The Plymouth Barracuda doesn’t ever get is due as technically being the first pony car to hit the market. It made it to dealer lots in ’64 ahead of the Mustang but the country became enraptured with the Ford and history has taken its course from there. Like the Mustang, the attitude and feel of the Barracuda certainly evolved over the years. From light, small block powered cars that were to provide a fun and sporty driving experience to big block powered knuckle draggers looking for a street fight in the hands of young guys across the country, their evolution was nearly identical. This is one of those bruisers from the late 1960s and frankly one of the cars we prefer in the Barracuda lineage.
The 273 and 340 are fine engines but we’re displacement guys so the 383 cuber that is powering this thing is right in our wheel house. The 383 was the big block of the muscle car era that thought it was a small block and in this car when backed with a four speed transmission, it would certainly have provided the thrills necessary to hammer some of the local competition. We really like this car for the body colored steel wheels, the dual scoop style hood, and the fact that it has been expertly restored to stock. Now the engine has been replaced at some point as the one in the car has a 1970 date code and apparently the wrong numbers. Outside of that the rest of the thing (right down to the radiator) is correct as it came out of the Plymouth factory in 1969.
Note that the rear window had morphed by this time in the Barracuda’s history to be more of a flat panel in the rear of the car in stead of the massive wrap around look that it had for previous years. No doubt this was Chrysler saving a few bucks. That other glass had to have been horrendously expensive to produce.
This is a cool car that we’d cruise the wheels off of…what do you think?
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A rare car indeed. Plymouth only built 378 1969 ‘Cuda 383 Fastbacks. The 383 was rated at 330 HP. It is not the same 383 found in the Road Runner (335 HP). The option (A57) included the 383, a 4 speed transmission, HD shocks and suspension, E70x14 Redstreak tires and was priced at $344.75 – $35 more than the A56 ‘Cuda 340 package
I’m a MERCURY man but this is one BEAUTIFUL MOPAR!! I like these better than the next generation cuda,more class!!!
Beautiful ’69 Barracuda fastback, I use to have one myself when I was stationed in Hawaii (the drivetrain now lives in my Duster).