Plymouth redesigned the Barracuda in 1970, giving the car its own platform separate from the compact Valiant it was originally based upon. Sales increased by 50% over 1969, but some versions of the new Barracuda were rare then and now. Such as a Slant-Six convertible with an automatic transmission, of which the seller says just 158 copies were produced. Add to that it is still in the possession of its original owner, and it could be one of the few left. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this near unicorn is available here on Hemmings, where the current bid is $15,250. Another fine tip from “PRA4SNW”.
The all-new 1970 Barracuda shared its platform with the Dodge Challenger, which was in its first year. The cars shared no sheet metal and even rode on different wheelbases (the Challenger’s was longer). Nearly 50,000 copies of the hot new Barracuda were built in 1970, but that would be the high-water mark as sales declined through 1974 as the muscle car market went into decline. Both the Barracuda and Challenger were discontinued in 1974.
This rare Mopar looks like a survivor, but it’s not technically one. The Rallye Red paint was redone in 1980 and shows a few nicks and dings and bubbling on the rear quarter panels. At 82,000 miles, the TorqueFlite automatic transmission has been freshly rebuilt, while we assume the engine has not been cracked open. Some other work has been done recently, such as rebuilding the brakes, suspension, and replacing the tires.
The black interior is original, but the driver’s seat is worn, and there’s a crack in the dashboard. The white canvas top is from the factory, though the seller has lost the boot. Driving the car should be a breeze with power steering and brakes. The seller has retained the invoices for the work performed for the buyer’s validation. The muffler leaks and should be replaced. If you’re looking for a Barracuda that was built in smaller numbers, this one seems to have a lot going for it.
Please leave the ‘6’ in it.
Extremely rare. What a find!!!
Agreed, Thames! And I would also put white wall tires back on it, which I’m sure this car was born with. White lettered tires and hubcaps just don’t go together very well.
A MOPAR car show I go to pretty regularly has a 1970 Challenger convertible with the slant-6 in Plum Crazy. Also very rare and loaded with options. The owner had it professionally restored at least 10 years ago.
I believe I have seen that car, it had power windows!
While the Challenger had a longer wheelbase than the Barracuda, I think they have the same floor pans. Read years ago in Car and Driver in a column written by Patrick Bedard (who was a Chrysler engineer before he started his magazine career), Chrysler designed its cars back then so the shorter wheelbase was always on a Plymouth, while Dodge and Chrysler had slightly longer wheelbase. The difference was in the axle placement on the rear leaf springs. The rear leafs had different mounting holes for the cars This might be the logical explanation, because if I remember correctly, there isn’t any difference between rear floor pans for the Barracuda and Challenger, Valiant and Dart, Satellite and Coronet, etc.
FWIW, Valiant/Dart does not share floors with any Challenger/Barracuda. Some Challenger/Barracuda share floors with Satellite/Charger/Coronet depending on year.
So only 158 Barracuda convertibles had the least desirable powertrain. I’m not sure that’s a plus. It’s rare because nobody wanted it, not because it was expensive to buy, expensive to insure, or of limited production.
Good point. It’s statistically rare, not rare because Luke and Bo crashed hundreds of the existing vehicles(LOL).
It was probably some dealership’s ‘loss leader’ back then. Advertise it for a super low price to get people in the door & once they find out what it has under the hood, they opt for one with more power…and a higher price tag. An old wheeze.
With all due respect, all that matters, is what it is now. What was once undesirable, often times becomes valued for its scarcity. Some car guys (myself included) are drawn to what is different than the norm. A Barracuda, 318 convertible, sold for over 200 grand two years ago. Very few were sold back in the day. My own car is a 69 Big Bad Blue AMX. Originally, nobody wanted them. 195 were produced. Today, there are maybe 17 left. I smile whenever the new Hagerty valuations come out.
