1964 Plymouth Barracuda

Description

You could follow the crowd and get a later Barracuda, just like the other 10 or 20 that will show up at the next cruise night, or you could take this astounding 1964 Barracuda instead and watch the crowds form. With a surprisingly sprightly slant-six, this bright red fish is a neat little car that deserves a place in your collection.

If you want a car that attracts attention, you really don't need giant engines and tons of chrome. The bright red paint on this Barracuda certainly helps, but the radical bodywork, particularly that giant rear window, is as arresting today as it must have been back in 1964. And despite the fact that the market hasn't grabbed these cars like they have the newer models, someone invested a sizable pile of cash to put this one into better-than-new condition. Fit and finish are extremely good, the sheetmetal underneath is so straight it looks like it just popped out of the press, and there's evidence of a passionate owner everywhere you look. Gaps are tight, panel alignment is exacting, and, of course, that big rear window doesn't look 50 years old. All the stainless trim went under a skilled polisher's wheel and the chrome bumpers were refinished and bolted back into place. Heck, even the delicate grille has been painted to match the body.

The gorgeous red interior is fresh and looks ready for show. The seats are stylish low-back buckets that match the fold-down rear bench, and it certainly doesn't look like a low-cost job. Matching carpets, highly detailed door panels, and a new headliner all add to the brand new vibe this car gives off. The brilliant shiny dashboard looks like pure 1960s style, kind of like high-end hi-fi equipment, with wonderfully ornate instruments and an always-cool pushbutton shifter for the automatic transmission. The original AM radio still does its thing in the dash, and you'll note that the lettering on the dial matches that on the gauges. The woodgrained wheel adds a touch of elegance to the sleek red interior and once again, you just won't believe how beautifully done everything is. No detail has been overlooked, and even the trunk is wonderfully detailed with matching carpets bright shiny hardware everywhere you look.

Now before you dismiss the 225 cubic inch slant six under the hood, please come drive this car. And even if driving isn't your thing, you can easily see that it has been properly detailed for show, with Hemi Orange paint on the engine itself, a proper air cleaner, and lots of authentic finishes on the various components. It starts easily and runs like a sewing machine, and the inline-six's torque makes the lightweight Barracuda feel agile and light on its feet. There's no need for power steering or brakes when there's not a giant chunk of iron over the front wheels, so controls effort is still light without losing that direct feel. The undercarriage is solid, looks fantastic, and with a recent muffler and only 72,127 original miles, there was no need for a full restoration. Recent 185/80/13 Firestone radials look right and offer improved handling over the original bias-ply tires.

Documented with a Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet, manuals, restoration receipts, and photos, this is one of the nicest early Barracudas we've ever seen. Give it a try and you might find that quality has its own rewards. Call today!