Although the Mustang has long been recognized as the first Pony Car, Plymouth beat Ford to the market with the Barracuda by two weeks. However, unlike the Mustang, the Barracuda only enjoyed a relatively brief stint in showrooms. This 1965 example is a Formula S version that presents exceptionally well. It is more than a pretty face, because its mechanical configuration promises performance that would have given the equivalent Mustang a run for its money. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Plymouth listed here on Craigslist in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The seller set their price at $35,000 for a classic that appears to be a total package.
Plymouth introduced the First Generation Barracuda late in the 1964 model year, making it unsurprising that the company chose to resist cosmetic upgrades for 1965 examples. This Barracuda is the performance-oriented Formula S version that presents beautifully in Code W White with contrasting Black stripes and later Rallye wheels. Faulting its appearance is seemingly impossible. The paint shines impressively, the panels are straight, and the seller states that it has never been affected by the rust issues that sometimes plague these classics. The trim looks exceptional, the glass is clear, and the redline tires provide the perfect finishing touch.
Powering this Barracuda is the range-topping 273ci “Commando” V8 producing 235hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner teamed the V8 with a four-speed manual transmission, an 8¾” rear end, and power-assisted steering and front disc brakes. It is easy to draw comparisons between this V8 and the A-Code 289 that Ford utilized in the Mustang. The Plymouth engine develops marginally more power, but the 289 outperforms it in terms of torque. Therefore, there is little separating the pair, and both would have satisfied most customers. The seller confirms that this Barracuda has clocked virtually no miles since they had the engine and transmission rebuilt. The work is documented with the relevant invoices, while the list of new parts extends to major recent suspension and brake refurbishment. The buyer won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price, because this Plymouth is a turnkey proposition.
The positive vibes continue inside this Plymouth, with its impressively presented interior. The Black vinyl shows no evidence of wear or distress, and the carpet hasn’t faded. The fold-down rear seat functions as intended, and the dash appears to be virtually flawless. The seller confirms that the factory tachometer works perfectly, and although it isn’t loaded with factory options, the first owner did splurge on an AM radio.
Plymouth sold 64,596 examples of the Barracuda across all variants in 1965. That figure sounds respectable in isolation, but pales when you consider that Ford found homes for 559,451 Mustangs during the same model year. The gap would widen in 1966 as Mustang sales climbed and the Barracuda suffered a 41% slump. Plymouth refused to surrender, with Second and Third-Generation Barracudas carrying the badge through until the end of 1974. This 1965 Formula S is stunning and is ideal for enthusiasts seeking a turnkey classic that its new owner can enjoy immediately. Are you that person?
$35000 Canadian is about $25000 US. Try to find an A code 4speed mustang restored to this condition for that price. Plus you won’t see 3 more cars just like yours at the local show when you’re driving this. I think it’s a decent deal.
And, there is much more desire for this than any of the first gen Mustangs. At least for me.
Dang and double dang. I just sold my Comet, and have had a Formula S on my short list for years. Now I could have one, this one is perfect, but it’s in Canada. I dunno, do the tariffs mean I have to pay 25% or something to get this thing into the US? I will need to investigate…. Great car, an unusual one to bring to local shows or mosey along on tours.
No tariffs, Michelle. It’s actually not too terribly complicated to bring a car into the states from Canada. Just need to have the requisite paperwork in order and if all the Customs docs appear daunting, you can always hire a broker that specializes in transporting vehicles into the US.
Not sure what happened to my reply to MR – this S car looks like a good one – just a few things – the 8 3/4 did not come in these so there might be a chassie upgrade with the disk brakes as well – worth a ask…should have the factory front sway bar so maybe ask….has the factory single exhaust which is rare to see and sound great….the stick shift does look taller than stock but not a big deal….later wheels look good so….buy buy buy…..
Totally agree, this is a sweet little package for that price There will be 10 Mustangs at Cars N Coffee and only one of these, and a 4 speed? What is not to like? Nice find!
I bought a 1 owner 65 Barracuda in 1970 for $100. While not an S model it had the same center stripe, 273 Commando 235hp engine and 4 speed. Friend of Dads was offered $100 trade in on a new Gremlin so he sold it to me for the same. 52k miles at the time. Great first car, and pretty quick although light in the front end at 110 mph.
