Mopar A and B body vehicles are my go-to choice of cars most of the time, and they continue to attract me more and more every time I see one I like! That being said, I have never been struck by an A-body Barracuda the way I am by this one. Maybe its just the way the wheels and tires are set up, or maybe its the Super Stock hood scoop, but I like everything about this car! However, the seller is asking $25,000 for this car, and I don’t recall seeing a restored ’68 Barracuda bring that much recently. That said, this is a solid-looking Super Stock clone. Find this one here on eBay located in Arizona.
The interior pattern and material suggests to me that this car was being enjoyed by someone in the late 1970s, as neither the dash pad nor the seats are original materials. Regardless, the interior looks mostly complete and based on the amount of parts included with the sale, anything missing is probably included. I think this is probably a close to $10,000 car in present condition, but I’m not entirely sure that it will bring much more than that. The seller states that the previous owner was Donald Lee Petty, and that his name is still on the title. Unfortunately, Lee Petty of Petty racing fame is Lee Arnold Petty, and I cannot find any confirmation that Donald Lee Petty is of any relation to Lee Petty or ‘The King.’ That being said, it is always possible they are related. This is a well-equipped equipped car, but I’m just not sure it warrants the asking price.
The seller definitely wants the buyer to get a lot for their money. He has gone out of his way to locate copious amounts of NOS and good quality used parts for this car, including duplicates of various items: “grills, dash pads, gauge clusters, 4 sets of taillights, extra grills, very hard to find fiberglass hood, pistol grip shifter, also has the k member frame, and the Dana rear.” Although the exterior of this car is pretty well stripped, I suspect most of the missing parts are included in the sale. The quarters look solid, but appear they have either been damaged or poorly repaired, and I would want to see what is under the primer to be sure.
Under the hood is a 392 Hemi hooked up to a 4-speed manual, helping to complete the Super Stock clone look. This car is probably a lot of fun with this engine, and being as small as it is I think this would be a great weekend car when fixed up. This could be a great chance to own a Barracuda from the ‘transition years’ between the A-body Barracuda and the E-body ‘Cuda! What would you do with it?
The ’68~’69 fastbacks were my pick of the early Barracudas. They were more ‘Cuda and less Valiant in my view. This one has the 60s flavor with the pressed-pleat dash treatment. My ’60 Impala had the same thing. It looked good then… not so much now.
Given everything involved, it still scares the #3LL out of me when it comes to “Someone’s Project”. It is secular, and outside of mainstream as far as a restoration is concerned. I see a BF as a ran when parked and left as is (like un-earthed) to be discovered by future enthusiast’s, for restoration…. for posterity. To be enjoyed as meant to be. Kick me in the nads as ya’ll see fit but, that’s the way I see ’em….
The bubble on muscle cars is bursting. Best to cash in now.
Without a market basis, I find your response to be lacking.
Paul, At 58 years, I and my buddy’s had all the G.T.O.’s, Camaros, Road Runners, Mustangs, Cuda’s, Challengers etc. For the money, I’ll take the comfort, gas mileage, better ride, all the other perks.
These ’68-’69 fastback Barracudas and the Chargers of the same years made me wake up and take notice of Mopars. After the weirdness and excess of the Virgil Exner designs Chrysler proved that they could create stunningly exquisite, downright elegant cars. The subtlety of the details on this car are remarkable from the way the fender peaks bypass each other to the shapes of the wheel wells. It gives a ‘lightness of being’ feeling to the otherwise pedestrian Valiant.
Someone will spend too much and make this a beauty, but so what? It’s his money and there will be another gem in the bank of restored muscle cars.
Nice find, nice write up.
And nice comment.
Over priced. Someone would be better off starting with a nice unmolested car to turn into a super stock clone.
Steve R
Very cool find. Same question from earlier with that Chevelle…..(even as a clone these cars bring big money if done correctly) ….why not finish the project, then sell it? Perhaps the owner was lucky enough to find it but does not have the funds to finance the resto which is understandable. I wish I had the funds now….this would be / will be an amazing car when done, hopefully someone does it right.
There is a good possibility the seller is parting with the car for one of the two following reasons. He doesn’t have the time or money, or he bought it in this condition and is going to extract any potential profit for himself.
Steve R
I too like these Cudas and Chargers.
But I tend to like stock examples. But hey, I’d take a ProStreet clone if someone delivered it to my driveway!
Question to the knowledgeables: what are those four “risers” on the valve covers (two on each bank)?
Valve Cover Breathers
Thanks.
Been for sale for a while now……..
And will remain so. Auction ended “reserve not met” at $10,800. And with only 3 bids to get it there.
I owned a 69 340 formula s barracuda with the 4 speed 35 years ago.Lots of fun.Oh yeah i wish i had that car now.
Donald Lee Petty = John Voight?
Just confirm the teeth impressions on the pencil and you’ll know.
I would take out a second mortgage on the house and put a 426 hemi in it.
This car would be a lot more interesting if it had a “426 Hemi” in it, instead of the 392, which is nowhere period correct for a Super Stock “clone”. Stock early hemi’s were not that particularly powerful and weighed a ton. Better to save this motor for a Nostalgia front-engined dragster or AA/Fuel Altered!! .
BTW – Donald Lee Petty is a registered used car dealer in Phoenix, not in Randleman, NC.
25,000 is high for a non Formula S. Car needs a lot of work. $8,500 is more realistic. I would rather have the 392 removed so I could add a 340. The small block, in my opinion, is a better match for the gen 2 Barracuda.
I don’t know about the BO29 tribute market but this looks like a fun hot rod to take to the drag strip.
Overpriced???? No way– Hemi, four speed, an ugly shifter, in your face hood scoop, this thing s a steal. Wish I liked Mopars I would own it
25 grand is way to much for that car. Needs a ton of work. The 392 is interesting and can make good power but way to much weight on the nose. Pistol grip shifter is kewl but6not correct for that car. Theres a solid #2 formula S 68 notchback Cuda in my area for 20 grand. Was an original 383 car. Now has a 440 automatic. Someone with more money than brains will buy it though. Not me.