273/4-Speed: 1965 Plymouth Barracuda
Ford is often acknowledged as the creator of the pony car sector, but Chrysler beat it to the punch with its Plymouth Barracuda. Mere days separated the pair, but the most significant difference was the publicity generated by the respective launches. Plymouth’s was relatively subdued, while Ford unveiled its new model before enormous crowds at the 1964 World’s Fair. That begs the question of how different the pony car story might have been were the roles reversed. This 1965 Barracuda is a survivor that retains its original paint. It isn’t perfect, but its overall condition is very impressive. It runs and drives perfectly, representing a turnkey proposition for the new owner. The seller has listed the Barracuda here on eBay in San Tan Valley, Arizona. The bidding has surged past the reserve to sit at $11,300.
Plymouth’s and Ford’s development cycles for their first pony cars followed broadly similar paths, with both manufacturers basing their new models on existing platforms. However, creating fresh sheetmetal allowed the Mustang and Barracuda to stand out in the crowd. The most distinctive feature of the Plymouth’s Fastback design was the enormous rear window, with the company spending a considerable sum developing what was, at the time, the largest window installed on a production car. This Barracuda rolled off the line in 1965, and describing it as a survivor is fair. Its panels wear the original Light Blue paint, and there is no history of repairs or restoration. There are imperfections, but their minor nature makes preservation viable. The panels are straight, while life in a dry climate has left this classic rust-free. The trim looks remarkable for a vehicle of this age, and the tinted glass is crystal clear.
I described this Barracuda as a survivor, and that is generally correct. Lifting its hood reveals the original 273ci V8, generating 180hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque. Shifting duties originally fell to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, although the seller swapped in a four-speed manual unit. However, it isn’t bad news for those craving originality because they have retained and included the original TorqueFlite, shifter, and console. The power and torque produced by the 273 are lower than figures generated by Ford’s C-Code 289, so it is fair to expect performance to lag as well. The difference isn’t overwhelming, and this Plymouth should be a blast to drive. The seller indicates the Barracuda is in excellent mechanical health, running and driving perfectly. It sits on a new set of tires from the good folks at BF Goodrich and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
Perhaps the most outstanding aspect of this Barracuda is its interior. The Hurst shifter is a later addition, and the carpet is relatively new. Otherwise, the Blue vinyl trim is original, and the dash is unmolested. There is no appreciable wear on any surfaces, and the trim has survived the rigors of the Arizona sun exceptionally well. It isn’t loaded with creature comforts, but the dash houses the factory AM radio for tunes on the move.
The First Generation Plymouth Barracuda typically isn’t a mega-bucks classic, although the right car can command a respectable price when it hits the market. This 1965 model isn’t perfect, but its condition is exceptional for an unrestored vehicle. Reinstating the original transmission would cement its survivor credentials, but leaving it mechanically untouched would probably create a more engaging driving experience. The bidding hasn’t been frantic, but recent sales results suggest it should hit $20,000 before the hammer falls. Any figure lower would represent a relative bargain, making this auction well worth watching.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$200
Comments
I think this A body is finally coming into its own in the collector arena. I would also have to say this chassis is a better design than the first generation Mustang suspension. However in a side by side comparison between this Barracuda and the Mustang Fastback it’s the Mustang hands down. She’s a pretty pony for sure.
Definitely my favorite Barracuda generation – the ’64 and ’65. I don’t mind the manual swap so long as the original TorqueFlite comes along. I could always wish for a Formula S but this is very nice.
One of my mother’s best friends, who could’ve driven a Maserati if she wanted, had one of these that she drove for years. She finally decided she needed a new car and gave this to her daughter. Six months into the new Firebird, she swapped back.
This is what should have happened to that car in the controversial #43 Barracuda post. I beg to differ about a 273 being less than a 289. My 2nd Valiant had a 273 and gave plenty 289s some trouble. It seemed the 302 was the performer. Nice car, naturally, I’d want an automatic, but 15 people are apparently willing to row through the gears every 3 blocks.
Nice car! Seems kind of strange that it raced past the reserve at $11,300 yet the ad said firm at $15,500, now it’s gone!
