One Family Slant Six: 1970 Plymouth Barracuda
When the Plymouth Barracuda was totally redesigned in 1970, most buyers wanted a V8 engine. And 89% of them were built with a 318 cubic inch V8 engine or larger. The other 11% came with the Slant Six motor in displacements of either 198 or 225 CI. That includes the seller’s one-family Barracuda that has just 49,000 miles but has been sitting idle for several years. It’s completely original but is going to require both mechanical and cosmetic attention. Located in Bath, New York, this rare car is available here on eBay, but the asking price is not for the faint of heart at $42,360 OBO.
Plymouth had a winner (though temporarily) on their hands with the new E-body Barracuda. In 1970, 48,867 copies were cranked out, a 50% increase over the Valiant-based pony car of the year before. Just 5,585 hardtops and convertibles had a Slant-Six and the seller’s survivor is one of only 3,179 hardtops to have the 225/automatic transmission pairing. Given the likely attrition rate after nearly 55 years, perhaps only a few hundred remain – in any condition.
As the story goes, the seller’s grandmother bought this car new in 1970. Built in April 1970 in Hamtramck, Michigan, this Barracuda was delivered in St. Petersburg, Florida. The MSRP likely showed few options, since it sports dog dish hub caps (in the trunk?), but does have an automatic transmission (column-shifted!) and factory air conditioning. After she apparently passed away, the seller’s fathers had the car and would start it periodically until he died in 2020. It’s sat idle ever since with under 50,000 miles on the odometer.
Everything we see is said to be original. There’s no sign of a battery, so it may have been four years since the engine last turned over. The Alpine White paint looks okay at 20 feet, but there are some nicks and dings and some surface rust which has been covered over by tape. The interior looks more than presentable, though we’re told the buyer will have to address the headliner. Since so few of these I-6 machines were built and survive, hopefully, this Barracuda will not become a Hemi clone. But work is needed here, and you will be all-in for sizeable change at the seller’s asking price.
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Comments
I’m sorry, but this car has some SERIOUS rust issues; and the rust on the sifter handle/turn signal stalk and delamination of the paint on the interior gauge cluster would seem to indicate damp storage conditions. (IMO) this car, even though it’s a low mileage, /6 car is no where near worth the asking price of $42,360!
My guess someone has been watching Barrett Jackson, this is nowhere near the condition to ask a price their asking. Good luck with the sale.
I think they are emotionally attached to the car. They haven’t done enough research to realize there is a huge difference in value between a Cuda with a desirable power train and a 6 cylinder Barracuda, same goes for mileage and condition. If someone without prior knowledge does a search for articles and prices, big dollar cars and low mileage survivors are what comes up. Generally it’s the experience time and the knowledge gained over an extended period is how most people gain an understanding of market forces and whose opinions are worth listening to. Hopefully they will figure out over time this car is worth nowhere near their asking price, if not at least it’s parked inside and won’t continue to deteriorate.
Steve R
Barrett Jackson dreaming……Wow!
Could this be the White Ghost?
lol!
Kowalski needs to drive it to SF.
It won’t be a “walk in the park”for Kowalski with a 6 cylinder pushing maybe 80 to out run Johnny law.
Although on the bright side Kowalski never gets far being pulled over prior to being arrested ….
The great news is he never sees the shiny dozer blade up close. 😜🎃
Love the movie 🎥 🍿 …
Have others have said and I hole hardly agree! Car is worth no where asking.
But as all know its worth what a buyer and seller agree to. Good luck with the sale.
If we set aside the sky-high price, I really dig this car. It’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing. I would love to see it restored to as-new condition. I wish the owners the best of luck.
Does it come with a 440 to drop in?
Knew there’d have to be one person on hear that would want to rip it apart and put a different engine in it. There’s always at least one
Make that two. Never mind that the asking price is laughable, but this is a project car with all that rust, and if you are taking on a project you might as well have some fun with it.
Does it come with a date code 440 to drop in?
Owner got price from: Choose One: Neighbor, barber, uncle, gas station attendant, crystal ball, heirs.
You forgot dog groomer
An old American Pickers dream.
That’s 149,000 miles. Looks like Bondo is delaminating on the left front quarter. Grandma bought it new and then gave it to one of the kids or grand kids when she was done with it.
I’ll wager the motor is getting tired too if it still runs.
