(Photos: 4doorcuda.com) We’ve been tracking the progress on the four-door Plymouth Barracuda prototype re-creation that ECS Automotive Concepts and company president David Walden has been working on for a couple of years now, simply because it’s one of the most interesting builds we’ve heard about in a bit. Based on the eyewitness accounts of a former Chrysler employee who saw the factory-built four-door concept on a loading dock at the Auburn Hills campus in late 1969, where it sat for a couple of days before receiving a thumbs-down and a one-way trip to the crusher, the project utilizes a very stripped-down 1971 B-body shell and a lot of NOS sheetmetal.
The setup is as the car was seen, hence no stickers, no Hemi, no Shaker scoop, or anything else like it. Shown as a 340-4bbl automatic on the column car, it’s as a basic Barracuda would’ve been spec’d out in early 1970. We had been expecting to see a luggage rack on the trunk, but that has been omitted. The red with black Gator grain top, however, is exactly as we were told by Walden.
If you want to check out the car up close and in person, there are a couple of events coming up where you can do just that. If you missed it’s first show at the Mopar and Muscle Cars At The Strip last month, you can catch the car at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals in Pennsylvania (July 14-16), the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago (November 18th-19th), or at the 2017 SEMA show.
(Thanks to Tardis454 for the tip!)
So why recreate an absolute abortion that was never ever fit to be seen in the metal? This thing was drowned at birth and should have been left to remain in obscurity,
Have agree with Geordie on this one .
Idiot
Because they decided they wanted to put their time and money into the project. That’s all that matters. What you or anyone else thinks means fuck all.
If you’re not raised as a commie sheep, you understand that people can do what they want with their own resources, and not follow the wish of the masses.
My sheep all wear matching uniforms and all baa to the tune I tell them to. How dare you call them commies!
Gotta admire the quality of workmanship/time that it took for this, The products they make are amazing.
I think the car is friggin cool! Who wouldn’t want a Barracuda? Two door, four door, it doesn’t matter.
You an idiot
*you’re
Thank you.
For all the effort and execution of this quality of build, it’s still a “turd”!
The Barracuda was and still is a great looking pony car, but not as a 4 door!
Looks like one of those Aussie 4 doors like a Monaro or Charger.
Hmmm,
I recall reading about this car and seeing some “In-Progress” photos (still available online @ http://4doorcuda.com ). It’s clear to me that the builders expended copious amount of time and effort to precisely “duplicate” the apparent styling exercise/what if viability. I guess my thoughts are (1) admiration for the quality of the work, (2) The detail of the individual pieces/parts and (3) While an interesting vehicle, it seems easy to understand why it was never selected for further development/production.
Since the E bodies were intended to be sporty cars, the production of a 4-door would’ve diluted the presence intended for the model line. Further, it would’ve been essentially a duplicative vehicle in the mid-size category (think B Body).
It’s a shame that the original was apparently crushed, but Chrysler couldn’t have sold the prototype to the public (I think primarily due to liability related issues – Crash testing etc) Since only one was ever intended to be produced, and no doubt some of the parts were not/could not be supported by either documentation nor the parts supply. Maybe it could’ve been donated to a museum, but the time and costs to process it would likely have precluded such an action. Sometimes, it’s cheaper and more expedient to just dispose of it.
Still, while it’s an unusual idea, I certainly wouldn’t have found it desirable, particularly given the other vehicles in the lineup.
Just my .02
You are a blooming idiot. It’s a 70 original dumbaas
Doesnt look horrible, but who wants a more door car? A lot of work for what would be a parts car for a coupe in any other make.
Idiot
Quote, \”Based on the eyewitness accounts of a former Chrysler employee who saw the factory-built four-door concept on a loading dock at the Auburn Hills campus in late 1969,\”
Chrysler Corporation was not in Auburn Hills in 1969. So much for eyewitness credibility.
Idiot
This is a stock restored 1070 plymouth barracuda. Not a prototype, how stupid are the idiots that think it\’s a prototype.
1070 is only 900 years before Plymouth started building cars
Idiot
Impeccable talent spent on an incredibly ugly machine.
Joel is either drunk, on drugs, or 12 years old.
Great workmanship, but the only explanation as to the “why” I can think of is that this is just further proof of how kooky some Mopar fanatics are! LOL
It needs a 318 instead of the 340. Just sayin’.
Nothing like seeing one that actually exists rather than a drawing. I agree with Chrysler’s decision not to proceed to production but I feel they would have sold plenty. Quite sporty looking but would have diluted the Barracuda “brand”. Just as a 4 door Monte Carlo, for example, would. Great execution though!
The car was done really well by Mr. Walden. If that’s what he wanted to spend his money and time on then that’s fine with me. It didn’t cost ME a cent to build it. I’m not a big fan of the 4 door look but oh well. I can’t wait to see this thing in person at Carlisle.
If it’s the same ECS I’m thinking of(and I’m pretty sure it is), they make some really interesting products that nobody else has and everything I’ve ever seen or bought from them has been dead nuts on super nice.
I bought a few of their little transfer decals that go below the dash VIN that say Chrysler Corp and they were perfect. A little fiddly to put on with my sausage fingers but I got them on.
Just my opinion. I know Joel…..I’m an idiot. I’ll save you some typing.
Ha ha needs A/C & a Chrysler “Airtemp” decal….
Hey Bangshift. Auburn Hills facility didn’t exist in 68 . Most likely Highland Park office OR the test track at Cheslea Mi. I’d drive the HELL out of this. This is wicked beyond belief!