1969 Barracuda  |
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1968 Plymouth Barracuda Super Stock news, pictures, and information | ||
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Yes, we do consider these factory production vehicles as they were several built (enough to be considered production) and, unlike misguided popular belief, yes, they were actually available for purchase by absolutely anyone from any Plymouth dealer in North America.
For many years, dropping the Hemi engine into the Barracuda was a popular way to gain dominance at the dragstip. Chrysler, wîth the help of Hurst, sought to duplicate the efforts from the factory. Chrysler would built the Barracudas and ship them to Hurst for the final conversion.
The race prepped Hemi was highly underrated and actually produced well over 600 horsepower. The hood and fenders were fiberglass. The front bumper and doors were light-gauge steel. Getting the 426 Hemi into the engine back took some modifications. The battery was moved to the trunk. Both the right shift linkages for the four speeds, and special rear-axle assemblies from Hurst had to be specially made.
The cars came wîth street tires and a shallow oil pan off the trailer. The only modifications most racers did were the installation of slicks and a deeper oil pan. The SS Hemi Barracudas were delivered in early May so they would be ready to qualify for the NHRA Spring Nationals.
R.D. McLaughlin, Chrysler-Plymouth general sales manager, outlined for dealers and racers what they could order. Here is the letter:
February 20, 1968
To: All Plymouth Dealers
Subject: 1968 Hemi Barracuda Super Stock
The Chrysler-Plymouth Division offers for the 1968 models a 426 Hemi Powered Barracuda Fastback for use in supervised acceleration trials. These cars will weigh approximately 3000 pounds and have been designed to meet the 1968 specifications for the major sanctioning drag strip organization.
The Hemi-Powered Barracudas will be available through production in limited quantities in March. To order this vehicle use the Barracuda Order Form and specify Body Code BO29 and Transmission Code, either 4 Speed Manual Code 339, or Automatic Code 395.Source - Potts Auction
For many years, dropping the Hemi engine into the Barracuda was a popular way to gain dominance at the dragstip. Chrysler, wîth the help of Hurst, sought to duplicate the efforts from the factory. Chrysler would built the Barracudas and ship them to Hurst for the final conversion.
The race prepped Hemi was highly underrated and actually produced well over 600 horsepower. The hood and fenders were fiberglass. The front bumper and doors were light-gauge steel. Getting the 426 Hemi into the engine back took some modifications. The battery was moved to the trunk. Both the right shift linkages for the four speeds, and special rear-axle assemblies from Hurst had to be specially made.
The cars came wîth street tires and a shallow oil pan off the trailer. The only modifications most racers did were the installation of slicks and a deeper oil pan. The SS Hemi Barracudas were delivered in early May so they would be ready to qualify for the NHRA Spring Nationals.R.D. McLaughlin, Chrysler-Plymouth general sales manager, outlined for dealers and racers what they could order. Here is the letter:
February 20, 1968
To: All Plymouth Dealers
Subject: 1968 Hemi Barracuda Super Stock
The Chrysler-Plymouth Division offers for the 1968 models a 426 Hemi Powered Barracuda Fastback for use in supervised acceleration trials. These cars will weigh approximately 3000 pounds and have been designed to meet the 1968 specifications for the major sanctioning drag strip organization.The Hemi-Powered Barracudas will be available through production in limited quantities in March. To order this vehicle use the Barracuda Order Form and specify Body Code BO29 and Transmission Code, either 4 Speed Manual Code 339, or Automatic Code 395.Source - Potts Auction
| |  | Coupe |
The drag racing wars in the 60's continued to gain momentum as rivalries were fostered at the drag stripes.
In 1968 Hurst Performance Center in Madison Heights, Michigan made 75 specially-built cars solely for drag racing. The 1968 cars marked a major movement in Mopar history. The new powerplant helped carry these cars to victory at many major NHRA events. The Hurst Performance Research cars were tough to beat and dominated the match race circuit in the late 1960's.
This example was built by the team of Mike Dawson and Ron Macini with the help of Gratiot Auto Supply. This 426 Hemi car ran SS/AA.
 | Coupe |
One of a series of drag cars dubbed the Flintstone Flyers, the Cuda carried Koffel to many A/XS class wins, including the first place at the 1968 National Hot Rod Association Winter Nationals, U.S. Nationals, and NASCAR drag racing series.
