The Plymouth Barracuda debuted just 17 days before the Ford Mustang in April of 1964. And got totally lost in all the furor that the popular Mustang brought with it. The genre was even named after the Mustang, aka “pony car.” The 1964-66 Barracuda was only offered as a fastback, while the Mustang could be had in three varieties. This 1965 edition of the Barracuda ran when it was parked in 1991, so it’s going to need an extreme makeover. Located in Florissant, Colorado, this Slant-Six project is available here on craigslist for $5,100.
When the Barracuda arrived mid-year, it was still considered a 1964 model. In contrast, all Mustangs produced between March 1964 and August 1965 were considered 1965 models (even though some people refer to the earlier ones as 1964 1/2s). The Barracuda fastback had a wraparound rear window, far more pronounced than the Ford’s when it debuted six months later. During its first three years, Plymouth managed to produce 126,000 copies of the Barracuda. But hardly anyone noticed as Ford delivered nearly 1.3 million Mustangs in the same period.
This Mopar may have been a Colorado car all its life, sold new in Colorado Springs. It was a basic Barracuda in that a Slant-Six came with it when new, probably 225 cubic inches. Numbers matching, it’s still in the car though not operable, and paired with a TorqueFlite automatic transmission (floor shifted with a console). The car didn’t quite reach the 100k mileage mark, stopping short at 97,900. There is no fluid in the transmission as the pan was removed, then reinstalled.
Finished in Copper Metallic paint, it was redone many moons ago, and rust is present in places like the rear quarter panels. The interior is original, but time has taken its toll, so most of it will need to be redone (seats, carpeting, dash pad, etc.). The Plymouth wears vintage slotted mag wheels, and we’re told the tires are 50 years old but have no dry rot due to separate dry storage. In a sea of 1965 Mustangs, wouldn’t a revived Barracuda be quite the standout? Kudos to Barn Finder Barney for the tip!
I hope the buyer restores it close to original as possible. Always one of my favorite cars.
I always think of the past drag car “Hemi under glass” where the big engine was placed under the back.
The design was nice on these cars …
I was at the first Spring Nationals in Bristol when Hemi under glass debuted. I was in the pits unloading my car close to the Barracuda, and a mechanic who was working on it dropped a wrench. Rather than crawling under to get it he just grabbed the front bumper, grunted & lifted off the ground and picked up his tool. Betcha there wasn’t more than 100lbs of weight on the front wheels without a driver in it!
I always liked the early Barracudas. They looked alot better then Mustangs ever did. That slant 6 was an indestructible engine. I guess Ford promoted the Mustang alot better then the Barracuda was. I remember as 5 yr old kid, Ford had big display for Mustang at 1964 New York’s World Fair.
The rear window is probably worth $5K.
these broke very rarely
I’ll take a grand for my two….1 is tinted……
Lovely looking car. I hope whoever buys this Cuda enjoys it and takes care of it. I’ve always loved the first two generations of Plymouth Cuda. 🙂
Well comparing a fish to a horse hardly makes sense. My friend Fred had a 65 Barracuda 273 V8 with 4 speed manual on the floor. He seldom ever drove it as he preferred his 41 Chevy panel truck. I watched a couple tv shows (documentaries) where a Barracuda was the subject car. That big back window is almost unobtainable and costly to replace should it get broken.
God Bless America
Owned both – a 2+2 fastback Stang with a 289 floor shift a many a Barracuda….would take a Cuda over it for just the ride – the handling and actually the stock get up and go. Ever get into a 2+2….they aren’t fot tall guys….back to this one….pretty sure the motor is not orginal….has some work in the quarters…..would be a good buy at $2500…..is that a trailer hitch out back ? Oh….and did I mention I had two back windows laying around ? In 50yrs of collecting/parting Cudas I’ve only sold 1 back window – wasn’t broke – body man got to close with the sander…..
worth 5k. still has selling dealer badge on it. the rear glass is worth a pile. i would get it running and safe and just cruise it.
I’d want a 4 spd behind that slant six. Price would make more sense if it were a runner. For the right money it would be a nice project.
4sp only a V8 option Chrysler never offered it on a SS until the awful 4sp OD in a Volare. 3sp was standard. They actualy were pretty nice, better and far cheaper then an auto, back then autos were an option, just the opposite of today where finding a stick is almost impossible.
Yes, a 3 spd would work well too! Had a floor shifted 3 spd behind a slant 6 in a 67 belvedere wagon back in the 90’s. Not factory of course. Something a friend had put together trying to save gas, as opposed the original 383 the wagon was born with, on a cross country jaunt. The 6 & 3 worked well in that big wagon here in the city and out on the highway.
Wrong…..they actually started standard floor shifts going back to 1961 on the little A bodies…..
No accounting for taste, but I think overwhelming numbers would indicate pretty strong disagreement, aragenbull.
I’d question the “numbers matching” claim. This appears to be a much newer slant six. Unless it’s been repainted, there were no corporate blue engines in 1965, and even the valve cover has the appearance of a very late ’60s or 1970s engine.
I wonder if the car is still available. I would pay 5 grand for this car after looking at it a little closer.and I would keep it original
As far as the back window….if you find a 1964/66 Cuda in the wrecking yard – it will be stripped…..but still have that back window !
As I said they never break.
I would take one of these any day over an equivalent ’65 Mustang.
For decades I did not like these at all. Over the last few years they’ve grown on me. Although I really prefer a V8 in cars like this, the Slant 6, especially the 225, is a great engine and they have aftermarket aluminum intakes so you could run a low cfm, like 390 or 450 cfm 4bbl. Headers. Cams. Shift kit in the automatic. Yes I’d modify it some but I would be happy with the Slant 6 and automatic. Built like I mentioned you’d have acceptable power and really stand out at a car show because of the built 6. Oh yeah, disc brakes on all 4 corners.
I tried to make a comment about for decades I didn’t like these but recently grew to like them a lot. It wouldn’t let me. I won’t be surprised if this won’t show up.