Plymouth Barracuda

The Plymouth Barracuda is a two door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964-1974. The first generation Barracuda, a fastback. A body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964-1966. The second generation 1967-1969 Barracuda, though still Valiant based, was heavily redesigned. Second generation A body cars were available in fastback, notchback, and convertible versions. The 1970-1974 E-body Barracuda, no longer Valiant based, was available as a coupe and a convertible, both of which were very different from the previous models. 1974 was the final model year for the Barracuda.

Automotive trends in the early mid 1960s had all the U.S. manufacturers looking at making sporty compact cars. Chrysler's A body Plymouth Valiant was chosen for the company's efforts in this direction. Ford's Mustang, which significantly outsold the Barracuda, gave to this type of vehicle its colloquial name pony car, but the Barracuda fastback's release on 1 April 1964 beat the Mustang by two weeks. Plymouth's executives had wanted to name the car Panda, an idea that was unpopular with the car's designers. In the end, John Samsen's suggestion of Barracuda was selected.

The Barracuda used the Valiant's 106 in (2,692 mm) wheelbase and the Valiant hood, headlamp bezels, windshield, vent windows, quarter panels and bumpers; all other sheet metal and glass was new. This hybrid design approach significantly reduced the development and tooling cost and time for the new model. The fastback body shape was achieved primarily with a giant backlight, which wrapped down to the fender line. The Barracuda was able to return the Valiant's favor the next year, when the fenders and tail lamps that had been introduced on the 1964 Barracuda were used on the whole 1965 Valiant range except for the wagon.

Powertrains were identical to the Valiant's, including two versions of Chrysler's slant six, six cylinder engine. The standard equipment engine had a piston displacement of 170 cu in (2.8 L) and an output of 101 bhp (75 kW), the 225 cu in (3.7 L) option raised the power output to 145 bhp (108 kW). The highest power option for 1964 was Chrysler's all new 273 cu in (4.5 L) LA V8. A compact and relatively light engine equipped with a two barrel carburetor, it produced 180 bhp (130 kW). 1964 was not only the first year for the Barracuda, but also the last year for push button control of the optional Torqueflite automatic transmission, so 1964 models were the only Barracudas so equipped. In 1965, the 225 slant six became the base engine in the US market, though the 170 remained the base engine in Canada.

New options were introduced for the Barracuda as the competition between pony cars intensified. The 273 engine was made available as an upgraded Commando version with a four barrel carburetor, 10.5:1 compression, a more aggressive camshaft with solid tappets. These and other upgrades increased the engine's output to 235 bhp (175 kW). Also in 1965, the Formula S package was introduced. It included the Commando V8 engine, suspension upgrades, larger wheels and tires, special emblems and a tachometer. Disc brakes and factory installed air conditioning became available after the start of the 1965 model year.

For 1966, the Barracuda received new taillights, new front sheet metal, and a new dashboard. The latter had room for oil pressure and tachometer gauges on models so equipped. The 1966 front sheet metal, which except for the grille was shared with the Valiant, gave a more rectilinear contour to the fenders. Deluxe models featured fender top turn signal indicators with a stylized fin motif. The bumpers were larger, and the grille featured a strong grid theme. A center console was optional for the first time.

Although the first Barracudas were heavily based on the contemporary Valiants, Plymouth wanted them perceived as distinct models. Consequently, the Valiant chrome script that appeared on the 1964 model's trunk lid was phased out on the 1965 model in the US market. For 1966, a Barracuda specific stylized fish logo was introduced, though in markets such as Canada and South Africa, where Valiant was a marque in its own right, the car remained badged as Valiant Barracuda until the A body Barracuda was discontinued.

The Barracuda is a collectable car today, particularly high performance versions and convertibles. The small number of Barracudas is the result of low buyer interest when the vehicles were new; therefore, outstanding examples fetch high appraisal values today. Original Hemi super stock Barracudas are now prized collector vehicles, with factory cars commanding high prices.

By: paul4595

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