When a seller makes a bold claim about rarity in a sale listing, it is easy to view such claims with a grain of salt. That was how I initially felt when I read the advertisement for this 1971 Plymouth Barracuda. The owner states that its drivetrain combination is rare, and a spot of investigation on my part seems to support this claim. The Barracuda runs and drives and holds the promise of a rewarding restoration project where the finished car will possess a perfect combination of good looks and performance. If this is all sounding hard to resist, you will find the Plymouth located in Constantia, New York, and listed for sale here on eBay. Some frantic bidding has pushed the price to $21,100, but this is short of the reserve. I once again need to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for demonstrating his ability to spot rare and desirable classics for us.
There’s a bit to unpack with this Plymouth, but before we reach the nitty-gritty, we probably need to confront the question of paint color. The owner claims that the Barracuda rolled off the production line wearing Amber Sherwood Metallic paint and that its previous owner performed a color change to its existing shade. He supplies a copy of the original Broadcast Sheet, and this immediately contradicts this claim. It shows a Paint Code of “GF7,” which equates to Ivy Green. It appears that the driver’s door has been replaced at some point, and this shows evidence of the shade that the owner claimed was original. That could be the source of his confusion. With that out of the way, we now need to examine this classic in finer detail. It appears to be complete, although someone has swapped a few hanging panels beyond that door. These include the hood and trunk lid, and I wouldn’t rule out others. The body has accumulated a collection of minor dings and dents, but these appear repairable. There is some of the usual rust visible in the lower extremities, like the rear quarter panels, but once again, it doesn’t look that bad. The supplied photos reveal a rusty trunk pan that is beyond salvation, and there is no information on the state of the floors and frame. There is a very big “however” with this Plymouth that will bear investigation. The bottoms of both A-pillars appear to have significant rust where they meet the rockers, which is a worry. These need to be perfect for maintaining structural integrity and for ensuring safety. This is one aspect of the restoration where the buyer cannot compromise, and it may require a specialist to return the vehicle to a safe state. The glass generally looks good, but some of the trim will need to be restored or replaced.
This is the point in this Plymouth’s story where we need to discuss its rarity. The owner claims that it is 1-of-5 Barracuda’s built in the 1971 model year to feature the 383ci HP V8, a four-speed manual transmission, and fixed rear windows. I checked a couple of different resources, and this figure seems to gel. Rarer still was the same configuration with a three-speed because Plymouth produced a mere two of those. Therefore, the owner’s claim appears to be valid. This was a potent package in its day, allowing the Barracuda to blitz the ¼ mile in 14.8 seconds. For purists, the news here remains positive because not only is this a numbers-matching survivor, but it runs and drives. It isn’t clear whether the vehicle is roadworthy, but it seems that from a mechanical standpoint, the buyer will commence any restoration work with a mechanically healthy foundation.
If the Barracuda’s body needs some loving, the story is no different when we open the doors and survey the interior. The original owner ordered the car with Rally gauges, bucket seats, a console, and the awesome pistol grip shifter. All of these items remain intact, but there’s a lot that the buyer will need to do if this interior is to sparkle once again. The upholstered surfaces have deteriorated beyond the point of no return, as have the carpet, dash pad, and faux-woodgrain trim. Aftermarket additions include a column-mounted tach and a radio/cassette player in place of the factory radio. Interior trim for Mopar products tends to be more expensive than for Ford or GM offerings, but restoring an interior like this remains worth the effort and expense. Returning this interior to its best is unlikely to leave any change from $2,000, but it represents a one-off expense. If the buyer completes the work utilizing high-quality parts and the car is treated with respect, the trim and upholstered surfaces shouldn’t require anything beyond regular cleaning for many decades to come.
The owner makes a bold claim about the rarity of this 1971 Plymouth Barracuda, and it seems to stand up to scrutiny. With more than a week remaining on his eBay listing, the car has already attracted an impressive forty-three bids. It appears that many people like what they see, and they don’t seem fazed by the issues with the A-pillars. This will undoubtedly be a car that combines good looks and fearsome performance once the buyer puts down the tools for the final time on this project build. With what you’ve seen and know about this classic, are you tempted to join the bidding war?
Correction: This car does not have the Rallye gauge package, only the standard one. As stated, the rust in the front corners of the rockers is very worrisome. There also appear to be some modifications to the rear quarters as well. This one has the potential to be a great restoration, or a great money pit to get there! GLWTA!! :-)
One side of the car has the “hockey stick” 383 and the other side has the “billboard” 383…betcha that’s a one of one combo…
LR fender has been replaced. Hockey stick was ’70 only. Billboards were ’71 replacement.
