Back in my youth, my dad once took me to look at a group of 1st and 2nd generation Barracudas. The owner wanted them all gone and while I really wanted a 1970 Barracuda, I figured a ’69 Notchback like this one would do! The owner wanted just $3,500 for the car and it had the mighty 383. That was a lot of money for a 17 year old, but I had been saving all summer and had just enough to make it happen. When I returned to make the deal, I discovered that one of the neighbors had come over and told the owner that it was worth 10 times what I offered. So no deal was made and until just a few years ago the car was still parked out in the owner’s driveway just rusting away. When I saw this bright red ’69 Notchback here on eBay it brought back a flood or memories and forgotten dreams.
It was probably for the best that I didn’t get that Barracuda, as the 383 was too much power for the heavy right foot I had in those days. This car would have been a much better option for me, as it has the 230 horsepower 318 V8. It’s enough to have fun, but not enough to get into too much trouble. Sadly, this car has some serious rust issues that will require addressing before it can be put back on the road.
As stated, this car has lots of rust issues. The seller is quite clear about the issues though, as he got skunked by the previous owner. The current owner purchased it off of eBay just a few weeks ago from a dishonest seller. They hadn’t disclosed the rust in the roof, but stated that it just needed a new vinyl top. Seeing as the car has so many rust issues, the seller has realized it’s just too big of a project for him to tackle. It’s always stinks to get skunked by a dishonest seller, but at least this seller is doing the right thing and being honest about the cars condition.
Outside of the rust issues, this car actually looks quite complete. The engine is currently running and the seller has driven the car around his yard. He claims the frame rails are solid, but admits the floors need work, as does the rockers and quarter panels. It also needs interior work, but compared to the rust issues, that’s a pretty minor task. I feel for this seller, but at the same time it reminds me of how important it is we do our own due diligence whenever buying a car long distance. If this car were a bit more solid, I would actually be tempted to buy it so I can live my teenage dream that never was fulfilled! So what cars did you guys dream of owning when your were a teenager?
He paid $3500 plus shipping (presumably), so hopefully he doesn’t lose out too badly. The previous seller’s photos show lots of things, but leave out pictures of the very rusty areas. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Plymouth-Barracuda-/161868753366?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25b02129d6%3Ag%3AhzIAAOSwhcJWLAqF&item=161868753366&nma=true&si=GlZ7jeGRWfMynYflg16ilUKTD54%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Boy, if it was me, I woulda put a contract out on your a**hole neighbor!
The seller seems to be honest enough, but even if I wanted a late ’60s ‘Cuda notchback — which I don’t — this one strikes me as way too much work for any possible return. Old Chrysler products seem to have held a special attraction for rust; if you can see some: wait, there’s more!
We don’t know how much money he gave the previous owner, but perhaps eBay should buy this and display it with a sign saying “inspect before you buy!”
Chrysler product of those days were typically great drive trains and crappy bodies
Seems to me like just about every piece of sheet metal will need either a full or partial replacement. I don’t know how the previous seller could live with themselves after the hosing the current seller got. And he probably didn’t kiss him, call him back or say “I love you”.
AGreed
I’ve been burned before, a few times and I had plenty of pictures and there was still issues the seller didn’t tell me. If the price is high for any car you should spend some money for an independent inspection, it’ll give you a better understanding of what your buying. I looked at the pictures and it was pretty obvious the top had rust underneath it, the bubbling by the back window is blatant.
The vehicle should be warranty by Ebay. They state that if the vehicle is not in the condition the seller said it was, the vehicle goes back to the seller. I know this is true because I purchased a 1956 Chevy 2 door hardtop through Ebay. the vehicle was not as described. the vehicle was shipped to upstate NY from Colorado. contacted Ebay the matter was settled in 2 weeks. The vehicle could have been returned with shipping charged to the seller. but I gave him $5000.00 less for the vehicle and kept it.
While I do feel bad for this person, the old saying is true. Buyer beware. It may not be what the buyer thought it was, but it is still a ’69 notchback Cuda, and most were the fastback. ( in high school, a friend had a car just like this, only 273/4 speed, and I had never seen a notchback Cuda before) Not really that bad, from what we can see. There’s a lesson to be learned here, if you can’t see the car in person, contact an inspector. Probably would have saved this person a lot of headaches.
This is why I stopped buying cars on ebay…the photos always make the car look better than it is.
So, I went to the eBay advanced search and found the auction that the current seller must have bought it from (see below).
Since 2002 I have purchased 11 cars/pickups and 2 boats while selling 2 cars and 1 pickup using eBay. Everything I’ve bought has been what I expected and I’m hoping those sold are the same. Frankly, in looking at the auction he bought it from, I don’t think the current seller got jobbed at all (at least as far as the post goes).
I don’t see how you can see a post like this, not ask the right questions, bid to win and then be disappointed. The car is clearly a mess and the write up minimal. From the sellers perspective it may have been entirely accurate. The current seller seems like someone who shouldn’t be buying project cars anywhere, let alone sight unseen. Here’s the old post…
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-Plymouth-Barracuda-/161868753366?forcerrptr=true&hash=item25b02129d6%3Ag%3AhzIAAOSwhcJWLAqF&item=161868753366&nma=true&si=qTwkxZ3zwbgL3YEBHXy6NX6fWag%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Oh, and I just looked at the bid history… the guy (current seller) actually never bid until he sniped it 14 seconds before auction closed… total buyers remorse going on…
Bingo!
And to boot….. The under carriage shots as well as the engine bay appear to indicate the car sat in a swimming pool for years! Common sense would dictate the car would be a rust bucket ….. Not to mention what appears to be mold( or flash glare) on the seats. Caveat Emptor
I have a hood with no holes cut in it for whomever buys this one. Bubbles around the rear window also doesnt necessarily mean rust all the time. My 67 cuda notch had bad bubbles all the way around the vinyl top but not a single bit of rust once i pulled it off!
After looking at the original post this guy was not scammed he just plain bought something he discovered was more work than he’s able to do. This is his stupidity not the previous seller being dishonest, the only issue with the first seller is he should have shot pics of the bad sheet metal otherwise his post was honest about needing outer rockers and quarters.
Agree 100%
I’ve bought two Packards on Ebay, a ’37 and a ’38. The ’37 was better than described and as close to a #1 vehicle as I’ve ever owned- beautifully restored, well preserved older restoration. The seller of the ’38 conveniently left out the fact that it smoked like a chimney and couldn’t make it up a slight incline.
“Lotsa rust issues” Really??? The rear window is about to fall out and the roof, well, that’s a nightmare in itself..
Do the “keep away” dance on this one and get some sleep..
Shows it was relisted and sold for $2250.