Yep….saw that…..dang I need that Formula S trunk tire cover with the cut out…..that was for the 14″ Blue Streak tires they came with from the factory. The fold down back cover also has a little cut out on the Form S cars….
I wonder what it sold for?
I’ve always like these cars but his has got to be the least stylistic dash of that era. Talk about “budget”…
The 273 was a really good all rounder. Big enough to make this flash compact boogy down the road, but still economical enough to deliver impressive mileage when not driven like a madman. The factory solid lifters were a nice touch too.
Dodge Dart Fastback
I had a 64 Dodge dart Gt slant 6 4-speed Hurst shifter and swapped in a 273 Hipo with added duals. And down the road I went she would really move
Car Talk’s Tom Magliozzi’s favorite car . . . I miss listening to “Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers” . . . RIP Tom
Even if Plymouth had poured a grunch of money into the Barracuda as Ford did with the Mustang, it wouldn’t have changed the outcome much. — Chrysler was still all about design tradition back then – and Ford was all about coming up with a new sports car design – that not only looked good, but was as cheap to make as ridiculously possible. My sister bought one of the first ’65 Mustangs available – in yellow – with the straight six / auto trans / floor shift drive train. I drove it and looked it over meticulously. It looked good – very stylish – and driving it was a lot of fun, but the car was literally as much of a cheap tin-can as you could possibly get. Even with its 6 cyl, I could easily get the cheap pony car to fishtail – flooring it in low gear from a dead stop – it was that unstable – that lightweight – that cheap. — On the other hand, a friend who had a wealthy father got the Barracuda for his 16th birthday. Driving his Barracuda was distinctly different – it was noticeably heavier – it’s huge back glass probably weighed more than the entire Mustang body. And the Barracuda handled much better. Even with its V8 and very sharp snappy torqueflite tranny – shifting gears precisely a lot faster than any clutch / stick combo – it shot off the line in a solid straight line, with no flimsy fishy action from the rear suspension. The wheel base was noticeably wider and much more stable than the Mustang. All around – the Barracuda was a superior sports car in every way – except – its looks! — The Mustang sat back on its haunches – like a cat (it should have been named “Cougar” – not “Mustang”) ready to spring into action. The Barracuda – unfortunately – looked like a shrunk-down 2-dr Chrysler family car — NOT a sports car — and therein was the huge difference in the popularity of the two vehicles. It took Chrysler a while to figure out it needs a “new” body style altogether – hence the later models Barracuda and Challenger. Ford beat them to it with the Mustang way too many years before them and that is the pertinent reason why Mustang took off in record sales while the Barracuda flopped around with anemic sales – and nothing will ever change that – even through the years – regardless of any other factors.
That is why you can still buy a new Ford Mustang today.
Sorry folks but I am off on a different path here when I saw the front of this car it reminded me of our AP6 Valiant station wagon 65/66 era here in Australia a fantastic car three on the tree and the durable plus 225 slant six we went on many a family trips in that car without any hassles suffice to say we laughed when we saw stranded Holdens and Fords which had boiled on the side of the road in our hot summers but the Valiant soldered on without any complaints.
Bidding started at $5000. It got no bids and did not sell. Go check the EBAY listing.
Not true.
The seller ended the auction early (probably sold it off-line) and cancelled all of the bids. Click the 0 Bids link to see the actual Bid History:
https://www.ebay.com/bfl/viewbids/186421217758
In the commentary about the car by Adam Clarke, he states, “The bidding has surged past the reserve to sit at $11,300.” So there is some confusion/contradiction here.
The bidding went up to $11k and the seller not wanting to let it go for that cancelled all the bids and ended the auction early. Go check the bids.
Bought a 65 Barracuda in 1971 when in high school for $100. 60 k miles. Bought from original owner who was offered that amount on trade in for a new Gremlin so this kid got a deal. 273 Commando 235 hp, 4 speed. My project was to paint it, add JC Whitney dual exhaust kit, and chrome reverse wheels with bigger tires on the back. Ran pretty darn good and was fun to drive. Very light on the front when over 110 mph.
I also had a 65 Barracuda around that time frame. It had been run hard and put up wet, with the original 273 Commando V8 replaced with an older 318,
rough body. I enjoyed that 4 speed tranny. Been thinking about dragging it out of the pasture and doing something with it.