Some project cars leave me scratching my head, and this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda is one such vehicle. The seller sank a considerable sum into its panels and paint but chose to part with it when it emerged from the paint shop. The buyer can add the finishing touches to create the muscle car of their dreams, including slotting the supplied non-original V8 under the hood. If you feel the need for speed, you will find this classic listed here on eBay in Assaria, Kansas. The bidding sits at $21,877 but is yet to meet the reserve.

Plymouth introduced its Third Generation Barracuda in 1970, and I’ve previously stated my belief that it is one of the best-looking vehicles to emerge from any manufacturer during this time. The proportions are right, and you know that fitting a decent set of wheels to fill the wheel wells will give the Barracuda a genuine muscle car appearance. I also admire manufacturers from this era for their vision to be bold with paint shades. It seems that cars wearing black, white, or gold are a dime a dozen. However, Chrysler gave us such shades as Plum Crazy, Vitamin C Orange, and the Sub Lime that graces this classic’s panels. The seller indicates it is the Barracuda’s original shade, with the car recently emerging from the paint booth rust-free and ready for the buyer to add the finishing touches. They attacked this task properly, paying a professional shop a cool $13,000 to whip the panels and paint into shape. There isn’t a flaw or defect visible, and rust is not a concern. The interior shots reveal some light surface corrosion in a couple of spots, so the buyer will probably choose to address these to prevent further deterioration. I’ve scanned the supplied photos but can’t determine whether all the glass is present. The same is true of the trim and chrome, but the wheels add a further sense of purpose. However, I’m not sold on them for this car and would probably opt for wider reproduction Rallye wheels that allow better brake cooling and suit the car’s character.

The seller indicates this Barracuda rolled off the showroom floor equipped with a 318ci V8 and a TorqueFlite transmission. That motor produced 230hp, which allowed this classic to cover the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. Most owners would have found that figure satisfactory, but not this Plymouth’s previous custodian. The vehicle saw service on the drag strip, so the engine and transmission were consigned to the scrapheap. It isn’t clear what they slotted under the hood, but the car is now a roller featuring an 8¾” rear end that the current owner believes is either a Posi or a spool. They include an engine and transmission combination that would give this beast the performance to match its looks. There is a 440ci V8 and an A-727 TorqueFlite, both of 1970 vintage. The seller stripped the V8, confirming that it suits a rebuild. They suggest a .030″ bore would be a wise move, and once installed, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t pump out 375hp. If the buyer achieves that figure, it should slash the ¼-mile ET to around 14 seconds. That has to be an option too tempting to resist.

One aspect of this build where the new owner needs to splash some cash is on this Plymouth’s interior. The seller has seats and a few trim pieces, but the vehicle needs a complete interior upholstery kit. The buyer must ascertain what is missing and the “look” they wish to achieve before digging into their wallet. It is unlikely to be a cheap exercise, but I generally stress to potential buyers it represents a one-off expense. If they source a high-quality kit and install it correctly, it should still present well for decades. That makes it a worthwhile investment.

If the buyer elects to rebuild the supplied drivetrain combination for installation into this 1970 Barracuda, they will become the proud owner of a classic perfectly combining stunning performance and good looks. It won’t be a genuine numbers-matching muscle car, but it will command respect from fellow enthusiasts. Bidding has been spirited, although not as intense as I might expect. What would be your approach if you found it sitting in your workshop?