Dang, I was just in Goldendale, Washington; this guy apparently hadn’t decided to sell his Formula S yet. But here it is on craigslist, Plymouth’s high-performance package wrapped in the early body style, showing off that impressive rear glass. The seller wants $18,500, and that’s just about right for this niche-y pony car, especially given its long-term ownership stretching back to the 1980s. Yes, the base Barracuda was a dressed-up Valiant, but the Formula S had the right stuff to compete against the Mustang; Plymouth was just a bit late to the pony party. Here’s why I’m sorry I missed visiting this car —
The base Barracuda was fine when equipped with a 225 cu. in. slant six, but it was much more scintillating when it packed the 273 V8, good for 180 hp. Then in 1965, the Formula S came along, with a four-barrel set-up on the Commando engine. An aggressive cam and domed pistons yield a 10.5:1 compression ratio, boosting output to 235 hp. Underneath, the Rallye Suspension package includes heavy-duty torsion bars and springs, along with a front anti-sway bar. This car was produced before disc brakes came standard – I’d think about that as an upgrade. A TorqueFlite automatic handles gearshifts; I’d rather have a manual, but back in the day, an auto incurred an upcharge. The condition of this engine bay offers upside: a few hours and some elbow grease would have this looking ten times better.
The dash appears as if it’s cracked in a couple of places – maybe not, hard to tell, but I almost hope so because that’s a bargaining chip. The carpet needs replacing, a few errant wires are peeking out, and the upholstery needs cleaning – but it’s not torn! If I visit the car, I expect to see so-so rubber seals and a few other trim problems that I will wish didn’t exist – but overall, this interior is tolerable. Oh yeah – see that lonely gauge out there to the left? That’s the tach supplied with the Formula S kit. Ok, it’s not an elegant installation – thanks Plymouth – but it’s there!
The money shot is this enormous back glass, but I also like the tidy back bumper and the weird tail lights punctuated by round back-up lenses – straight off the Valiant. Despite their humble origin, I still like ’em. This car received new paint – including the trademark Formula S stripes – sometime in the 1990s. These early Barracudas tipped the scales at about 3100 lbs; later generations grew in width, wheelbase, and weight. I’ve always liked this car, and the Formula S package is a bonus; thanks to Curvette for finding this one. I might have to trek back up I84 to take a look. What do you think of this example?
Introduced before the Mustang in April 1964, I don’t understand why you said Plymouth was late.
Because while the Barracuda was first on the ground, buyers recognized it as a Valiant. Performance was available but tying the new model to the humble Valiant did not endear it to the buying public. The attention to performance came in ’65, after the Mustang had become America’s darling. It’s clear in the sales figures, Plymouth never caught up.
Oh…a BO29H Cuda never caught up….because it was waaay ahead the rest !!!
Will disagree on the price – not sure if this was a color change but looks funny with the black inside…..is there a fender tag….more under pictures would help….is the Form S exhaust on the right side ? Funny attena ?
Oh well….at least Ai is half right…..
Can you imagine trying to replace that back glass ?
Good luck !
Believe or not they rarely broke
I’ve had 3 Baracudas. (1 ’64 and 2 ’65s) The one ’65 I bought with a broken rear glass. I was able to get a used one out of the junk yard. (Laying on your back pushing like crazy to remove it and not break it is very stressful.) But reinstalling one is a piece of cake. Just use the lubricated rope trick just like any other “gasketed” windshield.
And yes Michelle, absolutely upgrade the brakes. This car has pitiful brakes. Trying to stop from 120 mph was a joke! Managed to slow down to 90 mph before actually giving up. Butt off the seat, both feet on the brake pedal, hands at the bottom of the steering wheel and smoke pouring out of all four wheel wells from the brake linings burning. At just about 20 mph. The hydraulics gave up. Cruised through the stop sign I. 1st gear and parking brake all the way out at about 5 mph.
Find an Aspen/Volare and swap out the spindles, rotors, calipers and master cylinder. While at it, snag the rear diff. Then you have the option of “a real bolt pattern (5×4.5”) for a good wheel selection.
I believe it was a gasket set.
Not hard….have a few in stock – only sold one in 50yrs….and that was because the body man got to close with the sander….
Casey, you couldn’t have asked a better question!! A friend of mine who inherited his Mom’s car which was the same exact model, only a different color. Unfortunately for him when he got the car, it had a small crack in the back window, wanting to get new glass he began his hunt! The time was 1978, could absolutely not find the glass, every where he looked the glass companies said the same thing out of production years earlier. He ended up in the junk yard where he finally found it!!
I agree that putting the Barracuda on the Valiant platform held these back, but the Mustang was just a re-bodied Falcon. Ford just did a better job of hiding its humble origins.
no they didnt ! once we got a look at the front “suspension ” on them , all was revealed
The Mustang had a major marketing advantage courtesy of the 1964 World’s Fair.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved the 1965-70 Plymouth Cuda. I’d keep as much of the car as stock as possible, while also upgrading what can be upgraded.
My dad had one. It ran well, Never gave him any trouble. And regretted it after it was sold.
These cars were as tough as nails! Had a 65 in 1967, age 17. Raced every mustang in town ,then went to the drag strip on Sundays. Had to replace the clutch and diff, but the engine and 4-speed seemed bullet proof. Loaned it to a college roommate one evening and he rolled it several times, then walked away. That was the end of my Barracuda.
Ouch! What the hell was he doing when he rolled the Cuda?
At least he walked away. If only the car could’ve.
Mine was a bronze 65 273 Commando 4sp with stripe. Engine had the black wrinkle valve covers, chrome air cleaner, solid lifters, and dual point distributor. Mine had V8 Commando emblems on the front fenders but no S badging. Fun car. This one looks pretty nice.
PS: back seat folded down to make big storage area an among other possibilities. :)
And the bulkhead between the trunk and rear seat area also folded down. To make that area absolutely cavernous.
Don’t forget, left side lugnuts have left hand threads!
I’ve had 3 Baracudas. (1 ’64 and 2 ’65s) The one ’65 I bought with a broken rear glass. I was able to get a used one out of the junk yard. (Laying on your back pushing like crazy to remove it and not break it is very stressful.) But reinstalling one is a piece of cake. Just use the lubricated rope trick just like any other “gasketed” windshield.
And yes Michelle, absolutely upgrade the brakes. This car has pitiful brakes. Trying to stop from 120 mph was a joke! Managed to slow down to 90 mph before actually giving up. Butt off the seat, both feet on the brake pedal, hands at the bottom of the steering wheel and smoke pouring out of all four wheel wells from the brake linings burning. At just about 20 mph. The hydraulics gave up. Cruised through the stop sign I. 1st gear and parking brake all the way out at about 5 mph.
Find an Aspen/Volare and swap out the spindles, rotors, calipers and master cylinder. While at it, snag the rear diff. Then you have the option of “a real bolt pattern (5×4.5”) for a good wheel selection.
Surprised you had yours at 120 mph, mine was so light in the front at 110 I never took any faster.
The Mustang just might have gone nowhere if that guy from Texas wouldn’t have got involved…..
I had a gold 65 S 4 speed with a black interior. I agree with Wayne about the brakes. Great car. The single exhaust with the rectangular chrome tip looked cool. I was tempted to change it to duals, but resisted. It was different. I think it made a statement.
Back in the 80’s these were dirt cheap! I owned at least 3 formula S 4 speed cars and a half a dozen others. I basically drove them into the ground.