 speed manual transmission
and center console. The dashboard, the headliner, the carpets and
all the seats are all in exceptional condition with virtually no
signs of wear and tear! All the chromework is also in very good
condition.The original and factory upgraded 'D' code 273/235HP 4
BBL (Commando) V8 engine with 10:5 to 1 compression amp; solid
lifters and a more aggressive camshaft is extremely strong and
powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent! This particular car
drives exceptionally well - must be driven to be fully appreciated
- drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes
or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any
modern day sports car a run for it's money! The 4 speed manual
transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the
temperature always remains cool!Chrysler did not reach very far
when it created it's sporty Barracuda in the spring of 1964, the
new model was basically a Plymouth Valiant from the roofline down
and pure Valiant in power and suspension but it had it's own
grille, fastback roof and massive wraparound backlight and rear
window with rear end sheet metal with a stubby trunklid which
opened to reveal a flipdown rear seatback and security panel that
opened up the trunk area which was perfect for carrying long items
like California surfboards! But these changes were not to prove
enough to emulate the wholesale personality change that Ford
achieved when it rebodied the Falcon as the wildly successful
Mustang. The Mustang was to overwhelm the Barracuda in sales and to
add insult to injury the scenario was repeated when Chevrolet
reskinned the Chevy II as the also highly successful Camaro in
1967! The Barracuda may have well been more functional than both
these Pony cars but it was not to prove as attractive or popular to
the masses.The first Barracudas were built with a 106 inch
wheelbase and came standard with the 225 c.i. six cylinder engine
with the 273/180HP V8 being optional. But it was no match for the
Mustang with it's trio of V8's including the 271HP HiPo 289.
Chrylser was to fight back though in 1965 with the 4 barrel
Commando 273 with a hotter camshaft and Carter carburetion which
bumped HP to 235HP with the sport package Formula S which included
the Commando 273; a tachometer, heavy duty shocks, springs and sway
bar with Goodyear Blue streak tires on wide rim 14" wheels which
replaced the usual 13". Front disc brakes were optional and
circular 'Formula S' medallions on the fenders identified the
package.This is a rare opportunity to own a great daily driving and
never abused example of this desirable and rare 'Formula S' package
and it is an obviously always garaged and rust free example in
beautiful condition throughout! This very rare and highly desirable
and collectible unabused example is one of the outstanding 'Mopar'
designs of the sixties, a true milestone muscle car (1965-66
Formula S) with the 273/235HP V8 engine and a 4 speed transmission
and most certainly one sure-fire investment that's bound to only
appreciate over the years for any discerning classic American
sixties muscle car collector or simply any muscle car enthusiast!
