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440, 6-Pack & Rust! 1970 Barracuda

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As you can see from this picture, there are a few things wrong with this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. Ok, more than a few. Ok–a lot! But bidding is enthusiastic already and it’s past any reserve, so the car will find a new owner. It’s listed for sale here on eBay and is located in North Andover, Massachusetts. Bidding is already over $25,000!

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The car has been located in the Boston area since being originally purchased in 1970. It’s been off the road since sometime in the 1980’s but had certainly seen some road salt prior to that point! Wow, there’s some rust on this car. Lots of it. To the seller’s credit, they are very transparent about the rust, with lots of pictures of the issues.

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The rear of the left front fender is a good example. One of the great things about this particular project is the huge amount of replacement parts that are available. I don’t think there’s any part you can’t get for this car. Now, of course, it won’t be original at that point, but the serial and ID plates will say it’s a 1970 Barracuda 440 six-pack, right? I’m interested in your thoughts, here, Barn Finds community. When does it stop being “original?”

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Remember, this is a car that is reported to have 48,315 miles. Based on some of the wear I see, I have to wonder about that, but even if that’s true, does it really matter at this point? You’re going to be replacing a lot of car regardless. And it’s not just the driver’s side floor, either.

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This is the original 440 engine, and “after very little effort” the sellers have gotten it running. However, look in the center of that great big V–what do you see? It’s a four barrel carburetor, not a six pack! What gives? As it turns out, the manifold and one carburetor still come with the car. Where did the rest go? Who knows.

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Here’s the manifold, and at least parts of two carburetors. The air cleaner is present as well. I’m not sure how hard the parts will be to get, but I’m sure more money will help. I just have to wonder–when you are done, while the data plates may be for a 440 six-pack car, how much original car will be left? Wouldn’t it be easier to take a better condition, lower spec car and clone one? To me, the result is the same–but I’d really like to hear your thoughts!

Comments

  1. Avatar Walter Joy

    It’s a Mopar, someone will buy it and dump $100k into it. I would

    Like 0
    • Avatar Billy

      This was purchased decades a go for a song by someone who probably left it as a roadside eyesore for just as long. Unfortunately, those kind of people (the ones that American Pickers seem to love) are who get rich, at least sometimes. It would be nice if they shared some of that wealth with all the people who had to look at all that junk for all those years. Hopefully, he had this and all his other “treasures” behind a high fence where others didn’t have their view or property values diminished. Yes, he hit pay dirt here, but how much junk is still laying about that will never be worth anything. Do not get me wrong here, if pack rats didn’t horde, then we would not have stuff like this, but can anyone else here see my side of this?

      Like 0
      • Avatar JW

        Billy I sure can, while I love walking the old junkyards I don’t want one right out my picture window which is what happened to my wife and I after investing $80K renovating a old farmhouse as our dream country home. A year after the work was completed a local bodyshop owners son decided to start a junkyard and he picked right across the highway from us. The county gave him a permit without asking locals what they thought in a meeting, it was a hush hush deal because his family was well connected to the small town nearby and they wanted it outside of town so they helped him secure the permits. Me and several neighbors complained about no privacy fence but it fell on deaf ears. Luckily we sold the farm house to a guy who circle tracked a race car and he got parts from this guy so we both ended up happy, I got what I wanted for the house and he got his parts guy right across the highway.

        Like 1
  2. Avatar KeithK

    This dilemma is referred to as Theseus’s paradox. How much of the original must remain before it’s not the same car anymore? This riddle has been solved by a pure mathematical equation . Clear title+VIN tag + data plate + pile of rust and piles of cash = Original car.

    Like 1
    • Avatar KeithK

      Ok so I’ve been thinking about Theseus’s paradox and it turns out my equation is wrong or at least flawed . All those things added up may constitute a car but after all the expense it won’t be one you would drive so, is it then really a car or just a trophy , Mecum fodder or museum filler. Hmmm

      Like 0
    • Avatar P

      George Washington’s axe. Replaced the handle. Then years later, replaced the blade.

      Still George Washington’s axe.

      Like 1
      • Avatar bruce baker

        Wow at P, i am laughing hard, and crying at the same time. I did the same thing with my grandfathers pick ax. But i think i still may have the old cracked parts too.
        This problem is why there are awesome Resto Mods, or in this case Rusto Mod.
        Why aren’t all classic cars galvanized or made from stainless steel?

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Jeffro

    I can see the potential. I can also see the money flowing. The only 6 pack I could see would be the several I’d have to drink before tackling this project.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Bingo

    I’ve always liked the Barracuda over the Challenger for some odd, unknown, reason. Does anyone out in BF land know the difference of the two? Was the Plymouth a higher trim level…?

