Having been tucked away safely in a garage since the mid-eighties, this 1974 Plymouth Barracuda seems more solid than many E-Bodies that turn up in the marketplace, and the seller states that it hasn’t seen a drop of rain in nearly four decades or longer. That’s not to say it wouldn’t benefit from a nice restoration, but it’s come a long way already since being rescued from the long hibernation. While the final year Barracuda may not be quite as desirable as some of its predecessors performance-wise, this Mopar still retained that great-looking body style, and I’m seeing quite a bit of potential here. This 1974 Plymouth Barracuda is in Bayonne, New Jersey, and can be spotted here on eBay. So far, bidding has reached $11,100 without lifting the reserve, but another option worth considering is the $20,000 buy-it-now price.
The Barracuda cleaned up rather nicely, but even with nearly forty years of not encountering any water, there are still a few areas that show some rust. Fortunately, most of it appears relatively minor, with the lower quarters and right inner front fender being specifically mentioned as needing attention. The seller tells us that the exterior has only been resprayed once, and if it’s just a cool driver you’re seeking, the outside could probably go indefinitely and turn plenty of heads until the next owner is ready to take it to a higher level. Some really favorable news is that the exposed metal underneath the vinyl section that’s missing around the rear window is showing mostly adhesive on the surface, from when the material was replaced before the car went into storage, with the roof believed to be nearly rust-free.
For its final year of production, only two engine choices remained, which included a 318 and a 360 cubic-inch V8. This one’s equipped with the former, with the owner confirming that both the motor and automatic transmission are the original components. Even after the long hiatus from operation, the 318 is said to still start right up and run great, with no smoke, and although it’s not presently blowing cold, all of the A/C parts are still in place.
Considering it’s past the half-century mark, most of the interior remains in surprisingly good condition, and while it would have been a plus to find a console inside, the column shifter is sort of fun too. The dash only has one visible crack, but it may as well have a dozen, as anything beyond a sole split will require a new pad, or perhaps temporarily throwing a cover on top. This one’s probably not too far from becoming a reliable driver, but also seems like a prime candidate to restore and maybe even put something a little more exciting under the hood in the process. What would you do with this 1974 Plymouth Barracuda?
Fantastic write-up, Mike! I’d bring it back to bone-stock, right down to white wall tires and wheel covers like the one on the RR wheel in the opening photo. That’s a color we don’t get to see too often, I love it!
Thanks for the kind words Scotty! I like this color a lot too, and am also feeling that returning this one back to its stock specs is a great choice. It’ll be fun to see what others think!
I’m going to piggyback off what Scotty said above. My sister in law had a Dodge Dart sedan ( like the one Scotty wrote up) and it was this exact color. When you see this color cleaned up, like it is here in person trust me, its beautiful. I actually like the column shift torque flight on this one and a 318 is just a great all around engine. Ditto on the original wheel covers and white walls too. Not every Baracuda left the factory with these rims. Although I do admit, they really do dress this one up nicely……. Now that I think of it…… I could really go either way in the wheel department.
Great write up Mike, and a great find too. And the owner did a fantastic job cleaning it up.
Thanks, Driveinstile, I’m happy to hear that others appreciate a column shift automatic too!
The transmission is a 904, not the 727 Torqueflight. The 904 is a solid transmission in its own right though and should be good to go.
I believe the TorqueFlite is the general family name that gave birth to both the 727 and 904, so technically, this is still a TorqueFlite? There are numerous websites showing the specs and listing this three-speed automatic as a “TorqueFlite” without the specific model number, which is actually an A904.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TorqueFlite
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1974/2691125/plymouth_cuda_318_torqueflite.html#gsc.tab=0
As I stated prior cuda postings I had a 72, green. White interior ect. It was stolen while I was in the Navy. Still wanting another, I am considering this one after all these years (I’m 65 now). Something to think about
As I stated prior cuda postings I had a 72, green. White interior ect. It was stolen while I was in the Navy. My shifter was on the console and this one one is collum but Still wanting another, I am considering this one after all these years (I’m 65 now). Something to think about
This car appears to have a nifty little option you don’t see very often in E-bodies…rear window defroster. It’s the switch on the dash next to the dash dimmer switch. My 74 Challenger has it…basically a big old blower motor that mounts underneath the rear package tray…works well! Cool car, even if it does ‘only’ have a 318. And A/C! GLWTS!
Gary, I noticed that too – very rare to see that. My pretty much plain jane ’73 had it, along with the map light and fender turn signal indicators.
My ’73 had been repainted to this same color, but mine had the green interior. I thought it was a great color and still do.
One thing I noticed is that the front rubber bumper guards were removed – they are visible in the first pictures. I would have left them on for a better stock appearance. The rear ones have the rubber missing for some reason.
My ’72 Charger SE had one of those. It used the passenger side rear speaker opening as an air intake.
That’s what I recall. And like an idiot, I removed it all and probably tossed it when I installed my 6 x 9s.
I love seeing E bodies that haven’t been turned into muscle car clones. If it were mine the only deviations from stock would be period correct aftermarket wheels i.e. cragars or slots and a Pioneer or Craig FM 8 track under the dash.
That’s exactly what I did to my ’73 Barracuda in ’79. Cragars and underdash Craig cassette player and FM Converter.
I normally bend toward keeping it stock or close to it but I’m sorry, this is a Cuda. : )
I’d plant a period correct mildly built 440 with a 727, posi rear-end and leave the rest then drive it till the wheels fall off.
Bucket seats and an auto on the column. The only thing worse is a bench seat with auto on the column. That has to be the worst combination for any two door car built between 1965 and 1974.
Joe, that’s the way my ’73 was equipped – column auto and buckets.
It might surprise you how many sporty cars came that way, even Superbirds.
Apparently, many people preferred to shift their autos that way.
sure, he paid less than his asking price
While he did pay less than his asking price, he subsequently put $6k into it once he bought it. He barley broke even on material and lost 100% of his labor.
SOLD for $18,500.