- Seller: Ginter S
- Location: Bakersfield, California
- Mileage: 85,504 Shown
- Chassis #: V855128482
- Title Status: Clean
UPDATE—The seller has asked us to relist their Barracuda auction. Since the previous auction ended, the seller has had the air conditioning system serviced, and it now blows cold! They’ve also lowered their reserve.
When the word got out that Ford was working on a sporty compact car, Chrysler got to work beating Ford to the punch. The Barracuda was their answer to the Mustang, and while not initially as successful, the Barracuda would make a name for itself as a serious Muscle Car. First-generation cars don’t quite have the muscular image of later cars, but they offer a great balance of performance, handling, looks, and rarity. The example offered here as a Barn Finds Auction is ready to drive and will draw attention everywhere it goes.
Chrysler beat Ford to market by only a few days, but it’s an impressive victory given the short timeframe and limited budget allocated to the Barracuda’s development. Unlike the Mustang, these cars were only offered as a Fastback, although you could get the Valiant, which it was based on, in several body styles. Like the Mustang, it’s compact and lightweight and was offered with either an inline-6 or a V8. This one left the factory with the 273 V8 and the Torqueflit 3-speed automatic transmission.
Speaking of the engine, here’s a look at the 180-horsepower V8. It’s said to be in good running condition. A new starter was recently installed, so it is ready to go. For ’65, A/C became a factory option, and this one received it. The system has recently been serviced and is now blowing cold. Interestingly, it wasn’t optioned with power brakes or steering, but at 3,100 pounds, it’s light enough to drive without those features and still be fun.
Inside, we find a gold interior that is in good overall condition. The vinyl bucket seats and door panels show minimal signs of wear. The dash, which is quite minimalistic, presents nicely. According to the seller, the gauges were reconditioned by Redline Gauge Works in Santa Clarita, California. The only area that needs attention is the headliner. It’s present but is showing its age. Thankfully, that shouldn’t keep you from enjoying it as is. If it does bother you, replacements are available.
The seller has provided photos of the underside, which appears solid throughout. The addition of Bilstein shocks and a Firmfeel front sway bar suggests that someone wanted this Mopar to corner like a sports car. They believe a previous owner repainted the car, and it has held up well. The color code shows the car was originally painted gold, and the respray matches well.
While the Barracuda wasn’t quite as successful as the Mustang, it was a great option for anyone wanting a Pony car that wasn’t a Ford. This one looks like a great example that is already a fun driver. So, be sure to take a closer look and cast your high bids below. And leave any questions you have for the seller in the comments section.
Bid On This Auction
OnTheBrink bid $9,500.00 2024-08-28 10:38:19
MikeMack46 bid $9,051.00 2024-08-28 10:34:44- OnTheBrink bid $8,800.00 2024-08-28 10:02:46
- MikeMack46 bid $8,501.00 2024-08-27 20:07:15
gators4gordon bid $7,751.00 2024-08-27 20:00:49- MikeMack46 bid $7,500.00 2024-08-27 10:45:17
- gators4gordon bid $3,000.00 2024-08-27 10:42:30
- MikeMack46 bid $2,500.00 2024-08-27 10:35:19
Anders bid $2,250.00 2024-08-27 09:09:21- MikeMack46 bid $2,000.00 2024-08-27 09:06:32
Anders bid $1,750.00 2024-08-25 02:33:55
ddh2153 bid $1,500.00 2024-08-24 14:19:20- Anders bid $200.00 2024-08-21 11:54:04
Very nice.Best looking body style to wear the Barracuda n/plt.
I love this body styling. I love the front end, probably more than the aft end.
I’m sorry but the “respray” does not match at all and is a rather ugly non-stock color! Just my opinion but YUCK, takes a lot of wind out of the sail (sale) of an otherwise decent old ‘cuda.
If you can get it for the right price you can respray it any color you want. This is nice. Repair the damaged headliner and you’re in business. I remember when I was in college at a party I passed out in the back of one of these with the rear seat folded down, looking up through the glass at the stars. What a party.
Very cool. My sister’s shared a ’65 Valiant with the same powertrain as this car. It was quite the sleeper! Surprised many young men who challenged them at a stoplight!
I had a silver Formula S Barracuda 273, 4spd in 1970 that I loved. One thing that grates on me on this one is the racing(?) stripes on the hood. Did they use friction tape?
Funny…..I have a 65 Silver Form S with 4sp and red seats/stripe….
My white formula S was 273 4-gear, black interior, and a red stripe.
Always wondered if the rear glass is available from aftermarket.
There’s waaaaaay too many back glasses laying around….it’s a 3 yr run.
I’d like to know a couple of things about this car. 1) There were no pictures of the rear axle, where I could positively identify it. From the best I could see on my phone, my best guess is a 7-1/4” rear axle (3 bolts at the bottom, the rest were obscured by the fuel tank). Gearing?
As I don’t see anything to indicate a Formula S (did Plymouth build a Formula S with an automatic?), I’m assuming a 180 HP, 2-bbl. 273 V-8 and stock 904-Torque-Flite.
I’d like to know more about the FirmFeel Suspension and Bilstein Dampers.
Has there been any upgrade to the brakes?
Anything else done to the suspension?
Has anyone diagnosed the A/C ?
You could ask the owner but I’ll take a few questions – most surely a 7 1/4 all you need with this motor along with a 904 and early 4 sp Form S cars got the 7 1/4 at first …..the 10 1/2 brakes that came with the V/8 were pretty dang good and although you could order a sway bar that came standard with the Form S are rare so here’s a good alternate – the shocks should be able to google…..with all that said you should maybe go with a Mustang.
