Plymouth’s Barracuda got a new lease on life in 1970. Always a bridesmaid to the Ford Mustang, the Barracuda got its own new E-body platform (that was shared with the new Dodge Challenger). The Gran Coupe was introduced as the “luxury” model and accounted for 15% of sales that year. This example looks rougher than the seller may be making a case for, but it is certainly restorable (hey, it’s only time and money). Located in Columba, South Carolina, this orange Mopar is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,900. This is a “gran” tip brought to us by Patrick S!
If you ordered a Gran Coupe in 1970, that got you extras like leather upholstery, overhead console, and faux woodgrain accents. Most Gran Coupes built came with a 318 cubic inch V8 and TorqueFlite automatic transmission. That makes the seller’s car 1 of 4,742 coupes assembled in ’70, so perhaps the number of survivors after 55 years may be in the hundreds. When the seller bought this car, he was told it was capable of running, but hasn’t tried to make that happen.
This numbers-matching Barracuda needs restoring. It could be wearing original Vitamin C Orange, which wasn’t as vibrant as the Hi-Impact alternative, Hemi Orange. The leather interior is brown in color and may need a complete makeover (limited photos). While the trunk pan is said to be decent, the passenger floors are “weak” and should probably be replaced. The passenger side front fender is dented, so it should go as well.
Most collectors seem to go after the ‘Cuda models with big block engines (up to a 426 Hemi). But restoring this Gran Coupe as it left the line would result in a car that is lesser-seen in Mopar circles. Would you stay the course with the original car or opt for a ‘Cuda tribute?
The inside door panels are just molded plastic and they feel cheap
The road goes on forever, and the party never ends with the prices of these clapped out Mopars . In what world is this dog worth nearly 16K? Certainly not mine.
I love the Joe Ely referance!
It’s actually Robert Earl Keen, but Joe Ely did a great cover.
Supply and demand…..simple.
Just like your clapped out Camaros
Oh, I agree that there some people that seem to think that their junk yard dog Camaro’s and Chevelle’s are a jewel in the rough, it’s just that there seems to be a whole lot more Mopars, (and they seem to be farther gone) Just my opinion, but you do you.
Back in the 70’s we had a neighbor who was a Chrysler dealer mechanic. He brought one home because it was lagging on the lot & the 72’s were coming out. It was a 383 2-v. He grabbed some parts off the shelf at the dealer – cam, manifold,carb & opened up the exhaust. Left the hubcaps on it. Thing was a monster.
mat be destined to be cloned into something its not
The Gran Coupe was the “secretary” version of the Barracuda, kind of like the Grande/Ghia was for the Mustang and, later, the Camaro Type LT/Berlineta and Firebird Espirit. Dodge did not lean into it as hard with the Challenger S/E but it was the same idea. It’s hard to believe that this was a big important segment, but it certainly was. It ushered in the personal luxury craze of the mid to late 1970s.
I definitely wouldn’t clone it. I think i’m going to scream if I see one more ‘Cuda tribute. Those cars have gotten so mainstream and popular with the less knowledgeable car enthusiast, I get no excitement out of seeing one now. Even an original. So I would want go full Gran, but the problem is the value wouldn’t justify it, especially at this crazy price.
That dog is in full realty, per the market place! People still have some strange idea they are still living in 1986 or somewhere last century, and a bottle of coke is a quarter. Or you can purchase a house for 25k. Get real, rarity costs, especially when you are looking at the survivors from the muscle car Era, where most were crashed and burned…they just do not exist anymore! If the market was not holding these current prices they would drop, simple supply and demand…geez basic economics 101..
You forgot rusted away.
My dad’s sales car was a 70 Grand cpe 318, he traded in the 69 fury 3 two door that was a 383 car. Then he traded the barracuda for a 72 Road Runner 400 with air grabber, rallys, basin street blue (petty blue) full black vinyl top. That was actually a super great car. He drove the wheels off it for four years 192,000 miles. Traded that for a 75 leftover Fury , and regretted it from day one. So he swapped with my mom and took over her yellow 73 Barracuda and he drove that car for 150,000 miles. The he ended up buying the company he had worked for and wasn’t traveling any longer except by plane. He bought a 77 cordova …
That color combo is great and will bring the sale for those arm chair restorers.
In answer to the ending question of the writeup: None of the above. That one is a thrasher! Hard pass. Exit stage left!