440 Equipped: 1970 Plymouth Barracuda

If I were to pick a car from the 1970s to park in my garage, any classic from Chrysler’s E-Body range would be a strong contender. The styling is bold and aggressive, with an inherently purposeful feel. This 1970 Plymouth Barracuda is one such car. It is an unfinished project featuring a healthy 440ci V8 under the hood. However, it is a case of “what you see is what you get,” leaving the buyer to source a few parts to complete the build. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Barracuda listed here on eBay in Granada Hills, California. The seller set their BIN at $30,000, with the option to make an offer.

This first-year E-Body Barracuda has spent its life in California, which is good news for potential buyers. The seller provides several underside shots confirming the car’s rust-free condition. Interestingly, the seller says that a previous owner replaced some panels and the trunk pan, emphasizing that this wasn’t due to rust. The Fender Tag confirms that the Vitamin C Orange cloaking its exterior is correct, and the seller states it requires a cut and polish. Still, I’m wondering whether there might be more to achieving excellent presentation than that simple process. The image above seems to reveal panel imperfections in the rear quarter and the door. These could be a photographic illusion or a sign of low-quality steel preparation. Only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth, but potential buyers may need to brace to strip the existing paint to address potential panel shortcomings. As the seller states, this Barracuda is a case of “what you see is what you get.” Therefore, the new owner faces a shopping list of parts, including bumpers, some trim and badges, and a few pieces of glass. It is also worth noting that while the Plymouth wears alloy wheels in many of the images, the deal includes the steelies and “half moon” hubcaps in the final photo of this article.

Decoding this Barracuda’s VIN reveals that the original owner ordered this classic with a 318ci V8 under the hood. It is no longer numbers-matching, but its mechanical specifications are pretty mouthwatering. Starting at the front, the engine bay houses a 440ci V8. Bolted to the motor is a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission, feeding the power to an 8¾” rear end. The car also features power steering, and the seller has upgraded the brakes to power-assisted front discs. The engine inhales through a Holley 750 carburetor, with spent gases exiting via Hooker headers and a new dual exhaust. Throw in an aluminum radiator, a trunk-mounted fuel cell, and an HEI ignition, and this should be a pretty potent package. The Plymouth runs, but doesn’t drive. A few tasks await the new owner, although none appear particularly complicated. They need to install the supplied metering block, wiring, a driveshaft, and brake lines. There are no major tasks, meaning that reaching a roadworthy state could be a realistic short-term goal.

As with its mechanical components, this Barracuda’s interior is close to complete. Featuring Black vinyl trim, bucket seats, and a console, the general presentation is pretty impressive. I believe it is freshly retrimmed, but a few tasks are awaiting the buyer. The dashpad exhibits some pretty bad cracks, and while a cover would conceal the problem, this classic deserves better. The sticking point is the price, because high-quality reproduction pads retail for over $1,000. The wheel is cracked, representing another expense. However, a relatively brief online search on typical auction sites unearthed several pristine secondhand wheels for under $250, which isn’t as painful as the cost of the pad!

I might be an E-Body fanboy, but that doesn’t mean that I can ignore potential flaws or problems. This 1970 Plymouth Barracuda looks promising, and its mechanical specifications should deliver a pretty rapid motoring experience. However, I would recommend an in-person inspection to determine whether the panel imperfections seemingly visible in the listing images are real or an unfortunate illusion. It could still be a stunning classic demanding respect, but the path to that goal might be longer than a brief glance suggests if it involves further sheetmetal massaging. Do you agree?