    I had a neighbor that had a ‘Cuda with the round front driving lights. Man, my pre-teen mind thought those were the coolest part of the car (obviously, the pistol grip 4-speed shifter blew my mind also).

    If I only could win the lottery. Wait…I guess I have to play the lottery first. D’OH!!

    Like 0
    • Avatar The Walrus

      Plymouth was a different division. Most dealers were either Chrysler-Plymouth or Dodge. Plymouth was, at the time, generally considered the bottom of the Chrysler lineup, to compete with Chevrolet/Ford. Dodge was considered a bit upscale – more of a direct competitor with Mercury/Pontiac. In the case of the Cuda/Challenger, the major difference which exemplifies this difference is that the Challenger is physically a bit bigger than a Barracuda. Here is some data from original factory literature:

      Wheelbase: Challenger: 110 inches; Cuda: 108 inches
      Overall Length: Challenger: 191.3 inches; Cuda: 188.4 inches
      Curb Weight (Dry/Small Block V-8): Challenger: 3390lbs; Cuda: 3370lbs

      Like 0
    • Avatar RH FACTOR

      Totally different cars. I remember reading way back when that none of the panels interchange.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Fiete T

      Barracuda/’Cuda wheelbase is shorter. The unibody of the E-body is nothing more than chopped version of a B-body, so the ‘cheaper’ car got a slightly shorter wheelbase. Purportedly, this stunt to create a Chryco “Pony car” pissed off a bunch of engineers at the time it was being pushed through because the bean counters did not allow for any tuning/re-design of the suspension for the truncated length.
      It was so bad that when it came time to make the AAR & TA versions, the “Fast Ratio” steering was half-baked. Engineering along with the casting & forging departments made some pitman arms, but accounting caught wind and put the brakes on a matching idler arm. No joke.
      The best SCCA/rally/handling cars Chrysler had? The A-bodies. Darts Valiants, up-to-’69 ‘Cudas, Demons and Dusters. They just weren’t sexy enough, LoL!

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Rocko

    No matter whatcha do , it is and will alaways be a numbers matching sick-pac car. 100k left right and center!

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Jeffro

    Any bets to what final bid will be?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jeffro

      4 days left and currently at $25,500. I honestly wanted some opinions of what everyone thinks it’ll go for.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Paul. A

      Well whaterever it is it will prolly take that much and more in new metal to bring it back ,

      Like 0
  7. Avatar JW

    IMHO any 70 Cuda 6 pack car is worth saving if you have the cash and like me want one really bad and since I don’t have that kind of cash I hope someone does. Drool !!!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Craig

    To my mind, replacing rusted/clapped out body panels doesnt make the car unoriginal, you have the data plate, motor, trans, rear, it was born with starting with a slant six and cloning one into a 440 6 pak will never make it a original 6 pak car, Just leave those dog dish, poverty hub caps in the garage, they suck , ruin a nice car. By the way I have a lead on the ax that George Washington used on his Dads Cherry tree.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Billy

      I would rather keep the slant six. Nicer car to drive vs just showing off.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Ck

        I didn’t know you could get a slant 6 with a 6Pack ,must be a rare option.

        Like 0
  9. Avatar Jay E. Member

    I never knew a 6 pac came with a shaker. That is quite an impressive build tag. What a project if you have a trunkful of cash. Graveyard carz would like this one.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Rando

    I hope someone with a boatload of cash buys it and returns it to an original looking specimen. Actually a second boatload of cash. The first to buy the car and a bigger boatload to FIX it. Vinyl top and all.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar RX7TURBOII

    I don’t know much about muscle cars but a friend of mine has this exact same car fully restored and he said the hardest thing to find on this car is a replacement front grill as nobody makes a new one and use one sell for 2500 to $3,500.I

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Russell

    It’s a Cuda and not a Barracuda. 6 pack or not anything can be resurrected but do you really want to pour an untold amount of money into this fantasy? Restoration shops love to see cars like this because after you start pouring money into it most people can’t stop. You end up with a perfect Cuda several years later you’re affraid to drive because your investment exceeds the value. Of course none of us are logical when it comes to our dream car.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Billy

      I suspect an almost six figure bill here. Would it not make sense to spec out a new Challenger, or Camaro, or Mustang for less then half that? It would be reliable, handle and run better, have modern amenities, and a warranty. This is all fantasy. The new cars are not our old cars, they are much better. If we still had the equivalent of a 1980 performance car to choose from when buying new, different story. We do not, what we have to pick from now is so much better. A new Civic Si would run circles around this, and get quadruple the gas mileage at a quarter of the restored cost. The value and cost of restoring these cars has turned them into rich mens investments, not what most of us would want, nice drivable cars for a Sunday afternoon. If some of you are talented enough to do this work and make a tidy profit, good for you, I am happy for you. For me, I just walk a different path. .