21k and reserve not met? Mopar mania is alive and well. Lot of money for a LOT of rust. If ya have a broom and ya replace the handle today and the brush tomorrow is it the same broom? Too far gone to make sense for me at those kind of numbers. Apparently several bidders think I’m wrong though. Lol
I call it BJDS…Berrett Jackson Derangement Syndrome. LOL
@TA
It’s spelled Barrett.
Interesting car and as such will fetch big $$ and show up ay BJ for well over 6 figures.
That said, a correction “A” pillars attach to the firewall, not quarter panels
Haha we are funny people, 99 people out of 100 will want a rear window that actually works and not a fixed window. And probably 90 out of a hundred will pull the 3 speed in favor of the 4 speed. Fast forward 50 years and more focus goes on quirky dood dads ,and lesser options than sheet metal condition! Although i do think and know this car is greaT , with the frantic bidding it makes a clone a more realistic and appealing option as i certainly wouldn’t ( and couldn’t) get caught holding the bag
Pull the three speed?
The listing says it’s a four speed.
Now in English
Here we go again! Rust bucket Mopar going for big bucks and it has the missing 71 special fenders! This car is a mess and God knows what it looks like under it! 🙄
It’s not missing the fenders, it’s a Barracuda. The fender gills where Cuda only. But I was thrown off by the optional HP 383, which was the standard drivetrain on a Cuda. That’s when I realized it was a Barracuda ( someone was trying to save on insurance) But as far as overpriced ABSOLUTLY!!!
Stephen Miklos, it’s not missing the fenders…it’s supposed to be that way. It’s not a ‘Cuda, it’s a Barracuda.
Oh, THAT’s why it’s one-of-five. I was really wondering why a ‘Cuda with the standard 383/4-speed would be so rare. It’s the base model with the biggest engine, and obviously nearly all of those were automatics. Got it.
I guess I am showing my age here, but our hobby was better off BEFORE Barrett Jackson and internet bidding, as the bidding war on this mope proves. I am all in when it comes to saving these classics, but ground it in reality. At this rate, the everyday joe will be building models again!!
Lol
LOL that’s exactly where I’m at since early summer. Bought a model, was cheap as crap! Not like the days of old. So found an ‘older’ early 70’s one on ebay where the quality was spot on back then. So now I have the ‘muscle collection’ I’ve always wanted! A ’57 Nomad, a ’69 Z-28 & a ’66 GTO. People ask what I do during my retirement, I tell them while trying best to hold a straight face I ‘restore & build old classic muscle cars’ LOL, ‘from the frame off’!! One market I won’t get priced out of. At least I hope not.
I am with you. I bought a 64 bug, finished her and started a 85 Chevy square body. Now those darn prices are climbing. Tried to buy a 70 Firebird but even rust buckets where $$$, so I am going for Revelle models. Lol
Over $26k now, with reserve not met.
there are people in this world with more money than brains. And they get in the car buying business and screw it up for us normal people
I don’t understand the fascination with these cars , they were junk brand new, the interiors were crap, they did not handle stock, great for burning rubber but that’s about it. Engine were ok but weight balance was off. Better off spending money on a Corvette. Then you would have a good handling package and good performance talking 96 and up for way less money
What Geoff A said. I worked at a Chrysler Plymouth dealer when this junk was new. Junk then. Certainly a pile of crap now. 1 of 5. So what. Puke green interior and a 383. WOW. Almost at $28,000. You are far better off buying Space X stock.
George, you never disappoint. I knew that you would be chiming in with the word junk. Or garbage. New stuff, old stuff, you don’t discriminate.
Are you a fan of Sanford & Son or something?
Somebody pissed in George’s Wheaties again
Another crusty, rusty Mopar! Oh boy!
parts car
Wow, that will cost a fortune to restore, 2k for interior, on that car, I bet its 7, just for the parts. Nothing is useable, everything from the gauges to the seat belt buckles, and they’ve obviously never priced a dash. IMHO this 1 of 5 falls in the so what category – because the rear windows don’t roll down? Really, oh and its a Barracuda not a ‘Cuda, maybe if it was a hemi or a 440+6. Is it interesting, yes, is it worth $25+ in its current condition, no.
Do you know why a car like that is rare today? Because no one wanted them like that when they were new.
Im more intrested in the 63/64 2dr ply or dodge next to it