1967 Plymouth Barracuda

Description

In the pony car wars, it would be a mistake to overlook the Plymouth Barracuda, whose stunning styling makes it a dramatic alternative to the usual Mustangs and Camaros you see all over the place. With a seldom-seen 225 Inline 6 motor, automatic transmission, and an honest, period-correct presentation, this relatively rare stocker Barracuda is a fantastic choice if you're the kind who likes to color a bit outside the lines.

The cool Bronze finish is a slightly older, driver-quality repaint that was done so correctly it could almost pass for original, and it looks fantastic on the Barracuda's unusual styling. Originally a variant of the Valiant, it, like the Mustang, was designed to put an affordable, sporty car within reach of a youthful buying public. As a result, all the Valiant's mechanicals and much of its styling carried over, although the cool notchback profile makes it quite unique and attractive. The workmanship on the repaint is good overall, and as a car that you can (and should!) drive every chance you get, the quality is just right if you're looking for a driver. You won't worry about an errant rainstorm, but it sure shines up nicely for Sunday afternoon shows. Fit and finish are probably better than new, to be honest, and those unique quarter panels have apparently never been rusty. Chrome and stainless trim is a combination of original and restored bits, with all the correct 'Plymouth' and 'Barracuda' badges intact.

Clean, simple lines inside give the Barracuda an understated style, augmented by a set of comfortable bench seats covered in correct seat covers that are exactly like the originals. In fact, by the looks of it, there are lots of original components still in place in this cabin. Factory dials and an extra auxiliary gauge keep a closer eye on the engine bay, and the column shifter falls to hand easily so you'll never miss a shift again. Plush carpets, crisply rendered door panels, and a clean dash pad make it feel new inside, and the doors close with a solid sound, not a hollow rattle like on lesser cars. The back seat has probably not been used in decades and all that extra space is what makes the Barracuda a practical piece of muscle. In the interest of authenticity, it even includes the original Music Master AM radio in the dash, distinctive knobs and all. And in the interest of further comfort, there's an under-dash A/C unit that's pumping in cold R134a treated air. The trunk is a showplace for the solid floors and thoroughness of the restoration, with every square inch painted and covered with a correct plaid mat.

Don't underestimate Plymouth's larger, sportier 225 cubic inch slant-6, because in the featherweight Barracuda, this factory optional six-banger delivers surprising performance. It's silky smooth and looks 100% correct sitting there in the engine bay laying on its side. It's dressed in factory light blue engine enamel and wears a correct air cleaner and '225' decal. Service access is great and it's nice to see that everything is factory correct, sans the upgraded A/C compressor. In the last several years, the engine bay shows that many of the important stuff has been serviced and/or attended to, further proof that this Plymouth has always been treated like royalty. There's a good hit of low-end torque right off the line that develops into a sewing machine smooth ride at higher speed, and there's plenty of power to flip this lightweight Mopar in and out of the corners. Underneath it's as clean as you'd expect after a lifetime of proper care from conscientious owners, exhaling through a correct single exhaust system that has a nice 6-cylinder purr. Front discs brakes are plenty for the lightweight little 2-door and ride quality is great thanks to Plymouth's sporty front suspension and power steering. Factory wheel covers and 215/75/14 Hankook whitewall tires add a correct finishing touch on this beautiful stocker.

This Barracuda is a cool entry-level hobby car with a dependable drivetrain and a great look. Call today!