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Petty Blue Project: 1972 Plymouth Barracuda 340

Here’s a good project for a Mopar fan! This Barracuda appears to be a worthwhile endeavor because it isn’t rusty and there’s a 340 under the hood. The blue and color combo also make it stand out from the crowd. If you think this is a restoration you’d want to take on, you can find it here on eBay. Let’s just hope that reserve is set at a realistic amount.

Everyone would like to have a 440 or a Hemi in their Mopar but the 340 is the next best option. Heck, some people may even prefer it. The 340 can be built to make serious power and the lower weight can help in the handling department. The seller mentions that a previous owner claimed that the cam has a flat spot. The sale includes a cam kit, gasket set, and timing chain but you’re going to need a carb.

The odometer is showing a little under 90k miles. Not that mileage really matters when a car needs to be restored but it could mean a little less wear here and there.

This car lived in Arizona so the interior got baked. Look at those floors though! The hot dry climate may have ruined the soft goods but it must have kept the tin worm at bay and that’s the biggest concern when dealing with these cars.

If this were in my garage, I’d focus on the mechanicals first. Once it was running, stopping, and turning, I’d order an interior kit and get that installed. Then I’d treat the worst of the rust and attempt to keep as much as the original paint as possible. What route would you take with this one?

Comments

  1. Avatar photo Miguelito Loveless

    What is meant by cam has a flat spot…a worn lobe?

    Like 4
    • Avatar photo Chris M.

      Yes exactly that.

      Like 7
    • Avatar photo Dave

      Quite common in that era. A high school buddy bought a 65 Impala with such an engine for $50. Another $50 bought another car with a better engine. Those were the days.

      Like 6
  2. Avatar photo Steve

    He’s selling the Grand Prix in the last picture also.
    He’s asking 45k. I’d rather have that!

    Like 2
  3. Avatar photo George Louis

    Wheel center trims around lug nuts is not correct for the year 1972. 1972 was the first year for the redesign of the trim center. The car probably sold new in 1972 for $3800.00

    Like 1
    • Avatar photo pete

      probably early in that model year.

      Like 0
      • Avatar photo bone

        The redesign also was a large bolt pattern , the early caps had the small bolt pattern wheels .

        Like 0
  4. Avatar photo PRA4SNW

    This is an interesting car.
    A non-Cuda with A/C, 340, and rallye(?) dash.
    Is that side stripe from the factory?
    What is up with that roof? At first I thought it might be a vinyl roof removal, maybe someone added one of those terrible half-vinyl roofs, or maybe even an old sheetmetal sunroof removal repair.

    I hope that somene buys it and returns it to whatever it was originally. NOT what the seller suggests – a modern driverain.

    Like 1
    • Avatar photo George Louis

      That was the CORRECT Factory Stripe for the 1972 Model Year. The stripe changed for the 1973 Model year in the rear quarter panel. The stripe ran on the quarter panel with a straight line running from the door opening to the end of the quarter panel and filled the entire upper portion of the panel.

      Like 1
      • Avatar photo PRA4SNW

        So, probably original paint. You can make out the outline of the stripe on the other side. Probably don’t see that very often.
        Would make a neat restoration project.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar photo Jay E.

    $17,600 Gone. A bargain for a lucky buyer

    Like 4
  6. Avatar photo bone

    Basin St. Blue , there never was a color called Petty blue

    Like 1

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