Vehicle Description
In the pony car wars, it would be a mistake to overlook the early
Plymouth Barracuda, whose stunning fastback styling makes it a
dramatic alternative to the usual Mustangs and Camaros you see all
over the place. With a potent 340 inch small block, surprisingly
agile handling, and a first-rate restoration, this relatively rare
1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S is a fantastic choice if you're
the kind who likes to color a bit outside the lines.
First off, this is a real-deal Formula S, the one that Plymouth
sent out to do battle with the Boss 302 and Z/28. The slick orange
paint is far from a subtle color on a muscle car, and while Mopars
are not noted for their subtlety, the Barracuda still prefers to
let the dramatic shape do most of the talking. Old school Mopars
have an appeal all their own, as Chrysler forged a different path
and created a large group of enthusiasts because of it. Doors fit
nicely, the hood offers cool chrome inserts that give it a
high-performance look without being the usual aftermarket add-ons,
and the fastback shape has styling cues that have resonated with
Mopar for decades. Black stripes down the center certainly help,
letting everyone know this isn't a garden-variety E-body. The
finish work is professional grade throughout, with an impressive
shine on the paint that reportedly cost more than $20,000. If
that's true, it's easy to believe, because this car looks
spectacular from any angle.
Clean, simple lines inside give the Barracuda an understated style,
augmented by a set of bucket seats covered in reproduction seat
covers that are exactly like the originals. An aftermarket A/C
system under the dash makes it comfortable to drive anywhere, any
time, and the wood-rimmed wheel adds a touch of elegance to the
all-business driver's compartment. Big, round gauges emphasize that
this car was built for performance and the shifter falls to hand
easily so you can work the TorqueFlite manually for maximum
performance. New carpets, crisply rendered door panels, and a fresh
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 since the restoration was completed and
folds down to create a massive cargo bay that makes the Barracuda a
practical piece of muscle. And in the interest of authenticity, it
even includes the original AM/FM radio in the dash, distinctive
vertical knobs and all. The trunk is a showplace for the solid
floors and thoroughness of the restoration, with every square inch
painted and ready to go.
We would argue that the 340 cubic inch V8 under the hood of this
Barracuda is the one to own; with not a lot of weight to haul
around, performance is impressive and handling is very sharp. With
a 4-barrel carburetor up top and a traditional Chrysler performance
look with the wrinkle-finish air cleaner, there's no question that
this car has. There's a crinkle-finish air cleaner, chrome valve
covers, and those trick exhaust manifolds that are uniquely
Chrysler. Rebuilt perhaps five or six years ago, it runs extremely
well and seems to love to rev. The TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic
transmission doesn't mind the abuse and with 3.23 gears out back,
it is an easy cruiser on the highway, burbling happily through a
Magnaflow stainless dual exhaust system. Polished Torque Thrusts
with recent BFG tires add the right performance rolling stock to
complete the look.
Given the skyrocketing values of the later 'Cudas, this Formula S
with a snappy small block and a great look suddenly looks like a
very smart buy. Call today!