V8/4-Speed! 1968 Plymouth Barracuda
Back around the time that this 1968 Plymouth Barracuda was built, I would occasionally get confused and call Plymouth’s Mustang competitor a Baccaruda. Why I don’t know, but in a hurry, it just came out that way. This much I do recall, I preferred the notchback and convertible to the “Sports Fastback” and greatly favored this second-gen version (’67-’69) to its predecessor (’64-’66). This one is unusually equipped so let’s take a closer look. It’s located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,800 with 37 bids tendered so far.
I have seen ’68 Barracuda production numbers that range from 40 to 46K thousand. Whichever is correct, it was a respectable number though it paled compared to Mustang/Camaro numbers. The V8 fastback, such as our subject car, realized less than half of total production with about 16K copies seeing the light of day – and that’s one of the reasons that they’re in that seldom-seen category today. Mopar’s fish did, however, best AMC’s Javelin/AMX pair which managed about 32K combined units that year.
This find is in not-so-hot shape. Besides the surface rust and faded paint, there are dents, rust-through, and what looks like poorly patched former rust-through. Whether it’s native to Massachusetts is not disclosed, the seller says that he’s owned it for one year, but a ’60s Mopar and the Bay State usually makes for a real deconstructing iron-oxide moment -a gift that keeps on giving. That said, this car does appear to be complete and the underside images don’t elicit a big cause for concern though plenty of scale is evident.
The seller tells us that this is a rare car due to the combination of its 230 gross HP, 318 CI V8 engine saddled up to a four-speed manual transmission. He offers no statistics, and I couldn’t find any either, but yes, I’m sure this is hardly a common configuration. It does run and drive, but nothing more encouraging than that is said. The odometer is reading 34K miles so that is likely a once-around reading, maybe more. Mechanically, things show as original with the exception of a new fuel tank.
While the black vinyl bucket seats look OK, the floors are really shaky – count on some needed patching or replacing action. The back seat is folded down so its condition is not revealed but the cargo compartment seems to check out with nothing more concerning than faded carpet. The chrome-plated plastic instrument binnacle is dechroming itself but that’s not surprising for a car of this age. Air conditioning is in the house but its operational state is not disclosed.
I see lots of potential here but that potential would be centered around returning this Baccaruda to stock, original shape; it’s just too non-standard a find for mods to be applied. The biggest concern would be the rust repair – if it’s obvious, which in this case it is, there’s usually that much more lurking behind body panels and deep in crevices. I sure want to see this one restored, wouldn’t you agree?
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Comments
The 318 4 speed was a great combo. That extra gear helped in so many ways. It is how I would have ordered one. This is a great car, not much body work, a quick paint job, and you will have something that is practical and fun to drive. Hopefully the money men won’t speculate this up too far. I know that is good for the seller, but in the long run, we all lose.
In 84 I purchased this identical car in red. Same stripe 318 console 4 speed. .I never saw another one till this ..wonder if it was a package type deal .
Nice little dig on the Mopars – ” a ’60s Mopar and the Bay State usually makes for a real deconstructing iron-oxide moment -a gift that keeps on giving ” –
You think the first gen Mustangs and Camaros fared any better ?
Probably.
JO
Sorry Jim here in Canada they all melt no mater make model or country of origin, they who make the most have the most left standing, that and the few that were pampered make some brands seem better. Today things are improved but they all still rust.
My experience, from looking at thousands of cars from that era, and I was around in that era, is that they all rust significantly, especially those domiciled in the snow/salt belt. Plymouths and Dodges, however, and based on my observation, seem to struggle the most with serious, debilitating rust.
Thx,
JO
Definitely not any better. My ‘67 Camaro bought in eastern Mass. needed both rear quarters replaced a few years later as well as work around the front and rear windshields
I bought the Camaro in 1975.
If this wasn’t a factory 4 speed car which is cool it wouldn’t bring much that’s its saving grace imo..Needs a lot of work and after a dip it’ll be swiss cheese . I wouldn’t doubt this car has 34k original miles and sat a lot.
I think that car would have a bigger demand if that was a 340 under the hood. For me anyway.
We had a 67 notchback when i was a kid. I remember it mostly for having possibly the most cramped back seat I’ve ever ridden in. Leg room was tight and head room was practically non-existent. I also preferred the looks over the fastback version though.
What’s the difference between fastback and notchback..I don’t remember hearing that before. I was 7 when this car came out new..lol
The “fastback” version had a longer roofline and rear window more like the original Barracudas, with a very short trunk lid. . The “notchback” had a shorter roofline with a different rear window and a longer trunk lid. I was in the Navy in 66-70 when my dad owned the car and only remember riding in it a few times when I was home on leave and all I really remember about it is the tiny back seat and that was a nice “British racing green” color.
I remember a commercial for the Barracuda where someone referred to it as a “Baccaruda”. Likely you heard (and subsequently forgot) that commercial as well.
I hate to admit it but you maybe right Jim, but I’m soft on Mopar.
I bought a 67’ convertible 273, 4sp in 1982 for $1100.00.
