The owner of this 1974 Plymouth Barracuda, claims that the vehicle wears its original paint, and that has always been garage-kept. This second fact would seem to have helped the car to remain rust-free. The next owner can choose to treat the vehicle to some restoration work, or they could drive it as an original survivor. Whichever path they decide to follow, they will be the proud owner of a car that is guaranteed to grab its share of attention wherever it goes. The Barracuda is located in Opa-Locka, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN price has been set at $29,500, but there is an option available to make an offer.
The Barracuda is finished in Blue with a White vinyl top, and the condition of the paint would seem to be consistent with the claim that it is original. There is no visible evidence of any repainting work, but I do have a slight doubt about its originality. The owner includes a shot of what is said to be the original Broadcast Sheet, and if I have read it correctly, this indicates that the vehicle rolled off the line painted in Rallye Red. If I’m wrong about that, I’m willing to cop it on the chin. What I will say is that if the Plymouth has received a color change, then it has been completed thoroughly. I can’t see so much as a hint of Red anywhere, which is what makes the idea so fascinating. He does supply some photos of the vehicle’s underside, and when combined with the exterior shots, these do suggest that the Plymouth is rust-free. It looks like the stripes are beginning to craze and crack a bit, but this isn’t an uncommon problem. The car features tinted glass, but its condition is hard to determine due to the quality of the photos. The same is true of the chrome and trim, so this is a classic that might require a personal inspection.
Mechanically, it would seem to be all good news with the Barracuda. Under the hood, we find a 360ci V8, which would have produced 245hp when it was in its prime. The Plymouth also comes equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This combination blessed the vehicle with quite reasonable levels of performance, making it capable of covering the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds. The owner describes this classic as being in excellent mechanical condition, and that it runs and drives perfectly. It is also said to be appropriately maintained, while the presentation of the engine bay is not bad for an original survivor of this vintage. A bonus comes in the form of it recently being fitted with new tires and a new battery.
The “tidy survivor” theme continues inside the Plymouth, with the interior being all original. It isn’t perfect, but it is quite serviceable. The carpet is badly faded, and while there are no apparent signs of any wear-through, its condition is distracting. There is a seam separation of the driver’s seat, but the rest of the upholstery appears to have survived quite well. Apart from that single flaw in the seat, what the interior does seem to need is a good clean. There are plenty of signs of dust build-up, and I think that this simple act would make quite a difference to the presentation. Surprisingly, it appears that there have been no aftermarket additions. Upgraded stereos and extra gauges tend to be quite commonplace, so the originality of this interior does make a refreshing change.
Apart from the question that I raised about the paint color, this 1974 Plymouth Barracuda gives the impression of being a rust-free and original survivor. It could be driven and enjoyed exactly as it currently stands, but I believe that it would respond wonderfully to some light restoration work. Tidy and original survivors can quite easily sell for $40,000 or more, which would seem to make this car worth the effort and cost of treating to a refresh. Interestingly, I have found the same Barracuda listed elsewhere, and the asking price on that site has been set at $33,700. Therefore, if this really is a car that ticks the boxes for you, grabbing it from the eBay listing might be a smart move. After all, saving more than $4,000 on a classic car purchase can’t be a bad thing. That’s money that would get this Barracuda well on the way to being returned to its former glory.
Build sheet. Strong possibility is not this car. Says black vinyl top. Says red paint.
Need pic of dash serial number. Not fender plate codes.
No use trying to confirm till that info arrives. Then able to decide the rest
Cool Joe Machado. Just dropping cool fragmented comments. Seems like a style. That’s Wella, cool.
Firstly this is a ‘Cuda, not a Barracuda and was referred to as such in factory literature of the time. And yes ‘Cuda was really just an option package on a Barracuda. It matters here because you could only get the 360 4 speed combo on a ‘Cuda.
Just under 5000 ‘Cuda’s made in this final production year (distinct from the 6745 Barracudas) and they made 430 with the 360/4speed combo so it is a relatively rare car. It looks like it was always blue to me and all looks pretty kosher rather than a typical eBay “story” car.
Stick shift 360 Cudas: 430. 3-speed: 32. 4-speed: 398. Total, 430.
Build sheet says, black stripe.
White looks original. Swear build sheet is not this car
Cool facts Joe. Right from the books. Nice.
Had a chance to buy one when I was sixteen ( 1979 ), it only had a 318 but it was clean, low miles, red with white bucket seats. The salesman actually let me take it for a test drive by myself. I was so enthralled with this car but my parents said NO. The first of many car disappointments, man, 16 was a long time ago.
Ya beening a old fart now-a-days sitting on couch lookin @ Barn finds website I see/read a lot of -could of-should of-or wish I kept that 1- just sounds like my golf game now-a-days also.I could-a bought a 63 Stingray [split window] off a car lot in 73 & even got 2 test drive it. Didn’t buy cause it had a loose frt end 4$1800. Had A lot of good 1s over the years But can’t keep them all. Now that I all growed up gonna die with my 34 Roadster[Flathead/5spd]-[35 pickup & Harley] It’s nice 2 b over those Damn cars &18cents ga gas w/stamps. LOL Now-a-days it’s Beer-Dog-Barn finds
Vance, very similar story here. I was sixteen in 1978 when I REALLY wanted my first car to be a Barracuda. The first one I looked at was a freshly painted, metallic brown ’70 Cuda 340 that had engine mods – it was a beast. Dad said “No” to that one.
That may have helped land the one that I ended up getting: a ’73 318 automatic on the column. Not the hot rod I wanted, but not a bad car for my first ride.
Was that carpet originally black? It should have been replaced for a few hundred dollars b4 selling – makes a world of difference inside.
Never thought i’d see a ’74 go for this much money – not even the fastest car in ’74.
Vance, today most PARENTS can’t afford a used(let alone new) “base?” challenger v6. & if u were 16 today u would have to settle being excited by the grand they would give you for a new phone – & you most likely would not have a job – certainly not the ones i had back in the 70s – pumping gas, working in factory with 2000 degree ovens, etc. – for min wage – today, adults grab those jobs!
I usually don’t reply on the same vehicle, but I will. At 16, I worked at McDonald’s for 2.35 an hour, played Varsity football and baseball, had a 3 acre yard with a dozen trees to keep trimmed nicely, a vast garden to weed and kept my grades around a 3.0. Too busy and tired to get into trouble, and respected my parents because I was raised properly. No computers or cell phones to contend with, 3 TV stations and the radio. Those were good days to be a kid.
Good ole days my ___, couldn’t get a job ‘pickin bugs off a Bears butt’, so much nepotism around, then Uncle Sam come a knockin ‘I want U!], got out USAF 4 years got me a used 69 Z28 & then life was getting good. That’s when me & police started a new relationship. lol
Don’t get me going on police lol!
Nice car but I question if it’s real from what the build sheet says and what the pictures reveal!! It would be a nice driver nevertheless but the price should reflect what it really is!!!
Haven’t people found the wrong build sheet placed in a car? Definitely raises a big question.
This did not sell for the ask, but it might be worth it if the build sheet question can be honestly answered.
How many original ‘Cudas are left?