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Some Assembly Required: 1965 Plymouth Barracuda

The owner of this 1965 Plymouth Barracuda dismantled what was his daily driver with a view to restoring it. Now financial issues have gotten in the way, and he is being forced to part with the car. The Plymouth has spent its entire life in California and appears to be a solid piece of gear. Located in San Francisco, California, you will find the Barracuda listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the bidding to open at $2,700, but there has been no action to this point.

A lot of people tend to shudder when they see a car that has been dismantled to this stage, but this particular car actually might not be that bad. The owner says that he has meticulously bagged and labeled every part removed from the vehicle and that the bags are all sealed. Hopefully, this means that when the point comes where the car is ready for reassembly, everything should be there. Of course, there are no guarantees, but this at least shows some promise. Speaking of showing some promise, the body of the Barracuda certainly does this. The car has spent its entire life in California, and apart from a few spots of surface corrosion, it looks really good. The floors look nice and solid, and there is no external rust visible in the usual spots such as lower quarter panels or the rockers.

One disappointment is the fact that the transmission tunnel has been cut. The owner did this with a view to fitting a different transmission. The next owner could complete the job, but it isn’t beyond being returned to its original state either. The owner doesn’t supply any photos or provide any details about the state of the interior trim, but the combination of silver paint and black interior trim must have made for a handsome looking car. We also get no information about the state of the engine and transmission, but given the fact that the owner was using the Barracuda as his daily driver right up until the day that he dismantled it, you would have to hope that it is in pretty good condition. The car was running a 225ci slant-6 engine, which isn’t a bad little performer in its own right. It looks like the transmission is the virtually bullet-proof TorqueFlite. That is not the most potent of combinations, but if the next owner is intent on performing a refurbishment rather than a restoration, then there are plenty of possibilities open to them when it comes to engine and transmission choice.

When it comes to taking on a project car, there is nothing quite like starting from a solid base. That is what this Barracuda would seem to offer the next owner, and apart from the modifications that have been made to the transmission tunnel, it looks to be essentially unmolested and rust-free. Sure, there is going to be a lot of reassembly work required, but it would appear that the chances of finding that parts are missing would be minimized due to the meticulous approach that the owner has taken. I think that this is a project that shows a lot of promise.

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve R

    Unfortunately this is a car with little to no value. In the last three months there is only one 1965 barracuda listed on eBay that has sold for more than $10,000. This car is overpriced for the market based on its current state of disassembly.

    Steve R

    Like 6
  2. Avatar OhU8one2

    I agree with the fact that this model just isnt known for pulling in big money. The car does have its strong points though. I would either finish the resto and look elsewhere for financial help. Once you let your classic car be sold, its hell finding something else down the road.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar grant

    I just don’t see this being worth someone putting back together. It would have to be someone who had one of these and wants to reminisce. Money issues happen, but if he started this project it probably isn’t a chronic problem. As OhU8one2 said, best if the owner can back burner it until his situation improves.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar DayDreamBeliever

    Nope,
    Not a slant six in the background of the first photo.
    Looks like something with two more cylinders, and a V-configuration.

    The plan was to do quite a bit more than restore this one, I’d guess. From the look of it, there is virtually no rust to deal with, a pleasant thought for someone used to cars from Michigan. So, if the seller really wants a buyer, he should put forth the vision he had for the mods, along with those parts which were to make it “more” than what it was originally.

    Personally, I’ve always thought this generation of the Barracuda to be attractive, preferring the notchback/coupe to the big glass fastback. But this is OK.

    If the seller really bagged/tagged the hardware during disassembly, it’d be fun to put it all back together, With some cool upgrades. Where is the BF readers’ sense of adventure? Must it ALWAYS be about the Money?

    :-)

    Darn it, no smiley faces work now…..

    Like 6
    • Avatar Steve R

      I saw that engine in the background too. It could be a late model Hemi, the transmission tunnel surgery isn’t uncommon when converting to late model overdrives. He’d do better to offer this car with the late model drivetrain, but then again, it’s not outside of the realm of possibility that he purchased the car as an unfinished project just for the drivetrain. I’ve done that, bought an unfinished project, stripped out the engine and transmission, swapped out the rear end, then sold the body as a roller. It can be an economical way to get expensive components.

      Steve R

      Like 2
    • Avatar KKW

      A notchback/coupe? You must be referring to the Valiant, which is what the original Barracuda was, a fastback Valiant.

