This 1966 Plymouth Barracuda is a tidy classic possessing a touch of menace. However, we need to look below the surface to discover that the seller has performed a range of upgrades that increase the power and transform it into a genuine driver’s car. It has a few minor interior cosmetic shortcomings, but none require urgent attention. The new owner could tackle them as time and circumstances allow. It is listed here on Craigslist in Lake of the Pines, California. They set their price at $17,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this muscular classic.
Many people mistakenly believe the Mustang was the world’s first pony car. However, Plymouth beat them to the punch with the First Generation Barracuda that hit the market approximately two weeks before Ford’s iconic model. The First Generation Barracuda remained on sale from 1964 until 1966. Our feature car left the showroom floor during the final production year, looking positively menacing in thirty-year-old Black Imron paint. The seller admits there are minor imperfections, but a recent detail has left it shining impressively. The semi-gloss Black police wheels with the factory hubcaps heighten the intimidating impression. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and rust is not an issue. The sparkling chrome contrasts with the dark paintwork, and the glass is spotless.
The seller states that the original owner ordered this Barracuda with the 273ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, front disc brakes, and a 150mph speedometer. The combination would have provided excellent performance, but they have pushed the boundaries across the entire car to produce a genuine driver’s car. The 273 has made way for a built 340, featuring a 0.030″ overbore. It houses a forged crank and pistons and an upgraded Mopar Performance camshaft. The builder bolted on ported “J” cylinder heads with larger intake valves and topped the lot with an LD340 intake and the ever-reliable Holley 650 Double Pumper. The power output is unclear, but it feeds through a four-speed manual transmission to an 8¾” Sure Grip rear end with 3.55 gears. The mechanical TLC doesn’t stop there because the Barracuda’s underside includes a reinforced K-Frame. The front end is rebuilt with more upgraded components, including reinforced lower control arms. The upper control arms and torsion bars come from the good folk at Firm Feel. KYB shocks keep things controlled, the sway bar is larger, and stopping power comes courtesy of 11¾” Cordoba discs and Viper calipers. The rear has received similar attention. The factory leaf springs are supplemented by a ¾” Addco sway bar, with Diplomat 10 x 2½ rear drums providing the stopping power. The seller’s approach has been to create a total package, and they claim it is in excellent mechanical order and track-ready.
The Barracuda’s interior is serviceable, but the seller admits it needs work. They describe items like the door trims and back seat as okay, but the front seats and carpet need some love. The bright dash trim deserves a trip to the platers, and the factory radio has made way for a JVC radio/cassette player. The overall condition is acceptable for a track day car, but the buyer will probably decide to splash some cash to bring the presentation to a higher level.
The seller claims they spent $7,000 on the engine powering this 1966 Barracuda, but they are asking $17,000 for the entire car. If that is correct, that values the rest of the Plymouth at $10,000. It would be virtually impossible to find another rust-free Barracuda of this vintage and perform the suspension and brake upgrades for that figure. If you were thinking about following that build path, buying this classic would save a lot of time and hassles. It should also save a lot of money. That has to make it worth considering.
I think this is a steal! Although never a big fan of the original Barracuda this one looks great and with the handling upgrades, [not to mention the engine] probably drives great as well.
I’m betting it won’t last long…
Makes these big dollar dropping Chevelle or Camero buyers look like a fool their money story come true.
I had one back in the day. A lot of great memories..you have a beautiful car. Let me know if you still want to sell it.
Whoa! I agree with robj – this babe is a steal ! — What a gorgeous original Barracuda survivor! The interior seats and carpet fix-needs are very minor – any good upholstery shop would have it looking like new in short order without a lot of outlay to get it there. The bright trim on the dash is something else – that would take some bucks to get it back to factory – and it would have to come out of the car for proper work – and then reinstalled which is very labor intensive – and it has to be done by an expert on car wiring – or the dash may never work correctly again. — So, if it was mine, I’d probably ignore that small detail flaw. This babe is a keeper. Whoever gets it should cherish and pamper it – garage it – and keep it in top notch order to do it the justice it deserves. I really love the original Barracuda and would love this one – just can’t afford it – even at it’s “steal of a price”. Some soon-to-be very happy buyer is out there….
Already gone. Would have liked to have a chance at this one. Had a 64 and a half. 273 commando v8 with the pushbutton auto trans. Mopar dealership here said it was very uncommon to get a cuda v8 pushbutton trans. Sold it to my brother. Said if he ever sold it, it would be to me. He took the drivers front fender off it for a 64 valiant and sent it to the junk yard. The owner of the yard is still driving it today. One that got away.
I was thinking a roll cage. You have to replace the ratty drivers seat anyway!
I remember when Richard Petty dragged his “Hemi Under Glass” ‘Cuda.
Very intriguing car!~
Cobraboy, I don’t believe Petty Enterprises, Inc (PEI) had any affiliation with the “Hemi Under Glass” folks you referenced.
From Wikipedia “The Hemi Under Glass was developed by Hurst Corporation to showcase their products in the A/FX class – precursor to funny cars. In 1965, George Hurst hired Wild Bill Shrewsberry of Mansfield, OH, an accomplished drag racer who had raced for both Mickey Thompson and Jack Crissman. After helping to pioneer it into the first wheelstanding exhibition car, Shrewsberry left at the end of the season to pursue his own project.
For the 1966 season, Bob Riggle, who was also from Mansfield, OH and was involved with Hurst as a mechanic and fabricator became the second driver of the Hurst Hemi Under Glass car and campaigned the cars with Hurst as the sponsor until later years when the Hurst Company was sold to Sunbeam. At that point, the car ran without the Hurst logo and was simply known as the “Hemi Under Glass.” Riggle’s career ended in 1975 with a devastating accident at US 30 Dragway in Gary, Indiana.”
Let me know if I’m off on this but I don’t ever recall PEI working with HUG.
You are correct. I conflated the Petty drag ‘Cuda with “Hemi Under Glass.”
But Petty did drag a Barracuda successfully in ’64/’65 after the Hemi ban.
Your right but Petty did campaign a fuel injected gen one barracuda. I had a 66 with a commando v8 4spd. I liked it but traded it for a 67 belvedere 383. Which I traded for a 70 RR 383. I wish I had all three back.
Nice find. Seldom see a 1st gen baraccuda and this with the 340, 4speed,355 rear, that’s a nice car a nd like the Buick, affordable. Just shows that there are still cars out there for the middle class enthusiast. You just have to look.
Yep, gone in a flash.
It’s hard to spend under 20K for some real classic muscle in 2023.
Strange to have done all the mechanical upgrades without headers? That thing’s gotta breathe.
A spectator tragedy ended Richard Petty’s short drag racing career. After NASCAR banned the Hemi, Petty drag raced a Hemi-powered Barracuda called “43 Jr. Outlawed”. In 1965 at Atlanta, Petty was match racing Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick’s 64 GTO, the “Mystery Tornado.” Something broke on the Barracuda suspension sending it through the fence and into a crowd of spectators. Several people were hurt. I think one was killed. That was Petty’s last drag race.
I did a little checking. An 8 year old boy was killed. Petty had the remains of the car buried on his private property so it would never be seen again.
Most interesting to me as my 2nd car ever was a 66 Formula ‘S’ which had the factory hi-po 273 and 4-speed. Mine was gold with a gold and white interior. I recall it was $1800 and only a scant few yrs old! I believe it came with blue line tires from the factory?
Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved this generation Plymouth Barracuda. If only craigslist had kept the ad up for another day or so before removing it. I’ve always loved seeing pics of the car. The more, the better. Given the condition of the car, I’d be willing to pay between $15k and $20k.