No, I’m retired, and my Mechanical Engineer Daughter, my youngest child, wants to run the Power Tour. MOPARS and AMCs are my thing, so I’m semi-interested and slowly entering the market, but I don’t want a rust pile to turn into a semi-concours show car, sucking the life and savings until I croak.
I’m thinking about all of the mechanical pieces, how the car would be used (Carolina Motorsports Park is a relatively short drive) and what would I need to do to keep it until I assume room temperature.
I had one of these with the 273, fenderwell headers, lopey cam. It would fry the 14″ tires.
My first Form S had the same headers…..still have them hanging up.
Beautiful looking car. My favourite years for the Barracuda (Cuda) are the 1965-69 model years.
This is a nice car and what was said the color is off but maybe the owner that painted it liked that color. You really don’t need P/S on these little A bodies – they steer fine with out it. This is an early 1965 car and with factory air – radio delete – which is kinda odd. Optional wood steering wheel is one of my fave’s along with the optional hubcaps – these are 13″. Note the right side trunk holder upper – later ones would get the left side spring assist one. Have fun to the new owner !
If you want a laugh? Check out VGG’s latest you tube offering. Where he takes on one of these Barracudas.
The latest VGG video was quite a ride. I’ve never seen anybody work so hard and get so little out of it. It made me think I’ll never have a Chrysler anything.
I have a 64 that cost a lot more than this one. And it was a rolling chassis. I’ve since retrofitted a 360 and last thing I need to do is rewire the entire car. Pretty easy with the kits they make. I would love to add this one to my stable…I have also a 69 Road Runner, 63 Bonneville and a 69 Corvette.
Just look at you go.
Lots of fun with a 360! That’s the first thing I thought of,looking at this car.
273 2bbl no commando air cleaner just the valve covers it is a nice looking car just needs some updates
This has been up for a while now, frankly I’m surprised there’s not more interest. This isn’t a million seller Mustang, it’s rather unique imo
My first car was a used 64 Barracuda. Pretty cool car for kid`s first car. It had the pushbutton automatic. I drove the heck out of that car–75 miles per hour with bias ply tires on windy country roads. My first need for speed experience. Lucky I didn`t get myself and passengers killed. Never had any real problems with the car until I totaled it going wrong way on a one way street in the city at night. They don`t put stop signs at intersections for cars going the wrong way!
My father owned from new a 66 formula S, in the 70s i also owned a Formula S, with 235 hp and torque flite. A good quick car.
Hemi under glass, HEMI UNDER GLASS, ( I still say that rollover with Jay Leno was staged, that’s a Hollywood for ya’), I had a buddy in HS, his 1st car was a ’65 like this, only a Slanty and a 4 speed. Its signature feature was not the rear glass, but the amount of smoke and oil it used. Before any ride, 2qts, minimum, and since the James Bond smoke screen was a hit, nobody really noticed. Lots of cars smoked, especially in Milwaukee, ( dig at Ramblers) You could buy re-refined oil at Purple Martin, 5qts for a buck. I never understood why a car like this made it, and the Marlin didn’t. I guess I just answered my own question.
Looks might have had something to do with it.
You obviously don’t know much about Jay Leno, he would never purposely crash someone’s car. He is always respectful of other peoples cars when he drives them. He recently drove a guest’s Datsun 240 Z which had the roof removed and a small block Chevy installed. When he got back from the drive, the owner asked if he tried doing a burnout and he replied that he doesn’t drive other peoples cars that way. He deserves more respect than you’re obviously willing to give.
Howard, I thought the sixes only came with the 904 and 3 speeds, not 4, on the tree. Their valve covers would always leak, so everyone I knew would buy the re-cycle oil and never changed the oil.
Sure it had something to do with that 4 speed……Slant 6’s have a strong following – check their FB group.
Interested, but wondering what the reserve is first. lol
What a beauty and so clean my father had one of these it had the 273 commando with 4 on the floor it was the hipo engine with a 4bbl and some other thing done. the front fenders on them cars get soft on the tops because it did not have a inner fender well and the dirt and water would splash up and if not cleaned and taken care of the tops of the fenders rot out I think all first gen Barracuda’s had that issue but this car looks as clean as can be I wish they were closer to my home because I would not be shy to drop a bid on this bad boy.
Trust me, the 2nd gens had the same fender top rust issue.
I think every Mopar made in the early to mid seventies had it.
Never seen that rust out down here in almost 50 years of owning early A-bodies.
It happens wherever salt is used on the roads.
Usually, rust bubbles and even holes would develop in only 2 years of winter driving.
I had a 64 1/2 that had a 273 with a pushbutton auto trans. From what the mopar dealership said it was very possibly a 1 of 1 because in 64-65-66 if the Barracuda had a V8 auto, it came with the floor shift and if it had the pushbutton on the dash it came with the slant 6 unless it was ordered from the factory like mine. I sold the car to my brother and without my knowledge he took the front fender off it and put it on a 65 Valiant 4 door and sold the Barracuda to a junkyard for a whopping $150.00. Was not happy when I found that out. Went to the junkyard to try and buy it back and they knew what they had and would not sell it at any price. A hard lesson learned.
I think that would blow the top of my head off!
My 3rd car ever was a like new 66 Formula-S, also gold but white interior, but mine had a 4-speed. But the 66 front end was bland compared to the awesome 64/65’s! Yet another car I should have kept! If memory serves at age 75, it had the orig blue wall tires I think! Sigh…
I can’t believe no one is stepping up to a legit offer. “15K? At least. Find anything somewhat comparable?
Wow! Disappointing! Reno MAG auction was terrible for prices too. Maybe the end is near for being able to save these kool 60’s cars. What can you build this nicely for $15K or even $20???
There are soooo many of these back glasses laying around that there will never be a shortage. The glass is the one thing wrecking yards have kept over the years and still have them. I have two left and only sold one to a guy whose painter sanded into the glass with a DA.