No sir, not a slant six tired at 52,000 nor even 152,000 miles.
Barn Finds wrapping up Barracuda month with this fine specimen. Did all the old Mopar hoarders get the same “Sell!” message?
I’m restoring one now except mine has the 3spd manual, B5 blue with a blue interior. 10 years in and I just finished the dash and it’s going into paint soon. The seller is high as a kite, that needs $30k+ in restoration parts, labor and paint. It’s a $12-15k car at best and guaranteed the buyer will yank the slant out, no one but crazy guys like me restore a ‘muscle car’ and keep the 6 cylinder
I wiuld leave it stock; just like early Chargers or Barracudas with 6 bangers(or anything 6 banger) leave it slone!!! Always with the BS “stick an 8 in it;
The asking price is above the value guides’ estimates for a #1 concours example.
Decent car. But not 42K of decent. Not even close! Maybe low 20’s. Maybe!
I always look at 70 Barracudas because in June 71 just home from the Army I bought a dealer demo 5k mile 70 Barracuda Gran Coupe…. 318 column auto, A/C, ps pb…. red with white vinyl top… it had the houndstooth interior…. and the 5 lug road wheels with 3 ring whitewalls…. It was very sharp…. Drove it for real in Ohio and Michigan for 8 years and 115k miles. The rust worm did it in…. but the last night I owned it we went for one last ride and it still did 115 with the body loose from the rear spring mounts…
My 2 previous cars were mopars with slant 6’s which are incredible engines.
The listed car could be nice again and worth about the ”ask” if beautifully done…. I’d rebuild the engine and guts…. and everything else…
It sounds like your car would have been very cool in that combo.
@blu…. thanks.. I thought it was…. additionally it had red racing mirrors and red elastomeric rear bumper.. front bumper was chrome. It did not have those stupid hood pins…. or a rear wing. The rocker panels had cast aluminum mouldings with longitudinal strakes. It looked like it was moving when standing still. i never saw a similar car…
At that time Chrysler Corp placed small stiickers in the bottom of right rear windows saying ”air conditioned by Airtemp” which was a Chrysler division that made A/C for buildings etc. and was one of the first… Other than that it was stock…
Ridiculous asking price. If it were cheaper my option would be to leave it looking like a granny car, but put a modern drivetrain and suspension into it. There is nothing appealing about it right now, but a big dose of horsepower is just the thing to cure that.
The car I drove in Driver’s Ed was a 1970 Cuda but it had the 318 and column mounted automatic trans. But it sure looked cool. Plum Crazy too.
But Honey, I tried to sell it but no one wanted it. Looks like I’ll have to keep it after all.
Looks like a misplaced zero in the pricing.
Probably a fun car to drive for $4000.
Grandpa and dad probably took care of it, then son got hold of it. So many kids don’t care about what is passed down to them anymore. All he sees is the $ sign.
It’s been a day of “way over priced” comments. I wonder if the seller gets it yet?
Getting horses from the Leaning Tower of Power isn’t hard at all, paying $45K is ludicrous
I’m just wrapping up a 440. Waiting for electronics. This is just the type of car I’d love to drop it into. However, I’m thinking $10,000 and it’s a contender. Guess I’ll wait for a straight body dart to come along.
You wanna be outrageous, if it’s not rusty, 25,000 and a dumpster for the drivetrain and rear end, loose the column and replace with a console shifted whatever, then put a motor in it, 383, 440, or the ultimate 426, it’s really worthless like this
No!!!! This price is ridiculous, there’s at least $35K in resto to due.
To those that commented about Kowalski ( Vanishing Point), he drove a Challenger, not a Baracuda! The only thing similar to both these cars is the color!
Exactly!
They have a lot more similar than color. Lots of parts shared between the two.
But, yes, everybody knows that it was a Chally. Probably even the original poster’s attempt at some straight 6 humor.
Walt you beat me to kowalski being in a Challenger not back a ruda.
too much $. roof rot big issues. emotional attachment price. may not really want to sell.
I’m glad that someone else recognized the car that Kowalski drove! Is everyone commenting under 50? I was 18 when Vanishing Point came out. Saw it on the big screen at a drive-in. Now I own a Challenger with a 400 six pack, and a 4 speed 360 ‘Cuda. Life does imitate art!
Here’s one for the same price.
https://www.hemmings.com/listing/1973-plymouth-cuda-149438