When I first saw this 1966 Plymouth Barracuda, my initial thought was, “Man, I wish I’d been that well-preserved when I turned sixty!” Sadly, time has been less kind to me than it has been to this Plymouth, because it looks pretty impressive. The seller made a few minor changes, but the buyer could easily reverse them for the sake of authenticity. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Barracuda listed here on eBay in Menifee, California. The seller set their price at $23,900, indicating that the figure is firm.
When Ford unveiled the Mustang, many people considered it to be the first pony car. However, that isn’t correct, because Plymouth beat it to the punch by releasing the Barracuda two weeks earlier. The First Generation remained on sale until 1966, and our featured Barracuda rolled off the line on the 10th of March that year. That means it recently celebrated its sixtieth birthday. It looks pretty impressive for its age, with its Dark Red paint holding a mirror shine. The panels are straight, and the seller states that the Plymouth is rust-free. The enormous back window is one of the car’s distinctive styling features. Plymouth collaborated with PPG to create what was then the largest window installed in a production car. Like the rest of the glass, the window is crystal clear. The trim looks excellent, but the wheels aren’t original. The seller installed American Racing Torq Thrust II alloys with new tires, but I would prefer to see this classic wearing its original steelies and hubcaps.
The interior images reveal the second item I would remove if I became the Barracuda’s next owner. I’m sure that the Grant sports wheel is comfortable, but it looks out of place inside this classic. The carpet looks faded atop the transmission tunnel, and the Black vinyl front seatcovers are slightly stretched. However, the overall condition is comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade classic of this vintage, and the buyer could leave it as-is without feeling embarrassed when they hit the road. The dash and pad are in good condition, and the Plymouth retains its functioning factory radio.
Some readers will be disappointed to lift the Plymouth’s hood to discover that it doesn’t feature a V8. However, the 225ci slant-six is a great motor, and this one should deliver 145hp and 215 ft/lbs of torque. A three-speed TorqueFlite transmission tackles shifting duties, with the car featuring power steering and a front disc brake upgrade. The seller believes that the odometer reading of 74,000 miles is genuine, but we must take the claim at face value in the absence of documentary evidence. The important consideration is the mechanical condition, and here the news is positive. The car runs and drives extremely well, with the power steering light enough that the driver can point the Barracuda in the right direction with one finger. The deal includes some documentation, with the glovebox housing the Owner’s Manual.
Regular readers know my preference for original classics. Therefore, if this 1966 Plymouth Barracuda were to find its way into my garage, I would reverse the changes and return it to its factory form. You may disagree, and I respect your opinion if that is the case. Differing opinions are among the characteristics that make the classic world so interesting. So, what would you do?
Leave A Comment