Many people don’t realize it, but the Plymouth Barracuda is the world’s first pony car. While Ford’s Mustang garnered all the attention when the company pulled back the covers, the Barracuda appeared in showrooms two weeks before the ‘Stang. The company released its Second Generation in 1967, featuring upgraded styling to help it stand apart from its Valiant cousin. Our feature car is the sporting Formula S version from that model year and has recently emerged after more than twenty years in storage. It needs a new owner capable of returning it to its former glory. The Barracuda is listed here on eBay in Ramsey, New Jersey. Bidding sits at $4,050, although it remains short of the reserve.

The seller is this Plymouth’s second owner, having recently acquired it from the original. That person parked it in a barn more than two decades ago following a minor fender bender. The car was side-swiped on the passenger side, inflicting significant damage to the rear quarter panel. The remaining panels wear accumulated bumps and bruises, while the Code X Beige paint has deteriorated beyond salvation. It is no surprise that the buyer faces rust repairs, although the original owner’s decision to undercoat the car has helped its cause. A small repairable area requires patching in the passenger side front floor, along with a few spots in the trunk, and a small area under the hood. The rear quarter panels have issues, as does the lower edge of the trunk lid. Those problems and the accumulated surface corrosion may motivate the next owner to strip the panels to bare metal to achieve a high-quality result. They will need to invest cash in replacing damaged trim pieces, but the glass appears okay.

Buyers in 1967 could order their shiny new Barracuda with a 225ci slant-six engine that provided 145hp and respectable performance. If they desired a more sporting solution to their transport needs, the Formula S brought a 273ci V8 to the table, pumping out 235hp. That’s the path the original owner chose, adding a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This classic would have covered the ¼ mile in 16.2 seconds in its prime. That figure was marginally better than the Mustang achieved with a C-Code 289 under the hood, indicating that the Formula S represented genuine competition to the iconic pony car. The seller indicates the Barracuda hasn’t fired a shot in anger for more than two decades, although some careful oiling and using starter fluid saw the engine roar briefly into life. The car was in sound mechanical health when it entered the barn, so returning it to a roadworthy state may not be difficult.

The shopping list for interior replacement components may not be long for this Formula S, but replacing the parts will make an enormous difference to its presentation. The front seat upholstery is shredded, while the carpet is tired. The remaining upholstered surfaces are in above-average condition, as are the dash and pad. The “chrome” plastic highlights around the gauge cluster and heater controls have developed the typical yellow appearance. However, there are excellent products on the market that may allow the buyer to tackle the restoration themselves. There are no visible aftermarket additions, with the factory AM radio occupying its rightful spot in the dash.

Plymouth must have felt it was fighting an uphill battle in 1967 with the Barracuda. While total sales of 62,534 cars would have been considered a success in any other year for what was essentially a niche vehicle, it paled against the Mustang’s total of 472,121. Formula S sales represented 7,193, of which 5,352 featured the 273ci V8 under the hood. Values for the Barracuda Formula S have not grown significantly recently, and it is unclear whether that trend will change. However, values also aren’t dropping, which is a factor worth remembering if someone is considering the investment potential of this car. Restored to a high standard, it should easily command a value of $30,000. If the new owner achieves perfection, that figure could reach $40,000. Its financial viability will depend on where the bidding reaches before the hammer falls. If the final figure is modest, that could leave plenty of wriggle room on the restoration before it becomes questionable. If a classic Mopar is on your radar, it could be worth watching this auction.