Far from the first drag car teasing potential buyers with the idea of being returned to stock, this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda in Payson, Illinois poses a more compelling argument than most. Despite its history as a drag racer since the 1970s, its roll cage has not altered the dashboard or firewall, and the somewhat rare Plymouth retains its VIN and fender tag. The base Barracuda (not the sportier ‘Cuda model) left the factory with a four-barrel 383 V8 under its flat hood, one of 464 so-ordered according to the seller. The running, driving, evil-sounding Barracuda comes to market here on eBay in a No Reserve auction. With about two days left, at least 17 bidders have elevated the well-kept E-body’s market value beyond $25,000.
No description of the built 452 cid (7.4L) V8 could outshine this January 2022 YouTube video of the car attacking an innocent rural byway. Go ahead and click the link; I’ll wait. The oversized mill and 727 automatic spin a non-original Dana 60 rear end, laying down high 10s and low 11s in the quarter mile, according to the seller. That, as the late Keith Jackson used to say, will “wreck your parlor.”
Racing instruments have not destroyed the factory dash cluster, according to the seller, and while continuing to drag-race the car or even converting it into a power tour monster would be easier than restoring it to factory perfection, anything is possible.
Tubs invade the rear seat area, making room for giant asphalt-sucking slicks. Perhaps a car that spent most of its life covering ground 1320 feet at a time in extreme glory should continue that routine. If not racing, however, it’s no more than a garage-dwelling artifact. Then maybe it should be restored so it’s actually driven. After decades of every low-budget Barracuda owner slapping ‘Cuda badges on their rides, a factory Barracuda packing an original-spec 383 will draw a crowd. Maybe there is a Goldilocks build, striking the perfect compromise of a stock-looking sleeper with a wicked motor under the flat hood. What would you change on this interesting E-body?
To me not worth the effort, to much involved to return to stock .I would just make it more street able and drive it that’s it….
Yup. Wouldn’t this actually make an incredible “driver”?
About 5 years ago I was at a local car show and came across a 70 barracuda. I looked at the vin thru the windshield and it read BH23N and was a little surprised, I looked inside and it had the rally gauges and a floor shifter. The paint was a faded black and it had a flat hood, a guy walked up and asked me if it was a cuda and I said almost but not quite there. The guy was the owner and he popped the hood to show me the fender tag, FC7 car to top of off, makes sense now why i never saw another one remotely like it
That’s plum crazy!😬
Takes me back to the Fred Hurst days….one of the finest looking Cuda drag cars of all time. Standing on the sidewalk watching and listening to that Hemi getting fired up in the garage….oh well, I digress.
I’d say at the current $28k, this car is a steal. Especially when compared to the rust buckets we see pop up for the same money.
todd, as much as i hate to say it if this car gets restored ever if a big block get put in it and its a perfect or near perfect restoration, chances are it wont see the street much it’ll sit in some rich guy garage and collect dust maybe get driven in and out of a trailer and then the parking spot at the show.
Hey piston poney. True. Maybe wishful thinking on my part. I like to think of them as vehicles first and life-sized Matchbox cars second. Thanks for chiming in!
Can’t go wrong with a Keith Jackson quote! Love it, Todd.
Thanks Rosko. Keith Jackson could make washing your socks sound exciting. I remember staying up late for west coast games I didn’t really care about just because he was on the air. Cheers!
The TINY airfilter, kinda screams 2 barrel, no fun to me ?? !! Wasup w/ this ride ??
That TINY air filter kinds screams 2 barrel, no fun to me ?? Of course that tunnel ram is sweet…Wasup w/ this ride ?? :):)