The Plymouth Barracuda arrived on the scene in April 1964, 17 days before the Ford Mustang debuted at the New York World’s Fair. But the Ford got all the glory, selling 121,000 units in the Spring and Summer of 1964, compared to 23,000 of the Plymouths. A single body style was offered at first, a fastback based on the Valiant compact. The seller has a one-off prototype of a targa-style “Landau” experiment that never came to fruition. Located in Marine City, Michigan, this well-heeled wonder is available here on Bring A Trailer, where the current bid is $20,000 (without the safety net of a reserve).
When this 1964 Barracuda left the assembly line, it was well-equipped with a 273 cubic inch V8, an automatic transmission, and power steering and brakes. It was finished in Gold paint with a matching interior, and a prior seller applied a new finish some time ago, but the interior seems to be original. Whether the Plymouth design team chose this specific car to modify or if it was the luck of the draw, the engineers went to work removing the main section of the steel roof.
The car came with a removable canvas cover to replace the missing steel piece, though the seller says this cover is damaged and doesn’t fit properly now. The seller is a dealer who recently acquired the car, adding just 15 miles to the 52,000 already on the vehicle. For a one-off that’s 62 years old, this automobile presents well, though it’s not a perfect specimen. Most prototypes got scrapped, so it’s cool to see this one managed to survive.
Early Barracudas had an expansive rear window that may have inspired the 1965 AMC Rambler Marlin and – to a lesser degree – the 1966 Charger from Dodge. Almost everything works as it should except for the gas and coolant gauges. This is a way-cool-looking machine that begs the question: would it have been a best-seller had Plymouth decided to put the Landau into production in 1965? BTW, a special thanks go to “Curvette” for this wild tip!
Great feature, and due to the lack of trucks, have to do something at 3 am. There’s a lot more to this story, if I may. This car was part of the Willis Johnson collection, who was the founder of COPART and had 3-400 classic cars. Tenn. title confirms that. Images of the car show the top, and just a canvas covering that I’m sure leaked like a sieve. I read it had 14″ wheels too, so that was changed when the engine was repainted. It was sold at Mecum for $23,100, and looks like someone going to take a bath on it.
This would have sold like hotcakes imo. However with the top removed, it would probably be much slower or possibly blow the back window out of it.
Great article Mr. Russ Dixon!! Great find Curvette!! This is why I check out barnfinds every day!! Never knew this car existed!! Great comments from Mr. Howard A. with the history of this car!! Yesterday the Monza Mirage, and today a one of one prototype!! Us loyal readers love these rare cars!! Talk about attracting attention at a car show!!
Amen to all of that, Mike! BF is a keeper for all the right reasons! 😜