Born from Plymouth’s economy-minded Valiant, the first-generation Barracuda offered fastback styling and available V8 performance in a lightweight package. By model year 1969, buyers could upgrade this stylish “compact” with a 383 cubic inch V8 for some serious performance. This particular 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Sports Fastback, located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, packs a non-original 440 cid monster mill, and apparently drag-raced in the ’70s and ’80s. Listed here on eBay, the highest acceptable offer or one click on Buy It Now and $15,000 will make it yours. My late father-in-law grew up in Meadville, and owned a few muscle cars himself, so I have to wonder if Ralph ever came fender to fender with this Plymouth.
The full-width trim panel and chrome bumper add some bling to the tail-end of this powerful fish. The mismatched wheels and tires, chrome exhaust tips, and black stripes offer warning to would-be competitors. Unlike many jacked-up cars of the day, this one no-doubt had the horsepower to silence anyone who accused it of being “all show and no go.”
It’s all business inside with aftermarket gauges including a monster tachometer, racing shifter, roll cage, and a generous helping of black vinyl. The seller points out a few areas that will need attention including interior pieces, rocker panels, trunk floor, and at least one fender.
The engine is believed to be a 440 cid V8 of unknown origin and specifications. It last ran “about a year ago” and currently turns over but is not operational. The MSD ignition box likely dates to the ’80s. The removal of the windshield wiper and blower motors and heater hoses adds a few items to the checklist for anyone who intends to drive this beast on a regular basis. Personally I’d fix it up and run it just as you see it here, either as a period-correct drag-racer or updated as a weekend street/strip cruiser. How would you treat this last-of-the-first-gen Barracudas?
This would make a cool street/ strip terror, but it needs some TLC and leaves me scratching my head… I wonder what the compression ratio is if it is a true “strip” engine (it would be 11:1 or higher, not pump gas friendly.) Obviously the rust needs to be addressed. I wonder if a tech inspector would let the single throttle return spring slide… 99% sure they would not. Any aftermarket safety belts? What’s up with the tow bar tabs up front? It’s equipped with an auto trans, so one would have to remove the driveshaft in order to flat tow it… Seems like a pretty labor intensive way to transport…I do see a battery cut of switch out back, at least. The asking price MIGHT be justified if it were a running, driving car, but IMO worth less than half the asking price in the current condition.
Love these old mopars. This year Cuda doesnt hold the value of later ones. For what they’re asking 15000 dollar’s it needs way to much work. Engine and trans rebuild and every panel..floor truck quarters and fenders will need work. Then a complete interior overhaul. Easily could end up with 50-60 thousand in it. I still hopesome one takes it on just want be me.
It’s probably more street than strip. It’s too expensive for a used up race car with unknown history, especially when you factor in that the asking price of $15,000 will buy a competitive turn key bracket car. If you want a grudge night or T&T bomber, those can be had for half the asking price.
As a street car, the roll bar and fuel cell will severely limit its appeal. The seller has too many unknowns, I’d want to talk to the “friend” they are selling it for to get specifics.
I hope some wide eyed dreamer doesn’t make a mistake and buy this car at anything approaching the asking price. Unfortunately, that’s the sort of person that will be drawn to this car.
Steve R
Cool car. In 1969 you could actually get a factory 440 in the Cuda and Dart GTS (M code) and this one appears to have been a factory 340 car judging by the vin. Not a bad deal if the body checks out to be solid but the asking price is too steep. Would be a fun street car.
Sad. I would much rather have one of these with a 340 than the giant lump of cast iron currently inhabiting the engine compartment.
With a big block in this first gen barracuda, I’d treat this with respect!
I would keep the mechanicals but return the car to it’s original look, especially the interior, I’d get rid of everything aftermarket. Amazing that it has the factory thumbwheel radio still in the dash along with what looks like the original tach
This cars street days are over with modifications made to it.non running? Cage,cell,bracket car?let’s try e-bay no reserve and see what it’s really worth.
Don’t you hate it when race mods wreck a nice car ??
Honestly, I love old race cars if they really were raced. They were someone’s pride and joy, taken from the humdrum of grocery getting and marked for something greater – competition. I admire that. (I’ve also been known to run out for groceries in either of my race cars on a nice day in the off season ).
This car was made to do one thing well, a quarter mile at a time!! Now it’s time for a second life to become what ever its new owner makes of it. Me, I’d identify and inspect the engine and transmission. It’s never gonna be a numbers matching agin, so build what you want. Maybe a modern drive package with FI And modern Brakes!! I had a ’67 Barracuda with drum brakes and it needed More front stoping power, so I put 4 piston brakes from an early Duster. Then it Would stop!! Get a donor SRT8 car for the drive package and suspension and brakes . Old school cool with updates!! Good luck to the new owner and seller!
They make faster quicker cars now, but a ’69 440 Cuda or Dart would
flat out terrify most folks today. Hope the road is straight, with plenty of time to slow her down. It’s not always the numbers that tell the story but how one arrived there, and how much pee is on the floor board, that tell the whole truth. Too bad this isn’t one of the factory rides.
Id get it runnin and up to date on safety then beat the snot out of it and drive it like it was built for ! Its not a numbers matching car so who cares ! Id drive it to work daily and have fun . its just a car !
The fish that got away,I bought my first car in State College,Pa. A 1969 (M code)Barracuda fastback,now powered by a 383.The car needed body and paint work but was running and I payed $800 bucks and drove it home.They had no room for power steering under the hood so it was a scary fast car! It was built for straight line all out,tire shredding! What good memories and fun times!Yeehaw!