While 1970 Plymouth Barracuda production amounted to 48,867 vehicles, only 125 were the Convertible variant featuring the 318ci V8 coupled to a three-speed manual transmission. Our feature Barracuda is one of those cars and is a solid driver that requires little to lift its presentation to a higher level. If a rarer drop-top is on your classic radar, this Barracuda is listed here on eBay in Asheville, North Carolina. Intense bidding has pushed the price to $50,000, although that figure remains short of the reserve.
I’ve previously talked about how much I like the styling of the Third Generation Barracuda. John E. Herlitz scored a win with his pencil at the drawing board because he created a car that, to me, defines how a muscle car should look. Its low and wide stance looks like it has spent time on the weights at the local gym, and those wheel wells are begging for some seriously wide wheels and tires. The seller admits the car underwent a repaint in its original shade of V2 Tor Red, believing this occurred in the 1980s. It still shines well for its age and is acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle. However, a repeat performance would undoubtedly lift the appearance to a higher level. The panels have accumulated a few minor bruises, but none would justify panel replacement. The Convertible has a known history and has been garage-kept its entire life. That explains its rust-free status, although the seller applied POR15 to the floors and frame as long-term protection. The soft-top works as it should, and has no holes or tears. The glass and chrome are fine for a driver, but the Rallye wheels and Cooper Cobra tires are a recent addition. If they don’t appeal to the new owner, the seller includes the original steelies and hubcaps so the buyer can recapture a factory appearance.
Lifting this Plymouth’s hood reveals what helps make it a motoring rarity. The company produced 1,046 examples of the Convertible sporting a 318ci V8, but only 125 of those featured a three-speed manual transmission. It is worth noting that the four-speed variant was rarer, but out of a production of 48,867 cars, that figure represents a take-up rate of 0.25%! The 318 should produce 230hp, allowing the vehicle to cover the ¼-mile in 16.1 seconds. An interesting sidebar on that figure is that the three-speed is marginally faster over that distance than the four-speed version, although they are level-pegging regarding their top speed. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the vehicle is numbers-matching, but the general emphasis on originality suggests it is. For buyers seeking instant enjoyment, it runs and drives well. That allows them to enjoy the classic motoring experience while planning how to tackle any restoration work. The seller provides one final thought, and it may be enough to motivate someone to preserve this Plymouth. They state that they will transform it into a ‘Cuda 340 tribute if it fails to reach the reserve. Personally, I feel there are plenty of those on our roads, and there would be more long-term value in this car if someone returns it to showroom condition.
The surprise packet with this Convertible is its interior. Admittedly it is not perfect, but it possesses enough positive attributes suggesting it won’t take a lot of time or money to return it to that state. The shopping list will comprise new seatcovers and a carpet set, and that appears to be it. The door trims and kick panels look great, while the dash is flawless. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, which is rare for a vehicle of this age and type. Wires are hanging under the dash, but five-minutes work with some cable ties should get them out of sight. The original owner didn’t spend a fortune on optional extras, although it does feature a pushbutton AM radio.
This 1970 Barracuda Convertible is a project where the required work is unlikely to break the bank. The sticking point for some will be the possible purchase price because it isn’t what I would classify as cheap. However, that hasn’t stopped nine people from dropping thirty-one bids. They obviously like what they see and are willing to commit a fair slice of cash to park it in their workshop. The relative rarity of this car means they don’t come onto the market often, but past sales results suggest it isn’t far from hitting the reserve. With what you’ve seen and know about this Plymouth, are you tempted to submit a bid hoping you can drive it home?
I bought a topless sunfire gt for $1200 five years ago , it has the same performance as this thing and better handling also
Come to think of it , its better in every way !
Even has a/c
I sold my cars and invested in real estate a few years ago
My simple life prevents me from buying expensive cars unless i want to go back to work to pay them
And the nicer the car the less use you get out of it cause you can’t risk parking it everywhere
Good luck to buyer and seller
Are you talking about a Pontiac Sunfire….and you’re comparing to a 1970 Cuda Convertible. That’s funny…..thx for the laugh !