      Like 0
      • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

        Nope. This.

        Like 5
      • Avatar Steve R

        Different year, 1967 was the first year of the notchback Barracuda.

        Steve R

        Like 1
    • Avatar TimS

      “It’s all about how big a number there is up in the corner on the TV auction show. And unless this was a ’70, ’71, or a re-bodied ’72 – ’74, it ain’t getting on there. It doesn’t even have a big block that you can repurpose for that sweet, sweet Fast & Furious tribute Charger. So this ain’t worth messin’ with for no *real* car guy.”

      End “real car guy” explanation.

      You’re right. If somebody’s building something to drive and enjoy, this could be fun. Plus uncommon, which is something I like in an old car.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Steve R

        A cars value is based on demand. Auctions are just a reflection of that. You are perpetuating a myth, not all cars at auctions are overpriced. I’ll sometimes stream Mecum auctions as background noise, there are more than a few good deals out there. By the way, real car guys, should watch their pennies too. There is no need to overpay.

        Steve R

        Like 2
  5. Avatar Kuzspike

    Odd that there is no mention of that big piece of glass missing from the back window area as being one of the bagged parts.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Mark_K Member

      Agreed. The back windows on these can run up to $1,500 … IF you can find one.

      Like 2
      • Avatar bone

        Everyone says the back glass on these cars go for big money, but if you look around any old junkyard there’s always some stripped out Barracuda, and the only part left on the car is usually that glass. Even here in New England there a plenty of rusted out ones that have been sitting for years in junkyards. I’ll bet if you shopped around you could get one at a fair price .

        Like 1
      • Avatar stillrunners

        Have two you could buy for $300ea plus shipping and you could make a BIG profit. Have sold them for $100….like been said – not really a big demand.

        If it was an optioned car maybe – BUT – once someone starts messing with original stuff you can’t expect to make some money on yer project.

        If he’s had it awhile it was most likely bought for under a $1000….I hate paying for others mistakes .

        Like 1
  6. Avatar Paul carr

    I could definitely put back together as I’ve put 2 back together already and really like these cars , but too much and too far away from me to deal with , good luck to whoever gets it

    Like 5
  7. Avatar Calipag

    Definitely not a desirable car/build, but then again desirable is subjective. The problem with the sellers starting price is for another $1000-$2000 you can find one in similar condition, running and driving; if patient. If the back glass is not there…………well good luck finding one! Or should I say good luck finding one that you don’t pay and arm and a leg for.

    Once you are in this deep on a build you have to know that selling it in pieces is a worst case sell, especially for a car you can get easily and cheap.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Paul

    It’s just a ugly car….looks like something that AMC would dream up!….there are many other mopar body styles that are nice looking, why bother with this homely looking thing. Send it to the crusher so it can be reincarnated to something that is a little better looking.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar AGS

    I think this would make a really cool “Sox & Martin” A/FX tribute restomod. How about a Hellcat motor, updated suspension and Wilwood brakes?

    Like 0
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      How about a “Hemi Under Glass” redux?

      Like 2
    • Avatar Will Irby

      I have had my ’65 Barracuda since 1977, when I bought it for $375, drove it home, and yanked the 273, 904 Torqueflite, and 7.25″ rear end. I dropped in a 340 that I had previously built for another car, along with a 727 Torqueflite and 8.75″ rear end. I ran that combination until 2015. It is now being reborn again, and is currently nearing completion. I had ordered a Hellcat engine in 2015, but after numerous delays and no promise of a definite delivery date, I got a refund and went with an aluminum 433 3rd gen hemi with Hilborn stack injection and dry sump oil system. The car now has a Tremec 6-speed with sequential shift conversion, a full frame with independent rear suspension and Detroit Speed front suspension, Viking active suspension control,and a few other goodies. The early A-bodies aren’t for everyone, but I guess I have had mine too long to switch.

      Like 2
      • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

        Yikes!

        Will, it sounds as though you’ve long dreamed of building the ‘Cuda into a screamer. Good on ya, and send through some photos whenever you can. I’m betting it will be a really great car to have on the road again!

        Like 0
  10. Avatar Del

    The write up is too long for what is scrap and parts

    Like 0
    • Avatar DayDreamBeliever

      Then, exercise your option to click onward to another page.

      Like 1

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