Wow a one-owner, five-year-old car with just over 52k miles for $100. Ah… wow.
Great, clean, and seldom seen 4-speed car. Hopefully the stipe is easily removable.
The stripe is factory on the formula s. I have one of these cars stashed somewhere. Mine has the stripe in red.
The Barracuda as a pony car came along in 1970, when the era was ending. This is a not-even-thinly-disguised Valiant with a ludicrous fishbowl stuck up where the trunk should be in a desperate attempt to make car buyers think it was a real Chrysler answer to the Mustang. I suppose Ford could have done something equally silly to a Falcon, called it a Mustang, and brought it out a week before the Valiant/Barracuda, but it wasn’t a semantics game. It was about changing the automotive picture for the next 60 years and beyond. Mustang’s underpinnings were Falcon-based, but you couldn’t tell it by looking at the car. And they quickly evolved into real sporty cars, with the help of a lengthy order sheet that let you buy pretty, economical transportation or up to a 306 (probably closer to 400) horsepower road racer built by Carroll Shelby – and a lot of levels in between. Incidentally, Tom McCahill, legendary automotive writer, said the Mustang GT 350 was “…as hairy as a Borneo Gorilla in a raccoon coat.” Back then, hairy was a term we used to say a car was powerful, and fast.
Thanks Michael i have not heard hairy since i was a kid brings back a lot of memories. Another term i remember us kids using for powerful and fast cars was wicked.
I suggest you don’t buy it
I’ll try to hold back. I actually like that car pretty well, now, but that panicky move to get the jump on Mustang was annoying. It smacked of the same desperate reaction by General Motors to Chrysler’s Forward Look styling of 1957. Perhaps because it was owned and controlled by annoyed and grumpy men, Ford rarely reacted like that. For the most part, relative to GM and Chrysler, the Ford Motor Company cars, Ford, Edsel, Mercury, and Thunderbird all had very understated fins, if they could be called fins at all. The 1957 Lincoln had fins which were quite impressive and vaguely resembled Chrysler’s fins, but the fins were drastically reduced for 1958 (although fins were about all that was reduced on1958 Lincolns and Continentals).
To each one’s own.
Thank you for sharing…
Ever pull the Mustang horn button off on a 1965/66 – when you do it says Falcon Sprint so don’t be so firm on the hiding stuff…..owned both a fastback 65 Stang and 65 S Cuda….I’ll choose a Cuda….
This is a beautiful Plymouth. When I was a kid. Me and my brother had a Aurora track set. I had the Plymouth that was the same here. My brother had the Cheetah. It was fun racing on the track. I wish my parents kept it when we grew up. The only problem i see with the Barracuda is… Canada!!! I am in NY. This is like over 3,500 miles away!! Would love to see this in person. But the tax getting it into USA. Someone is going to be lucky getting this beautiful Plymouth. 🐻🇺🇸
Here’s a link on the rules for importing a car from Canada.
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car
It looks like you only pay duty if the car was not made in the US. It also doesn’t have to meet epa or safety regulations if it’s 25yo or older.
The only question I would have about this is if he is asking $35000 Canadian, or US dollars. Just because it is in Canada, doesn’t necessarily mean Canadian dollars.
Beautiful car, and would be extremely happy to find this in my garage on Christmas day.
I’m slipping down the slope here, having opened a conversation with the seller. It is Canadian dollars, so considerably less in USD.
yeah…..
Thanks, Michele. I was just curious about the cost. Good luck in the conversations with the seller. It’s a great looking car.
Thank you, Adam, for avoiding the way tired cliche ” arrow straight”.
Thank you jwaltb I picked up on that instantly .
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always liked the 1965-70 Plymouth Cuda. I’d drive one if I could find one close to where I live.
Mopar or Nopar.
I keep getting multiple updates on comments but only find the same 3, what’s up with that?
Really beautiful Barracuda. Falcons (oops – Mustangs) are everywhere these days. I bet you could even get some awning company to make you some rear window louvers. Then you can tell everyone at the Cars n’ Coffee that it is a special factory prototype and the huge rear window was actually a Mopar skunkworks traction aid.
Mapar or Napar