You sound pessimistic. Many of us are looking forward to our retirement years and spending time on our “old” cars. They aren’t all money pits. I love driving my cars, the thumbs up you get, the younger folks who want to know…..
No pessimism here !
My choice to live the simple life
I have a z3,ac4 , an f150 and a suv !
My point was not to spend all that money to force me out of retirement ,
I am now 60 and haven’t worked a steady job for 3 years wich means that i didn’t have to deal with the plandemic !
And nicer cars get less usage wich translates into less fun
I chose to live off my own money but its not everyone choice or option , it has simply forced me to make different choices
YOLO
Not in the looks department , for one thing….
So tempting to drop in a 340. So much faster, but appreciate the authors idea to maintain stock.
I’d go for a stroker kit and get myself a 390 inside that 318 block … but if that engine is numbers matching I’d build that with another block and save this one for posterity.
The seller is a piece of work. Threatening to create a clone if he doesn’t get his number . Pay my price or else. Not the way to sell a car. Regardless of the rarity it’s not worth 45k . I could see 25-30k max . In the end it’s still a plain Jane ragtop. So seller go ahead and build your clone car, like there isn’t already dozens of them .
Mikeg, only worth 25-30? Then why did it sell for 55k?
I got one thing to say ,
HELLCRATE !
This don’t seem like too bad of a deal . https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-plymouth-barracuda-39/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2022-09-18
Sweet ride, also has a Firebird for sale, with reserve met.
I am a sports car guy and I value handling and this car has some of the worst I have ever been in. That tail end will jump out even with the 318 engine in it the bigger engines only make the problem worse. This is one of my all time favorite designs. Simple elegant for a pony car but it is also one of the most frustrating.
In the past when ever I had the money and tried to find one, none were there to be found. When I did not have the money they seemed to fall out of the trees around me. LOL Now they are too much of a beautiful toy to use as a driver which is what I want in a car. I really like this one however as it is the same color combination and power train as the one my uncle had back when they were new and affordable.
I have driven many and found the handling great with either a six or small block. Could you be describing the detestable Chrysler power steering? Two ways to fix that, a firm feel steering box or better yet, change it to manual steering. These were basically Valiants with a stouter front end, they handle the same. And as with a Valiant, manual steering is easy and gives perfect road feel. Beyond that, a rebuilt front end works magic, and also bigger anti sway bars from and back. Finally, radial tires. If you haven’t driven one since the 70s, bias plys were probably what was on these, radials make all the difference in the world. I love the 318 3 speed. A 4sp was optional, and would be better, but if it came with a three, that is what it would be. I miss the old H pattern.
Yank out that that anemic looking corolla shifter and drop in the always welcome pistol-grip.
A buddy of mine had a 1974 Dodge Challenger (not a convertible) with a 318 3 speed like this one. It also had manual steering and manual brakes. Still, it was no slug.
Indeed. The sticks came standard with a 3.23 rear end. Many opted for a 3.55. These made quite a difference to the (i believe) 2.94 with the auto.
Definitely needs a 340/383 Pistol grip 4 speed and console, put all the original stuff on the side and enjoy
Hopefully it remains a Barracuda and not another Hemi Cuda clone.
Just put a 340 intake on it if you want a bit more oomph. this is a cruiser, not a muscle car
30 minutes to go, looks like met reserve…at $50,600.
I honestly don’t trust any car that’s had por-15 applied across its’ undercarriage. The trunk has that treatment, as well. Good luck to the buyer. He’s in for a surprise.
I have been in this car. My friend John owned this car from 1974 until a couple of weeks ago. He always took good care of it and sold it because he rarely drove it. He kept it at his house in NC while he was living in Singapore for 15+ years. Getting to drive it was always a high point on his annual visits to the US. It was a very difficult decision for John to sell it.
I can’t help it, but it just pisses me off seeing this guy flip it. I mean, it’s his car, he paid for it, and he can do whatever he wants with it. Anyway, I hope it goes to someone who will enjoy it for another 40 years. (Rant over)
Sold, $55,100.