The Barracuda meandered from a slant-six Valiant-based economy car with a family image to a Hemi-powered muscle car, confusing customers along the way. The car didn’t get its own sheet metal until 1967. Performance didn’t become a priority until 1969, but the car was still an also-ran. Then in 1970, the mighty Hemi took the Barracuda to its zenith. That lasted only two years. Emission controls began choking power output, sending the car to the backside of the performance game again. With sales constantly struggling against the Mustang and the Camaro, Plymouth killed the nameplate in 1974. All that said, later Barracudas have skyrocketed in price as restorers pick and choose the best components Mopar ever offered to create the car we wish the factory had given us in the first place. Here on eBay is a third-generation 1973 Plymouth Barracuda ready for a makeover, with an asking price of $15,500 or best offer. This car is located in Lehi, Utah, and you’ll need a trailer to haul it away.
At the moment, the engine bay has that empty feeling. This car’s original powerplant was the base 318 cu. in. V8 but the seller will include a running 360 cu. in., which was offered in late 1973 and 1974 from the factory. The original transmission was a four-speed manual; the seller is offering up his small block 727 Torqueflite automatic with the sale. The rear end is an 8 3/4 with a 489 case. The driveshaft, radiator, and exhaust are with the car.
The seats might be serviceable if you’re not picky, but much of the rest of the interior needs attention. The seller notes that the windshield and backlight are perfect, and all the trim and mirrors are with the car. Here’s your source for dash restoration. Rubber bumper guards, designed to comply with the 5 mph crash regulations, were introduced in 1973.
While the car’s underside appears straight and fairly clean, the seller warns that rust is present in the lower quarters and the trunk. So there’s a fair amount of work ahead of the buyer before this Barracuda can make it to Cars ‘N Coffee. As it sits now, this car can be taken in any direction. Would you stick with the performance path this seller has laid out, or go a different route?
Lot of rust and a lot of work ahead on this one. Wouldn’t give anywhere near the asking price price for it, especially with the tossed in engine and transmission. No telling what condition they are in. Michelle, you must spend a bunch of time digging out all the details of car history you provide with your write ups. Appreciate that.
Thanks bobhess, my pleasure!
’73/74’s are the least desirable of this generation, and this being a base car would need everything replaced or beefed up to accept a more powerful drive train. You are never going to waste money restoring this. Resto is the only path. But on that path you would be much wiser to pay $10K more than this ask to get one in very decent body condition. I struggle with seeing the potential path for this one. But, as has been repeatedly well said on BF, there is an a– for every seat. So the market will be the final judge.
The no profanity rule keeps me from saying how I really feel about the prices of these rusty classics.