The Plymouth Barracuda got a big restyle for 1970, with a new body that took the car to legendary status and created a demand that seems to continue to keep growing. Plymouth wrapped up production at the end of the 1974 model, and while the 1970-1974 models all look similar from the sides, it’s the ’70 and ’71 cars that usually cause the most fanfare. Three versions were offered for 1970, including the base coupe and the sportier ‘Cuda, but the third model, the more luxurious Gran Coupe, is often the one that gets the least recognition. Two Slant 6 engines were available in the ’70 Gran Coupe, as well as a choice of four different V8s, so the buyer had plenty of options to choose from when it came to performance. If you’ve been in the market for an E-Body project and dig purple paint, this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe may be just what you’ve been looking for. It’s located in Manahawkin, New Jersey, and can be seen here on eBay with the bidding resting at $9,100.
FC7 was the paint code for Chrysler’s high-impact purple color, known as In Violet for Plymouth cars and Plum Crazy over at the Dodge division. We don’t get a lot of history about the Gran Coupe being offered for sale here, but the fender tag is present and it’s for sure an FC7 car, and judging from the patina, maybe even still wears some of the original paint. The car is complete, but like many of its E-Body counterparts, there will be some rust issues for the next owner to contend with. The seller says the roof is the worst part, but there’s also some rot in the quarter panels and fenders.
Under the hood is one of Plymouth’s inline 6-cylinder engines, which is said to crank and wants to start when sprayed but doesn’t, an issue that the seller believes may be due to a faulty ignition wire. He also thinks with some work it will run, but beyond this, we are not given any other specifics about the motor or the drivetrain. The car is equipped with an automatic transmission, but no word about that either.
The interior also appears to be mostly complete, including both the floor and roof consoles, and while it doesn’t really look all that bad there’s going to be some work needed to return the inside to its former glory. The floor is said to need a little work, but frame rails are stated to be solid, plus several photos from underneath are provided, including this one. This is a no reserve auction, so the high bidder will be taking the car home. What are your thoughts on this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe?
I hope no one over pays for this overrated color . I don’t hate it but , I wouldn’t buy a car because of it .
One of the ugliest colors for a car is purple.
Drivers side looks good…
My family had a Chrysler Plymouth dealership then. My sister had just earned her license had a Gran Coupe identical to this color combination ordered for her. It was identical to this car except it had a 318. I remember how pitiful it was in the snow.
Sometime in the spring of 1970 she miscalculated the speed of an oncoming car, pulled out in front of it and was clocked in the passenger rear quarter. The car was repair and sold. I thought this was it until I saw the engine
I hope it’s left as a /6 flat hood car because you don’t see those often in e-bodies, as opposed to all the 383/440/Hemi cars out there (real or otherwise). But then, this won’t be my car, so not my call.
Buckets, console and A/C on a 6 cyl car ? Not sure I have ever seen that combo and add the color and Grand Coup ? Dam. Someone sure wanted the look without the horseies. I’d agree, this is one odd combo, leave it with the leaning tower of power.
Gran Coupe, A/C and a slant six might be rarer than a similar car with a 318.
Back in ‘72 a friend bought a ‘70 Baracuda Gran Coupe with a slant six in red with white vinyl roof and white buckets.
I still owned my first car which was a clean ‘67 Fairlane GTA S Code in black/black.
Ed’s Barracuda seemed like a futuristic space craft compared to my Fairlane so I started hunting Chrysler Plymouth dealerships in the NW Indiana and South Chicago areas for any V8 Cuda or Barracuda as long as it wasn’t black, red or purple.
I probably only found four Cudas.
One black and three purple…
I was 19 and in a big hurry like most nineteen year olds so I was giving up.
As I walked into the Abrahamson Chrysler Plymouth dealership in Highland Indiana to use the restroom I had a salesman humping my leg all the way into the dealership until I stopped just long enough to watch a ‘73 Road Runner, white, red striping, black buckets, console delete, four speed 400 rotating slowly in the showroom…
The salesman immediately blurted out, We’ll let you drive it out of the showroom today!”
I had a credit union check burning a hole in my pocket and immediately replied ‘Okay!’
I’m still looking for that particular Cuda/Barracuda but I’m past restoration projects, especially rust bucket restoration and the costs for a decent one are out of reach…
I’ve been a Blue Oval guy since that Road Runner (other than my German cars) but the 70-74 Cudas still seem like a cleaner exterior design than the Mustangs of those years.
$15,035 now, ends tonight, also has a Camaro listed.
I had a 70 Barracuda Gran Coupe with a 318 and a 4spd pistol grip, no ac bought used in 1976 for $950, would do 15s in the quarter with a 2bbl, wished I hadn’t sold it, but Trans Ams were popular and I wanted one.
SOLD for $15,035.