When was the last time you came across one of these? A ’68 Mustang or Camaro? Fuggetaboutit, they’re everywhere. But a Baracuda, a Formula S notchback no less? This is a find! This seldom-seen gem is located in Ray, Michigan and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $16,300, reserve not yet met.
I have to admit, I was not a fan of the first-gen Barracuda, it reminded me of a windowed bathtub. No disrespect meant towards anyone who owns one, it just didn’t hit me right. Of course, if I’m not mistaken, Plymouth beat Ford to the pony car market by about a week…As for the second-gen, such as this example, I was OK with the fastback but the notchback and convertible really caught my attention – they did then and still do today. Interestingly, the 340 CI engine didn’t register with me until the 1970 Duster was introduced but it quickly earned my respect, and this was at a time when the 383 & 440 Magnum, along with the Hemi, sucked all the air out of the Mopar room. It was an enlightening moment when I discovered, well after the fact, that the 340 LA motor was available in the ’68 notchback Barracuda as well as the fastback.
This Plymouth comes with a story (most cars do if they last long enough) as it was originally ordered by a U.S. soldier stationed in Germany. It never left the states, however, remaining in California until the current owner purchased it in 2014. The exterior is a little rough, mostly as a result of the faded paint, ripped vinyl top covering, crumpled front passenger fender, bent-up rear bumper, and dented trunk lid trim. The seller claims, “100 percent original paint and sheet metal which is almost completely rust free! Car was ordered in the beautiful RR1 Burgundy Metallic. Car retains all of its original, 50 plus years of dings, dents, bumps, and bruises“. There are lots of 100 percents bounced around in the listing, the play is that this Plymouth is a solid specimen. The aluminum slotted wheels, which I would equate with Ansen Sprints, are 1970’s period correct.
More 100 percents continue with the 275 gross HP, 340 CI V8 engine which was rebuilt numerous years ago by an engine builder that supposedly knew what he was doing. We come a bit off the rails with the seller’s declaration that “I took a few pieces off the engine such as ignition system, carburetor, valve covers for other projects that I had“. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to put any of it back. He also mentions an issue of leaky freeze plugs and a fuel tank/fuel pump that needs replacement. So, no this 340/4-speed combo is a non-runner.
The interior is pretty fair, oddly the passenger seat is the one showing the wear, while the driver’s seat checks out. There are auxiliary gauges installed under the dash and they complement the Hurst shifter tee-handle, another nod to the ’70s. It’s a small point but the rear seatbelts are surprisingly moldy for a car that has been, “been parked in my dry, insulated garage…” And yes, there is an original radio in place.
The seller proclaims, “Wake up Mopar collectors!! Time to get off the couch and into the game!!” And then admonishes, “Do not ZZZZZZZZZZZ on this one!” I’ll let you all talk among yourselves as to that come-on. This Barracuda is supposedly one of 359 so equipped and that’s logical as a ’68 Formula S notchback Barracuda, with a four-speed manual transmission, is not an everyday find. Depending on the reserve, this car may prove to be a reasonable buy, but the engine’s condition, or lack of condition, does put some unknown into the equation. So, a show of hands please, what’s your preference, a gen-two (1967-1969) Baracuda or gen-three (1970-1974)?
Not junk and has the potential to be a very nice car. But, like a lot of Mopars, it seems more than a little pricey for a non runner that will need a fair amount of work to be nice. Good luck to the seller and buyer.
Nice car with an interesting history. I’d keep the what is now vintage speed equipment, get it running and drive it. That will help keep costs down and would be a reminder that not every car needs to be restored.
Steve R
Sold with a high bid of $18,100.
Steve R
Mean little street machine, or at least it was. With that single plane intake manifold I’ll just assume it has more cam, compression, timing, the Direct Connection valve covers are just sitting on it, the yellow Accel coil. All of it right down to the cool wheels and t-handle shift knob are how I remember these machines.
I like the fastback version a little better but it’d be a fun car to blast through the gears, after a bunch of work of course.
Ahhh… the Formula S! I still pine for a ‘67 Notchback Formula S. When I was a teen with not enough (no) credit, I test drove a white 1967 Barracuda Formula S with the 273. I couldn’t believe the guy let me take it out on my own. That little ‘Cuda kept right up with buddies ‘69 Roadrunner. It was live at first sight! Brought it back to the used car lot and found out I needed a co-signer. Only $700! I was short about $500. Oh well… To this day I still see that car as the one that got away.
I recall looking at a 67 notchback that featured the “Commando V8” emblems at a used car lot in Columbus in 1974. It had the solid lifter 4 barrel 273. How rare were those cars?
Only 5352, 273 Type S total. I couldn’t find a breakdown of Notchback, Fastback & Convertibles. So that would mean Type S 273 Notchback would be pretty low numbers since the Fastback was more popular.
Whenever I see pink insulation anywhere on a car, my mind automatically goes to a stinky mice nest.
I have had several that I have had to remove over the years.
It will take a lot of TLC to get this baby back to running condition. But if you’ve ever driven a lightweight A body with a high winding 340 and a 4 speed, you know how much fun these cars can be. And being a well optioned Formula S convertible just makes it that much better and worth investing in, IMHO.
Vic Hubbard was known to do great work back in the day. But if the new owner has to pull the motor to replace freeze plugs, it would be a chance to go thru it and inspect top & bottom ends. It would not surprise me if the 340 fired right up after the ignition and fuel systems are replaced.
I say keep the day 2 mods, fix the dents, wire it, fire it, and go enjoy your Saturday night cruising!
Vic Hubbard was a speed shop, that only sold parts, they went out of business around 2015. Al Hubbard’s was and still is a machine shop owned and operated by a relative. They were always separate entities.
Steve R
Thanks for correcting that, Steve R. I was going right off the Ebay listing.
I never shopped at Vic Hubbard but they were certainly well known regionally and nationally. Growing up in the South Bay, we had Goodies and Tognotti’s and later Super Shops. Damn… Looking back, I had any idea how good we had it back then!
2nd fastest Mopar I ever owned (#1 was 1967 street hemi Belvedere) was my black on black 1968 Formula S fastback 340 Barracuda. Holley 650 on Edelbrock LD-340 manifold, 284 degree cam, Doug’s headers and 3.91 Sure Grip. Shamed more than one Stingray with this car. Wish I still owned it.
Oops…meant to say notchback, not convertible. But I do dig that vinyl roof!
Especially if the engine is internally original, it’s certainly “…not an everyday find.” The 1968 340s with the 4-speed got a hotter cam.
Very cool and one of my favorite Mopars, but the seller has an exaggerated sense of value. The bid when I looked was $16,600 which is full value I think but the reserve still hadn’t been met.
So engine pieces missing counts this as a #4 “Fair,” plus 10% for 4 speed manual. Values have been surprisingly flat over the past several years for Gen II Barracudas. Yes, it has amazing options directly from the factory, MY most desired options. Bet it was a sleeper, bet it saw its share of street and strip racing. Bet the driver got mad and punched the passenger seat, splitting the seam; maybe when front headlight was smacked. Yes, I too let one get away in my youth, and always regret it. Burgundy Convertible with white top & interior, and surprisingly factory air. Only three years old used car in excellent shape for ~$1,600 USD. But my Father, and experienced neighbor asked too many questions scaring the seller into retracting the car from sale to me. Back to 2021, here are the valuations: $39,300
Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, in the right colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is “concours.”
#2 Excellent$27,200
#3 Good$18,600
#4 Fair$14,100
Value Adjustments
-30% for 6-cyl. +10% for 4-spd.