      Like 0
  13. Avatar JBones

    I live less than 15 minutes away if anyone wants me to take a look.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar redwagon

    wow that is a heavily optioned car. never seen option codes carried over to a second cowl tag. it should bring home all the franklin’s once the bidding is done. i like the color combo, esp with the white interior. not crazy about the vinyl roof never really was my cup of tea.

    it may not have the original sheet metal when all is said and done but it will not be a clone. it is the real deal.

    Like 0
    • Avatar tstout68

      I to have never seen a second data plate, car is definitely worth saving. But I’m sure it will take well over a 100k to restore it to a 100 point car. I’m not a big Mopar fan. I’m guessing this car will go for around 35k.. what does everyone else think, I’d like to know how far off I am with my guess…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Jeffro

        45k

        Like 0
      • Avatar Bingo

        $34,000

        Like 0
  15. Avatar Rustytech Member

    $40k + easy $60k restoration. Seems like alott of money but I would expect a numbers matching 440 6 pack to bring $150 to $200k at auction in today’s market. Billy I get your point on the newer cars being better as to ride, handling, and even dependability, but that’s not why people buy these classic muscle cars. They buy them for the history, memories, or investment. No ones going to notice you driving down the street in a 2016 Challenger, but this would turn every head on the street if done right.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ck

      We buy them because we love em for one reason or another .Maybe you had one and sold it ,maybe its your dream car .Whatever the reason .It sure isn’t for gas mileage or dependability .Go get yourself a smartcar if thats what your lookin for. Heck you might as well spring for the sport model with all the money you’ll be saving by not buying a car like this.As for me I’m all about leaving the bigest carbon foot print on the pavement that I can and to do that Ya need somthing like this CUDA…..LOL

      Like 0
  16. Avatar stillrunners

    Yes….factory color keyed bumpers….kool kolor……$29,750….

    Like 0
  17. Avatar erikj

    rustytech-Well said, not to put anybody down for there thoughts, but the memory’s of having and lived the days when these cars ruled is why I can never compare the old with the new. BTW I love the new commercial for the hellcat- If money comes my way I,m in. But I wont sell my 71 purple 4spd duster to help.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Jubjub

    The new ones just don’t look right either!

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Jay E. Member

    2016 Hellcat Challenger or Shelby GT350 won’t turn heads? I think you may be mistaken. These are cars with an amazing presence in person.

    Like 0
    • Avatar PRA4SNW

      I’d trade either of those cars for one of these in restored condition and I would be getting the better end of the deal.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Jeffro

      I like the new cars. I love the old. New cars just seem to be “refined” a little bit to much.

      Like 0
  20. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Having grown up in the next town over – Andover – and having owned a ’73 Barracuda in the late 70’s that was already rusting out, I can believe that this was parked in the 80’s in the current condition.

    I would have loved to have seen this in it’s heyday – Cragars and all!

    Like 0
    • Avatar cudaman

      Well PRA4SNW, you asked and I’ll deliver. You wanted a picture of a ’70 Barracuda when it was new? This is mine when the original owner (pictured sitting in the car when it was almost new) sold it to me a few years ago. Of course it doesn’t look anything like this now, but I’m proud to own it.

      Like 0
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Thanks cudaman. Definitely brings back memories. I got mine in ’78 or ’79 ( can’t remember now) when I was in High School. Although it was only 5 years old, it was already repainted (dark green painted straight over the original yellow/green and when it would chip, you could see that cool original paint), and rusting.

        I’ve looked around and wish I could find a picture of it. I have pictures of all of the other cars from my past, but the Barracuda will always be special.

        Ehjoy that ‘Cuda!

        Like 0
    • Avatar cudaman

      PRA4SN-Here’s a picture of the day when I picked it up. Yes, that is the original owner standing in front of it. It’s rough but again, I own a 1970 big block 383 4-speed 41k one owner mile bone stock Barracuda!

      Like 0
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Love it. I remember you posting this picture before because I like the story. Good score, it’s a keeper!

        Like 0
      • Avatar Vankelford lee

        That’s right keep that ole good car goodtime feeling unreplaceable moments in time.

        Like 0

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