Years ago (like 45) I got to drive a friends 1971 Challenger convert. It was also a six, but somehow someone blew up that slanty! I thought that was impossible, but someone actually did it. My buddy got her for a song. His uncle had a wreckng yard and there was an early super six (1975?) with low miles. That went in. More power, used unleaded gasoline. Car had a three speed on the floor and a 3.23 rear end. Yes, a 318 would have been better but that would have needed a new K member and other stuff. I must say, that six with the 3sp was a lot of fun. SS always run well. A fun car he used on weekends and to haul homecoming queens in parades. He moved away in the late 80s and I lost track of him, wonder if he still has it. This car is nice but needs some factory road wheels, maybe the full chrome ones from 67/68 model years. The auto is fine I guess, esp for resale these days to a new generation, but the 3 on the floor was good for us raised that way. Buddys convert had manual steering. Light up front, never needed that awful Chrysler PS. Besides, one only needs it when parallel parking. I like the road feel of manual steering on an old car. Modern cars really are better in that regard. There is something magical about an open car on a country road during nice weather. I don’t like performance cars open. They creak and rattle, but they also kill ther vibe. Converts should be appreciated for the fresh air, wind in your hair, and feeling close to the rest of the world. Why spoil it with speed? I have a better car for that. Wish I had a convertible in my old age, but probably a dumb idea at this point to buy one.
Couldn’t have said it any better.
This car is beautiful as is. Less is more – not everyone has to stroke their ego with horsepower. This red ragtop glides down the road and turns just as many heads. It’s unique build is it’s attraction – a blend of rarity and simiplicty. It has it’s own story best left untouched.
Back in the 90’s I had a customer that serviced a lady’s 71 Barracuda convertible. She had owned it since new, it was a graduation gift when she got here law degree. It was a slant 6 with 3 speed manual. One time when it was in for service I made a rubbing of the fender tag and the only extra cost option was the power top. It was green inside and out. I’m sure its been cloned into a Cuda by now.
Rare does not equal valuable. Pontiac Aztecs are (thankfully) rare. Just sayin’
My mother ordered new a 70 Challender convertible in Banana Yellow with white interior. It was a shocker for my dad who assumed she would drive a nice family sedan with three kids and two dogs. We drove it from Ohio to California and back. It was the first car I was allowed to move in our yard at age 11. The poor thing suffered both my sisters learning how to drive and several accidents. Often wondered if it survives today.
i would leave it as is except find period w/w tires for it or factory rally wheels.
Some Magnum 500’s would really make it pop.
I had a 71 barracuda with a six and automatic and nothing else. The paint was faded terribly, and the interior was sun beat to death. That was one of the best cars I ever owned. It ran strong and got great gas mileage.
I am so glad to read all of the positive comments about leaving this car as-is, and the love for the straight-6.
When I submitted it, I figured all the usual “I would turn this into a Hemi – powered muscle car” comments would dominate.
I agree with Pinto’s sentiment that convertibles are designed for back road cruising, enjoying the sights and smells – no need to get to 60 in 6 seconds. That’s why I will always own a drop top.
225 Slant Six “Leaning Tower of Power” was the most reliable engine. Great original car is a real unicorn!
And, the parts are readily available to soup those up while still retaining the stock appearance, should one desire to do so.
The 6 makes this one a winner for me! With fuel at $4+ a gallon, who could complain? Love 225’s, but they are indeed killable. A friend back in 1972 was given a sweet 69 Dart with only 40k on it. He mercilessly whomped on that poor car. I begged him to stop and he didn’t. That engine never made 43k due to severe over revving. Rust free and in beautiful condition, it went to the crusher only about 90 days after he got it! What a waste! Karma got him though; his next car was a Fiat 124 which never ran!
I had a 69 Road Runner convertible with a 383 super commando power plant. It beat Mustangs all day long. I let a friend borrow it to impress his date. He raced a 440 x 6 Challenge and blew it up. I to say the least was extremely ticked off. He found a 440 2 barrel junk yard escape y that run like shit.
I had a 69 Road Runner convertible with a 383 super commando power plant. It beat Mustangs all day long. I let a friend borrow it to impress his date. He raced a 440 x 6 Challenge and blew it up. I to say the least was extremely ticked off. He found a 440 2 barrel junk yard escape y that run like shit.
Tell us again and again.
I had a 69 Road Runner convertible with a 383 super commando power plant. It beat Mustangs all day long. I let a friend borrow it to impress his date. He raced a 440 x 6 Challenge and blew it up. I to say the least was extremely ticked off. He found a 440 2 barrel junk yard escape y that run like shit.
You don’t say.
What a bag of filth.
My guess on the cars fate, someone with deep pockets will buy it and throw money at a shop to either clone a Hemicuda or turn it into a restomod but either way become unobtainable by the average person.
SOLD for $36,329.
30 bids.