Are there any cars that take you back to a particular place and time? Every time I see a Plymouth Barracuda convertible, I first think of Mike Brady’s 1971 model from season 3 of The Brady Bunch instead of the more iconic 1970 model made to look like a 1971 unit from Nash Bridges. I found this less iconic, yet still uncommon, 1970 model here on Facebook Marketplace in Auburn, Massachusetts for $43,000.
Of the roughly 50,000 Barracudas built by Plymouth for the 1970 model year, just 2,000 or so were convertibles. Hagerty doesn’t offer an option for the powerplant of this particular Barracuda but says 383-equipped 4-speed convertible models should fetch about $126,500 in #3 “good” condition. There are a few outliers, but generally, six figures are required to enter the market. I’m not a restoration expert but, for the right person, there may be enough meat on this bone to take on its restoration. If I had an extra $43k burning a hole in my pocket, I’d consider this a viable candidate for making my dream of a “rusty but trusty muscle car that runs like a scalded dog” come true.
Plymouth offered a whole rainbow of colors for 1970. This one is finished in the not-uncommon EF8 Ivy Green Metallic. This would’ve been one of my top choices had I been ordering new, as I really enjoy the more muted tones on an otherwise (somewhat) wild ride. The angles of the photos make it difficult to fully assess the exterior condition. It looks like there may be some damage to the driver rear quarter; there’s damage to the front bumper, rear bumper, and trunk lid; the rockers are rusty; but the top doesn’t look terrible. I do love seeing the dog dish caps on steel wheels.
If you like the green exterior, hopefully you like the matching green interior. The seats are green vinyl, the carpet is green, and the dash is mostly green. It needs a full refresh but appears complete. Notably absent is a center console, but that directs even more attention to that pistol-grip shifter.
The seller claims this is one of 57 Barracuda convertibles equipped with the 318 cubic-inch V8 engine and 4-speed manual transmission. That number is exclusive of such equipped Gran Coupe convertibles, which added another 18 to that count. Rated at 230HP and 320 ft-lbs of torque, the 318 seems like a sensible engine choice while rowing your own gears would add some points for driving experience. This one, however, has not run in years and the engine is now locked up.
I love (love love) original paint on cars, so I wouldn’t have the heart to change that on this one. Aside from the safety and wear item repairs, I’d keep the body exactly as-is, install a new top, install a brand new full factory interior, mothball that 318 in favor of a modern MOPAR driveline, and you’d better believe those poverty caps are staying on the steel wheels. Would you make this a rusty but trusty runner as I would? Or full restoration to factory specs? Or follow Nash Bridges’ lead and make it a tribute car? Share your thoughts in the comments!
If it were me, I’d fix the rust, repaint, new top/interior, upgrade the brakes,rebuild/hop up the 318, add a set of Magnum 500’s and CRUISE!!
GLWTS!! :-)
Yes and Thank you, Moparman-Took the thoughts right out of my head!!!
American Pickers
I wonder if the pistol grip was added later. Should be round ball. Lots of rust to go around. Ok . If this was my purchase.. strip the car clean up the body… patch up the metal. Keep the original color. Drivetrain.. 340 or stroker 408-6 Pak with 3.91 gears. Dual exhaust with turn down tips. And nobody would know what’s under the hood.😄 Also Magnum 500 rims. I might go as far to add factory luggage rack. It would be a bit**** ride!! 🐻🇺🇸
All 4 speed E bodies were pistol grip. Love them or not, that is what Hurst gave you. The 318 2bbl with a four speed is a thing to behold. Standard 3.23 rear end, same thing. Don’t even think of adding any more power. The perfect combination of power, economy, and reliability. A real road car. Just the thing to take on a winding country road on a beautiful day.
Should not be a round ball, it should be a Pistol Grip, as it is.
Damn inflation!!!!
I heard Greg Brady went to check it out, but he passed on it.
Full race suspension & drive train upgrade w/New instruments & dash.
New interior + roll bar to stiffen chassis to prevent torque twist sub-frame connectors & monoco bars on engine bay.
The Paint? I’d detail it out then throw a JUNGLE JIM vinyl wrap on the car with full old school drag race graphics & window stickers etc
I would restore it to stock, I have a stock original 383 4 speed Cuda’ convertible and there’s nothing like the way mopar made them.
man thats what i want but to pricy now for the money i would have to add to it. i might as well just buy 1 from an auction over a 100 grand
I would restore this car back to original and drive it
Me too. There are few of these cars that are as built left. Everyone wants a 408 or big block. That 318 is an easy fix and would still bring good money if kept original.
Mike Brady? Who’s THAT???
don’t you kids remember JOE MANNIX? He was such a tough guy that he had dark green ‘Cuda ‘verts AFTER they stopped making them!
His were 383/torqueflites with dents, bulletholes and a car phone! This one would need the Raisin Bran hood (two scoops)
Sure, He needed driver training from Jim Rockford, but he could jump off stacked boxes with the best of em!
Cmon, kids… let’s show a little respect to REAL fictional heroes. Sitcoms suck.
These prices are getting ridiculous, its getting to be all about greed. I love older cars but can’t get one because of greed. No offense to anyone that has more money than they know what to do with but they are just driving
prices up
67 to 72 pickups aren’t cheap either, a power wagon or ford highboy starts at 35 K.
This will require an every body panel you can find. Floors, frame rails, the list goes on. Once dipped or blasted it will be swiss cheese. Take it to GYC and have them do it on TV, maybe you can get a discount, you are going to need it.
70 was the first year for pistol grip. I’ve seen them in 69 road runners added later. Had 2 70 road runners . 2nd to 3rd and 2nd to 1st watch out for the dash, cause it’ll get cha!
I hired in at Chrysler September 1970 and that’s what we were building. The old Dodge Main plant in Hamtramck,Michigan.
Bumper sticker indicates this car spent some of its life at Pease AFB in Portsmouth, NH. That explains the rusty condition because it was probably the owner’s year round daily driver.
it’s a very desirable car and could possibly bring this type of money, but probably not on FB Marketplace.