We’re seeing a lot of the more base model E-Bodies exchanging hands these days with the new owner intending to use them for higher model cloning or resto-mods, which is what the seller of this Barracuda had originally intended, yet this isn’t exactly a base model car. It’s actually a Gran Coupe, which was the more luxurious offering for the ’70 Barracuda line-up and sort of fell in between the base Barracuda and the sportier ‘Cuda. Add the fact that it’s a convertible and even with a 318 this is a pretty desirable car in its own right, and if you’ve been looking for a solid E-Body and like the topless models this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe may be worth a look. The car is located in Platteville, Wisconsin, and can be found here on eBay at a current bid of $47,100 with the reserve not yet reached.
A couple of interesting things right off the bat here, beginning with the In Violet paint and the 340 stripes. While the fender tag does denote that this car is indeed a Gran Coupe Convertible model (BP27), it’s also showing the paint code as EV2, so if I’ve got my ducks in a row I believe it left the factory as Tor Red. The seller doesn’t say much about the earlier days of his Barracuda but is guessing that the paint is about 15 years old, and perhaps that’s when the color was changed. He also says that a previous owner added the 340 stripes, a bit out of place regardless of color since that engine was not one of the available powerplants for the 1970 Gran Coupe. The only other details mentioned about the body are that it has had quarter panel replacements welded in and that there’s a small paint bubble near the convertible trim.
The current owner’s original intention was to turn this car into a Hemi clone, but that seems to have fallen by the wayside as he has moved on to a different project. We can see another E-Body in his garage which may be the car he has turned his attention to, but for whatever reason, the decision was made to let this one go before the transformation began so it’s still got a 318 under the hood. The seller was told that the engine has been rebuilt, and while we don’t know for sure whether or not it’s numbers-matching the motor is said to run well. The automatic transmission is also stated to have had an overhaul.
A few flaws are pointed out inside, such as some cracks in the dashboard and aftermarket speakers added to the kick panels, but the seller says that overall the interior is in nice condition. The convertible top is also said to be in good shape, plus it’s power-assisted. There are some other goodies in there too, including leather buckets (PRX9) and a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat (C62).
Nothing is specifically mentioned about the underside, but we do get some photos from down below, and from what we can see it’s looking good and solid. It also appears that the car was undercoated, hopefully when it was new, so that’s probably helped preserve parts on the south side. What are your thoughts on this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Gran Coupe? Do you think it’s a good Hemi clone candidate, or better left with the 318 and just enjoy driving it?
I think it best to leave it alone and enjoy it. There’s enough clones out there.
Its kind of a clone as it sits
Whats in the garage ? 🤔
The tail lights & rear end, suggest another Barracuda.
Guy has a small fortune in his garage.
Every conversation will start out “‘Wow, its got a 340 in it”, “Naah, just the stripe, its a 318”.
Needs white interior for it to pop
I have a 1970 Dodge Challenger 318 plum crazy purple restored in 2017 white interior black top motor was bored to a 340 automatic I have it listed for 55k the car you’re showing is worth 25k
Where is your car listed? I might be interested.
I agree Al, white top and interior and I am interested.
The taillamp panel isn’t correct, either, which is obviously collateral damage from the color change. Gran Coupe taillamp panels were painted in Light Argent, a textured silver finish. The matte black finish on this one, like the hockey stripes, was a ‘Cuda “thing”, and would have had different chrome trim surrounding it.
LIke many others I think that it would have benefitted from having the PRXW white interior instead of black with either the original or existing exterior color (both for aesthetics and because I never was a fan of having ass-scorching black leather or vinyl seating surfaces in a convertible). That said, I think that were this my car and if cost was no object, even though I like In Violet, I’d be tempted to undo the color change and return it to Tor Red, re-dye the faded black carpets, and enjoy it just the way it is.
Not really into purple cars much.
Maybe Barney the dinosaur would be interested.
This was my bosses old car- he bought a 1970 Barracuda hardtop with 340 4spd brand new in 1970 and sold it in 1982- In 1991 he bought this one out of auto trader magazine and it was the feature car of the month- Was all original but needing attention- it had aluminum slots with big tires on rear and air shocks- he bought it to do as a father/ son project and wanted to kind of replicate his original one- I believe it was done in like 2003 for his daughters wedding- it originally had a flat hood and no dual exhaust rear panel but he added it on- it is the original motor and trans and both have been rebuilt and had prob less then 3k miles when it was sold to guy selling now- he badged it a 340 because that’s what his original one was!