By Tim Odell
It doesn’t get more fastback than the first generation Plymouth Barracuda. With an acre (actually 14.4 sqft) of fixed curved glass, you could have a decent sized greenhouse going back there…which might be tempting, given the condition of today’s example. However, I contend that under the (substantial) layers of surface grime, there’s a lot of potential for this fish.
[sc:ebay itemid=”181055547726″ linktext=”1965 Plymouth Barracuda” ]
First off, we’re talking about a “Formula S” model, which means it sports a 273ci V8 with 10.5:1 compression and front disc brakes. That goes a long way to distance itself from the hundred-ish horsepower all-drum base modes. Second, it appears to be both complete and fairly non-rusty.
That said, it’s a non-runner and looks like it probably smells bad inside. This is a car you’d have to trailer home and basically take all the way apart as Step One. Depending on what you find and what the owner’s willing to take (as I write this it’s sitting at $50 with the reserve unmet), you could go in one of two directions: leave everything off, get the motor running and LeMons the hell out of it or paint it and put it back together as a relatively straightforward resto project.
Auction ends Monday: [sc:ebay itemid=”181055547726″ linktext=”1965 Plymouth Barracuda” ]
Also, 5 Hooniverse Points™ to anyone who can guess where Gerber, CA is without looking at a map.
Jeff Glucker
You can also fit a hemi under there…
<img src="http://www.musclecarcalendar.com/LV75.jpg">
You can also do massive wheelies with said hemi:
<img src="http://cdn.dragzine.com/files/2010/03/2216355715_d4e0334e31.jpg">
That "research laboratory" is a lot more awesome than the one I work in.
If I had a barn converted to a garage, I'd lay down some cash (the reserve shouldn't be too high), trailer it home, and start the 5-year frame-off restoration. It'd be a fun project, not too expensive on the parts, with an unusual and fun car (at least after some upgrades) as a result.
Sadly, I have a two-car garage built in 1922 when sensible middle-class cars were taller, less long, and narrower than the cars of today, and there's no room in there for what I have now, nevermind trying to undertake a restoration.
I hope someone decides they like this car…
You'd spend the first year trying to figure out how to separate the body from the frame.
*ducks*
😛
"Total-disassembly pursuit-of-perfection restoration right down to polishing and rebluing the smallest circlips."
I was always taught that a vague answer is always better than a wrong one, so I'm going to say Gerber is in California.
If you've always wanted to do full taxidermy on an A-body fishmobile, here's your chance. You were going to have to unmount and remount the glass anyways to fix the rust underneath. And if the interior is completely gone then you can replace the carpet and seats with new(er) ones that are not best classified as biohazards.
From the condition of the car, I would say that Gerber is in North West Cali.
Now, my father has a 66 Formula S sitting in his shop. It ran when parked, and before he got one to many projects on his plate. I am very tempted to send this to him, just to watch him squirm.
It is true that 1st Gen Barracudas had some scary aerodynamic lift issues at high speed, or is that just an urban legend?
It certainly does look like a perfect wing cross section in profile.
Clearly you missed Danleym's picture in the first comment.
"First off, we’re talking about a “Formula S” model, which means it sports a 273ci V8 with 10.5:1 compression and front disc brakes. That goes a long way to distance itself from the hundred-ish horsepower all-drum base modes. Second, it appears to be both complete and fairly non-rusty"
The listing says the car has a 318, and the underhood shot clearly shows a blue engine sitting where a red one should be, so this one is a transplant from some later vehicle. The breather and dipsticks are still red, but the 4bbl intake matches the blue of the block and heads–could mean a cop engine or maybe it is really a 360.
No spark plugs in the holes mean rust and spiders and who knows what else are living in the cylinders. Don't count on just squirting some gas and turning the key.
Good catch on the motor. I forgot Mopar motors are color-coded.
Seeing the plugs out broke my heart. Why do people do this?
That said, a squirt of gas is just what the doctor ordered for pest removal.
This brings back memories. Dad had a '65 Barracuda that I grew up riding around in. He, or Mom, drove it daily from new to 1982 when a potato chip truck t-boned it. That big rear window popped out whole, it was gone but not a shard of glass in the rear.
His was a 273 2bbl with a 4 speed & factory Hurst shifter. Red on red plus a whole lot of rust. That's what you get buying in south Texas with no rust proofing and then moving to NE Ohio within a year.
Careful out there, this fish could bite you bad.
I almost hate to say it, but this is a prime candidate for LeMons. You could probably sell the intact rear window for some pretty good money, and spend that on cheaty engine and suspension bits. Make two of the team members dress up like the Wilson sisters from Heart. There ya go.
The rear window isn't worth as much as you might think. There aren't enough cars still around that can use them, and most of those still have them intact. Meanwhile, people keep getting tired of the bulky glass taking up valuable storage space. The last couple I've seen were $50 obo, and good luck with getting it home.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.ph…
NICE THEME!
Young dreams of automotive freedom
Greasy busted knuckles guide the gliding ride
Tears like rain on curving glass
The plan for mine was 360 heads, 340 aluminum intake,
carter carb backed by a built 727 'Flite,big disks off a C-body
Monaco and custom torsion bars. Never got that far.
There isnt enough Rustoleum on the planet…….