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Chicken Coop Find: 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible

A Plymouth ‘Cuda from 1970 always ends up being front-page news, but a standard Barracuda? Not so much so. But, how about a ’70 Barracuda convertible? That’s hardly an everyday find but that’s exactly what we have for your review today. This Plymouth fish convertible is located in Manahawkin, New Jersey and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $7,600 with seven bids tendered so far.

According to Musclecarfacts.com, Plymouth produced 1,554 Barracuda convertibles in 1970 with another 596 “Gran Coupe” convertibles and 635 of the ‘Cuda variety rounding out the total count. As a percentage, the convertible body style made up only 5.3% of total Plymouth E-Body production in ’70.

While still a nice find, this example is not without its foibles. Sitting in a chicken coop for 40 years, it’s pretty rusty though the seller states, “Frame is real solid all-around” which is a reference to the reinforced undersides of this Mopar unibody. And that said, there is a lot of scale spread all over every underside component. The head-scratcher is the doors as the seller adds, “Has coupe doors pretty solid on it so will need different glass (doors are strapped on will need to be bolted)”. Okaaay, that’s different. Obviously, the bumpers, grille, headlights, trim, etc. are missing and the folding top is marginal but at least it and its frame are present.

Upfront is a 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8 “LA” engine. The seller makes no reference to the motor and it looks as if it hasn’t been operational since its pre chicken coop slumming days. It may or may not be seized but regardless, it will probably require a complete rebuild. The mileage is listed as only being 51K but no claim to that recording is offered. There’s no visible speedometer/odometer so it’s uncertain how that mileage indication was determined. As is almost always the case, a three-speed Torque-Flite automatic transmission is positioned behind the LA small block.

The interior is as rough as the exterior. The black vinyl seats are barely fair and reveal the usual damage of splits and rips. The instrument panel and door cards are missing and the seller advises, “Floor and trunk look ok few small spots here and there except for rear driver toe pan that needs to be done( looks like someone fiberglassed over the floors and trunk pan…“. Further stated is, “Missing some interior parts…(but the) dash pad is in very nice shape“. The dash pad will probably be the least of the next owner’s concerns. But hey, it does have a radio!

It would be nice to see this Barracuda saved, in some respects, it’s a more interesting car than the ‘Cuda version which is more commonly found, over-priced, and media-covered to death. This Barracuda convertible qualifies as a member of the seldom-seen as so few appear to have been saved. Nevertheless, the next owner of this drop-top E-Body is going to have their work cut out for them, wouldn’t you agree?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    Be prepared for a long, expensive search to obtain all the needed parts, and THEN the paint work! The seller is also advertising a Gran Coupe convertible that structurally is in worse shape than this one, and the bids on it are close to this one. The potential to go underwater is big on these. GLWTA and to the winning bidder!! :-)

    Like 4
    • Avatar Dave

      1-800-YEAR-ONE for the parts, but it’s not for the faint of wallet! The time to get the bodywork right is the killer here. Things that require fasteners are always the easiest to fix.

      Like 4
    • Avatar Ward William

      I respectfully disagree. From watching Graveyard Carz for many years, from what I can see, there is a flourishing market in new manufactured OEM parts. I’d bet Tony D’agostino from Tony’s MOPAR Parts will have most of the stuff required. No mention whether it’s numbers matching or not but at at up to $12k, if I were in the US, I’d be all over it.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Mark Zaccaria

      My favorite car ever – this is my fifth! The trunk pan has already been replaced with a one-piece and the main floor pan is next. So far the frame rails are solid. All new metal for the quarters and fenders. The doors and trunk lid provided were ok. Some impact to the front passenger side apparent. Have an original dual scoop hood. Once all of the basic sheet metal is completed it will be a very desirable project to finish. New glass and interior hard to find. MZ

      Like 1
      • Avatar PRA4SNW

        Glad to hear that this one is going to be saved!

        Like 0
  2. Avatar Fahrvergnugen Member

    Almost thought the auction site was Musclecarfarts.com. Nearly lost lunch.

    This one def fits the mis-read, though. Lots of gas, needed and supplied.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Ken

    The Camaro and maybe blazer? In the background look interesting

    Like 2
    • Avatar piston poney

      so does the ´70 chevelle and the mustang fastback

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Terrry

    I can’t understand the popularity of these things today. They were junk then, and they’re rusty junk now.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Gary Rhodes

      I’ve never seen a Camaro or Mustang convertible hit $1,500,000.00 but I have seen several Cuda convertibles that have.

      Like 5
  5. Avatar Charles Sawka

    I could spend a whole lot of money on way better things !

    Like 7
  6. Avatar Royal

    Someone could use this to build a Mannix Tribute Car

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Candy Carmin

    the trolling peasants whine loudly

    Like 6
  8. Avatar Mark

    Lots of rust and missing parts. Someone has decided that the parts they pulled off of this were worth more than the rest of car. Googling reveals that everything seems to be available, and the prices seem okay — grill $500, bumpers $200 each, instruments $1000 etc. But it will also need an engine, trnansmission, tinwork, wiring, interior, and…..
    In the ebd it will be worth $130 grand plus inflation. It will probably cost all of that to get it there

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Steve RM

    I was looking at the engine picture and the carb looks really small. I’m assuming it’s a 2bbl but it looks like a 1bbl.
    Can one of you Mopar guys tell me what the difference is between a
    Barracuda and a ‘Cuda?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Moparman Member

      The Barracuda was the “base” version, usually powered by a /6, or 318 c.i. engine. The ‘cuda was the sportier, hi-po version, initially powered by v-8’s from 340 to 440 c.i.. Hope that helps you!! :-)

      Like 1
  10. Avatar Gary Rhodes

    Terrry, I’ve never seen a Camaro or Mustang convertible hit $1,500,000.00 but I have seen several Cuda convertibles that have done so.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar PRA4SNW

    3 1970 Barracudas in one day – thank you Barn Finds!!!!!

    Like 2

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