The Plymouth Barracuda is one of the most sought-after for many reasons, such as its status as a pony car and later as a muscle car, its short run of production, sentimental value, its performance characteristics, and unique style. Pristine examples of the ‘Cuda occasionally sell at auction for $150,000 to $200,000. Considered the first “pony car,” a term given to the segment of smaller, performance-aligned, imaginatively-styled, economy cars developed in the sixties, the Barracuda was introduced in 1964, just before the first Ford Mustang appeared on showroom floors.
Being aware of the introduction of the revolutionary Ford Mustang, Plymouth engineers were skillfully and expeditiously crafted a fastback body shape, added some new sheet metal and a giant 14.4 square foot rear window to its existing 106-inch wheelbase A-body Valiant, and rolled out the Valiant Barracuda just two weeks before the Mustang. Over the years, Plymouth engineers increased the performance of the future ‘Cuda, with the help of more powerful engines like the Hemi, and beefed up the suspension and handling until the Barracuda eventually stood on its own as a pony car and muscle car, formidable on the street and on the race track. Opinions differ on which year Barracuda is the most popular, but regardless of the criteria, the ‘Cuda can stand proud along side the Mustang, GTO, and Camaro.
Plymouth Barracuda Models and Specs
The 1964 Valiant Barracuda was more notable for sporting the largest glass fastback window on a production car than for its performance. The ’64 Barracuda was powered by a 170 cubic-inch Slant Six which developed 145 hp, or a 273 cubic-inch V8 that developed 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
In 1965, the Barracuda stretched its performance wings with the “Formula S” option which included the 273 cubic-inch 235 hp Commando V8, taut suspension, bigger wheels, attractive badging, and a tachometer. The “Valiant” brand no longer appeared on the Barracuda. The underpowered 225 cubic-inch Slant Six and the 180 hp 273 cubic-inch V8 received reinforcements in the shape of a 273 cubic-inch 235 hp Commando V8. An encouragement to Barracuda racing enthusiasts was the fact that the 1965 Mustang 289 cubic-inch V8 offered only 200 horsepower.
The 1966 model got a new front end, tail lights, dash, and Barracuda logo. No changes were made to the available engines.
The 1967 Barracuda underwent a full redesign, introducing a concave trunk panel and a longer wheelbase. While the 225 Slant Six was eliminated, the 273 V8 offered a choice of 2-barrel or 4-barrel carburetors, and there was also an under-appreciated 383 cubic-inch big-block V8 to squeeze under the hood. You could now prowl the drive-ins in a convertible as well as fastback or notchback hardtops.
1968 saw the revival of the 145 hp 225 Slant Six. The 383 was goosed up to 300 horsepower while the two 273s were dropped. Plymouth also experimented with a 340 cubic-inch 275 hp V8 that developed 340 ft-lb of torque at 3200 rpm.
With a convertible, fastback, and a hardtop coupe in its stable, the 1969 began to mark its turf with a new 390 hp 440+6 V8 which developed 480 ft-lb of torque at 2300 rpm in addition to it 330 hp 383 cubic-inch V8 and 275 hp 340 cubic-inch V8. The 383’s quarter mile time was 15.5 seconds at 92 mph while the 440 did it in 14.01 seconds at 104 mph.
A redesign for the 1970 Barracuda included the shorter and wider E-body platform which was also used in the Dodge Challenger. The performance models were formally named ‘Cudas and were armed with the 340, 383, 440, 440+6, and the enigmatic Hemi engines.
Government emissions standards were the big news for the ’71 ‘Cudas, whose new dual headlamps and other cosmetic changes could not mask the horsepower downgrades some of their V8s were forced to undergo. Rather than watch its beloved Hemi endure the same fate, Plymouth decided to make 1971 the last year for Hemi-powered models.
With unacceptable emissions levels as the reason, in 1972 Plymouth retired the Hemi and the 383 engines. Due to lack of sales, the convertible was also eliminated. The hobbled 318 V8 produced only 150 horsepower and the 340 V8, restrained at 240 horsepower essentially denied the ‘Cuda a long reign as the first and the best of the pony cars.
In 1973, the only remaining entry-level Barracuda was the Hardtop Coupe which came standard with the 150 hp 318 cubic-inch V8 and an optional 340 cubic-inch V8. The performance ‘Cuda came standard with that 240 cubic-inch V8. As a mid-year refresh, a 360 cubic-inch V8 was inserted as standard, with no improvement in horsepower.
1974 saw the last of the Barracudas, with the remaining two V8 engines, the 318 and the 360 cubic-inch. The Barracuda’s reign as a performance contender was over. Regardless of its anticlimactic finale, the devotion that is shown by its present-day fans reflects the admirable heights in performance and design that the Plymouth Barracuda had achieved.