Only The ignorant will not be able to appreciate this car for what it is. I can’t believe the AC still has a V belt on it, and did anyone notice the dual brake reservoir. Everything is original under the hood so probably not raced/abused. Probably has an 8¾ rear too. This is a prime candidate for a restomod or Formula S “tribute”. with a 408 stroker.;o
I respectfully disagree about the A/C. From the factory the A/C used a V2 compressor that was mounted over the timing cover, and the filter-dryer was mounted in front of the pass wheel under the hood (it would be visible in the pic above). With the placement of the compressor on the pass side of the engine, where is the alternator?
Enlarge the long shot of the interior to discover this is an AFTERMARKET AC system.
Respectfully, blow up the pic, dual belt pulley with 1 belt in place. My favorite year range, but lots of work to bring I to my standards. I’m thinking…..
This car deserves to be restored.You would have great classic that would turn heads anywhere and be fun to drive.
Well worth restoring. Any Mopar small block will bolt in and wake this car right up. Save the sleepy 318 2V for originality.
me and a buddy drove his 68 cuda back and forth from ft. jackson s.c. to east tenn quite a few times, he hated when i played mountain’s 8-track 2 track long rendition of nantucket sleighride… good memories… R.I.P. roger… :(
that was in 1971… :)
Paramount is currently streaming a series, Poker Face, and the “hero” drives a Barracuda, same color. It does not get enough screen time to ID the engine, etc but is fun to see it and occasional spirited driving by the stunt team.
Back in my drag racing days I remember seeing a rear engined wheel-stander called Baccaruda. Kinda like the “Hemi Under Glass” car that Hurst sponsored, but newer body style. I may have seen it (or them…it was along time ago!) at the first Spring Nationals at Bristol.
“Back around the time that this 1968 Plymouth Barracuda was built, I would occasionally get confused and call Plymouth’s Mustang competitor a Baccaruda. Why I don’t know, but in a hurry, it just came out that way.”
What?! You got confused calling a Barracuda a “Barracuda”? What else were you going to call it??
Calling a Barracuda a “Baccaruda“; sheesh, get it right!
JO
I briefly dated a girl back in the day that asked if my Lemans GT was a “Baccaruda”. Thought I would never hear that term again.
Right! See, it’s not that out there.
Thx,
JO
There was a cartoon ad for them that called it a BA-BA-RA-RA-CU-CU-DA-DA.
I stand corrected; that’s probably the ad. I was in Europe until 66, so maybe there was another one?
I had a 1969 as a teenager in pa. Same motor and tranny dual exhaust with a rear end that I believe was a posi. It was in very good shape! That was 1976, 77. Should still be in Elkton Maryland. Possibly in a garage. My dad took it back when I knocked the drive shaft out coming from work late at night. It had around 80,000 thousand miles then. Skokie S.
Mopar used a very small u joint at that time, in the cars and trucks.It was a problem
I’m normally a Ford and Chevy guy, but this Mopar has my attention. Factory air car with a manual is hard to ignore. Depending what the end sales price is, someone is gonna have a great Barracuda to bring back. Good find.
Has air but not factory
Bought one identical blue fastback, Formula S in 70. A 68 -w- 19k. 383 Hurst4spd. Bench ,int same blue. Bought from org owner, AF guy Crane cam solids ,headers Edelbrock,780,posi . It was too fast. Sold it in 72. for $1200.The one I should have kept.Even with big block,it hit just over2900lb. It was a beauty.I think of it often.It was a babe magnet.
I bought a 68 notch back 340 4speed in 75 for 500 dollars. I embarrassed a lot of fords and chevys with that car, even some big block mopars. It was a blast and fast!
I don’t doubt your word. I had a 68 GTS Dart with a 340 and 727 while I was in the military. I had a lot of people pull up next to me at red light and want to run to the next red light. It made no difference to me if they were big blocks and four speeds. About the only thing they saw was my break lights stopping at the next light. Those 340’s were one of the best small blocks ever built. A lot more HP than Chrysler admitted too.
You just triggered a road trip memory of mine when I was a junior in high school. Was going cross state in SD with my best friend in his 1956 Volkswagen and on the way back, a cylinder let go with still over 200 miles to go. So for the rest of the way it was only your extended version of Nantucket Sleigh Ride and “Killer” by Alice Cooper 8-track tapes to listen to at 40-45 mph tops on 3 cylinders!
This certainly caught my attention! This car right now is forefront in the mind of some viewers of “Poker Face”. Charlie Cale, the heroine, this is her ride through the series. Should be easy to find some girl to dress and mimic her at car shows.
Here is where it came from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3_WKMld7MY
It would have been a good time to scrub that undercarriage clean and treat for rust before Installing the new gas tank. I agree this Mopar was setup nicely from the get go. With the 318 and 4 speed. AC was probably added by the dealer at the time.
My favorite car was a ’65 273 2 barrel w/4 spd. Very big step from ’60 beetle. I drove it pure stock. I made all the stupid mistakes. I ran without a tachometer, stock 13″ tires, solid lifter, shifted out of second gear around 75 mph. Went through a lot of tires. I started a ‘run’ with my right foot down on the brake pedal and left foot on the clutch. To launch I would jerk my foot from the brake to the gas pedal, slide my left foot left off the pedal and dump the clutch. Mechanical failures amounted to broken clutch linkage and a freeze plug behind the flywheel. I over sized the the tires and blew the spider gears in the differential.