- Seller: Tiffany O
- Location: Ellaville, Georgia
- Mileage: 35,000 Shown
- Chassis #: V442-686555
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 273 V8
UPDATE – The seller has lowered their asking price!
Although Ford is often credited with creating the Pony Car sector, that honor should rightly fall to the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda. Ford unveiled the Mustang to great fanfare on April 17th, 1964, but the Barracuda had been on the market for over two weeks when that occurred. This example is a first-year car that presents exceptionally well. It scores additional points by featuring the range-topping V8 under the hood and could be made into a real show-stopper or enjoyed as-is. The Plymouth would be ideal as a first classic and is listed exclusively with us at Barn Finds.
Plymouth based the First Generation Barracuda on the existing Chrysler A-Body platform. While the car was essentially standard Valiant fare from the windshield forward, its defining feature was undoubtedly the Fastback body. AMC would release the Rambler Marlin the following year, and although visibly similar, motoring historians likely agree that the Barracuda was more elegant. This Plymouth is a one-owner classic recently repainted in its original Signet Royal Red. The only non-standard item is the gas cap. The sparkling paint is free from defects and the panels look to be straight. The trim is as impressive as the paint, and the only rust is a small area on the floor behind the passenger seat. The owner supplies a shot of this in the image gallery, and with shiny new pans retailing for under $140, addressing that shortcoming is doable. One of the greatest fears facing First Generation Barracuda owners is locating a replacement should the beautiful back window break. The owner removes that stress from the equation by including a spare in the deal.
Buyers could order a ’64 Barracuda with the company’s venerable slant-six under the hood, but there was a better option for those seeking greatly improved performance. The range-topping motor was the 273ci “LA” V8 that placed 180hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. This Barracuda features that powerplant, teamed with a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The ¼-mile journey was claimed to take about 17 seconds, which was faster than a V8/auto Mustang when it first hit showroom floors. The seller recently replaced the battery, hoses, gaskets, and tires. They note that the transmission has a small leak, which should eventually be addressed. Those who like a documented history will welcome the original title and window sticker that are included. This Plymouth is said to run and drive well and is ready to provide the buyer with immediate classic motoring pleasure.
Opening this Barracuda’s doors reveals an interior trimmed in Black vinyl that perfectly contrasts the dazzling Red exterior. It is serviceable and could serve for years in its current form. The owner is candid about its shortcomings, admitting that one corner of the headliner requires attention. They also note that the buyer faces replacing the driver’s door trim and dome light cover, and the back of the driver’s seat needs repair. None of the shortcomings are severe or impossible to fix.
While many enthusiasts focus on the Mustang as the first pony car, the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda deserves some recognition. It beat Ford’s classic to the market and initially offered better performance than buyers received from a Mustang. This example looks like a great find, and its needs could be addressed by the new owner as time and circumstances allow. It is a turnkey classic that would command attention courtesy of its sparkling paint. If you want a classic to park in your garage, this one is worth a closer look. Please leave any questions for the seller in the comment section and make them an offer!
black paint under the hood…when will people realize its supposed to be the body color ???
Some people paint black under the hood thinking its a chevy The body color under the hood sets the older mopars apart from others
Best body style to be called a Barracuda,,,,,,
Or, IIRC, Mike Nichols and Elaine May used to call them “Back-a-Rudas” in a series of radio commercials in the 1960’s, LOL!
Naw, looks like a Valient, next gen was MUCH sportier looking!
Don , that’s the first thing I noticed as well. This car would do so much better with a body color engine compartment. It’s one of the things I like about , Plymouth, Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. Always a shame GM and Ford couldn’t do the same.
Shes a beauty! These were put together so much better than the same year Mustang. There must have been a long term leak for that floor to rust out, perhaps it sat outside?
Spray painting the engine compartment black was a thing back then, don’t know why.
It should be easy to find a home, especially with that V8 under the hood and that realistic asking price.
I’m accepting offers! 😉
Not to mention the Formula S, with Square tail pipes and 4 BBl carb. Few then and much less now.
Plymouth beat Ford to the market but the run away success of the mustang ensured that the segment would forever be the Pony car.
I am guessing one of the reasons for them not selling as many as they could was the grill,,my opinion,,just seems like the grill doesn’t say power or tough or something
Fog lights……
It just screams Valiant,and there’s nothing exciting about a Valiant. Amc’s Marlin should’ve been this size instead of it’s bloated self. Imagine if their prototype Tarpon ( Rambler American ) was built and added to its line with a small V-8?
Dodge Dart fastback
Valiant, actually
Had a 64, red with red interior, 4 speed when they came out. The Commando 273 was the top of the line engine fed into 2-1/4” diameter single exhaust with only a square resonator at the tip. They put out 235 horsepower and unfortunately still mad 13” tires like Valiants. They went up in smoke on a hard launch butt running from a 20 mph rolling starts they would hang with 327 Chevrolets and anything Ford had to offer in Mustangs until the brought out the the Mustang with the Hipo 289. I liked that car so much that I have bought and sold 5 since then.
Not going to say any negitive about it – owned 1964’s as well…..
Does the original Barracuda really play in the same league as the original Mustang? I don’t think it does. It’s a Valiant with a fastback roof. Ford went to great lengths to disguise the Falcon under the Mustang. Plymouth did basically nothing, going so far as to market it as the Valiant Barracuda. If Plymouth had done a Barracuda coupe or convertible, they would have literally been Valiants with a different grille. They class is called pony cars for a reason.
Yes it does…..ever drove one ?
So if the Barracuda instead of the mustang made a big hit would they have called these cars fish cars and not pony cars?
Fishy cars, maybe?
Exactly!
Even though it’s a ’64 Barracuda, they used what would be the ’65 Valiant’s front and rear sheet metal instead of the still current ’64’s.
So your point is – it was an all new car in 1964. 1965’s copied it…..
did anyone notice it’s a pushbutton automatic? reminded me of my first car, a 62 rambler station wagon, 6cyl, pushbutton automatic. wow!
Dang. Fresh painted body is merely lipstic on a pig.
Workin” mans Dual Ghia!
When I was in the air national guard in the 60s one of my wknd warrior buddies got one of these brand new, silver with a black interior. A total stripper. Zero options. He let me driver it and it rode like it had square concrete tires. Roughest riding car I was ever in…period. Oh yeah, my daily driver was a 1958 Triumph Tr 3
seems like that’s what 50% of this site is – reminiscing about what was or what could be. i love reading about these walks down memory lane!
Did you check the air in the tires ?
Several times . . . (LOL)
Ugly and beautiful at the same time