Koffel brought some unusual credentials to the track. He holds a graduate degree in metallurgy, as well as undergrad credits in physics, qualifications that led to a full-time engineering position at Chrysler Corporation in 1968, where he worked with top Mopar racers like Pro Stock ace Bob Glidden. In 1980 he went on to open a speed shop - Koffel's Place - in Walled Lake, Michigan, and another in his home town of Huron, Ohio. Today the shops are run by his sons, Scott and Rich, while the senior Koffel provides occasional advice and oversees an extensive collection of cars and racing memorabilia.
This 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Flintstone Flyer Funny Car was restored by the sons of the original builders - Scott Koffel and Randy Tietze.
The first series of the Barracuda was produced from 1964 through 1969, distinguished by its A-body construction. From 1970 through 1974 the second series was produced using an E-body construction.
In 1964, Plymouth offered the Barracuda as an option of the Valiant model line, meaning it wore both the Valiant and Barracuda emblems. The base offering was a 225 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine that produced with 180 horsepower. An optional Commando 273 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine was available with a four-barrel carburetor, high-compression heads and revised cams. The vehicle was outfitted with a live rear axle and semi-elliptic springs. Unfortunately, the Barracuda was introduced at the same time, separated by only two weeks, as the Ford Mustang. The Mustang proved to be the more popular car outselling the Valiant Barracuda by a ratio of 8 to 1.
The interior was given a floor-shifter, vinyl semi-bucket seats, and rear seating. The rear seats folded down allowing ample space for cargo.
By 1967, Plymouth redesigned the Barracuda and added a coupe and convertible to the model line-up. To accommodate larger engines, the engine bay was enlarged. There were multiple engine offerings that ranged in configuration and horsepower ratings. The 225 cubic-inch six-cylinder was the base engine while the 383 cubic-inch 8-cylinder was the top-of-the-line producing 280 horsepower. That was impressive, especially considering the horsepower to weight ratio. Many chose the 340 cubic-inch eight-cylinder because the 383 and Hemi were reported to make the Barracuda nose-heavy while the 340 offered optimal handling.
In 1968 Plymouth offered a Super Stock 426 Hemi package. The lightweight body and race-tuned Hemi were perfect for the drag racing circuit. Glass was replaced with lexan, non-essential items were removed, and lightweight seats with aluminum brackets replaced the factory bench, and were given a sticker that indicated the car was not to be driven on public highways but for supervised acceleration trials. The result was a car that could run the quarter mile in the ten-second range.
For 1969 a limited number of 440 Barracudas were produced, giving the vehicle a zero-to-sixty time of around 5.6 seconds.
In 1970 the Barracuda were restyled but shared similarities to the 1967 through 1969 models. The Barracuda was available in convertible and hardtop configuration; the fastback was no longer offered. Sales were strong in 1970 but declined in the years that followed. The muscle car era was coming to a close due to the rising government safety and emission regulations and insurance premiums. Manufacturers were forced to detune their engines. The market segment was slowly shifting from muscle-cars to luxury automobiles. 1974 was the final year Plymouth offered the Barracuda.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
For more information and related vehicles, click hereIn 1964, Plymouth offered the Barracuda as an option of the Valiant model line, meaning it wore both the Valiant and Barracuda emblems. The base offering was a 225 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine that produced with 180 horsepower. An optional Commando 273 cubic-inch eight-cylinder engine was available with a four-barrel carburetor, high-compression heads and revised cams. The vehicle was outfitted with a live rear axle and semi-elliptic springs. Unfortunately, the Barracuda was introduced at the same time, separated by only two weeks, as the Ford Mustang. The Mustang proved to be the more popular car outselling the Valiant Barracuda by a ratio of 8 to 1.
The interior was given a floor-shifter, vinyl semi-bucket seats, and rear seating. The rear seats folded down allowing ample space for cargo.
By 1967, Plymouth redesigned the Barracuda and added a coupe and convertible to the model line-up. To accommodate larger engines, the engine bay was enlarged. There were multiple engine offerings that ranged in configuration and horsepower ratings. The 225 cubic-inch six-cylinder was the base engine while the 383 cubic-inch 8-cylinder was the top-of-the-line producing 280 horsepower. That was impressive, especially considering the horsepower to weight ratio. Many chose the 340 cubic-inch eight-cylinder because the 383 and Hemi were reported to make the Barracuda nose-heavy while the 340 offered optimal handling.
In 1968 Plymouth offered a Super Stock 426 Hemi package. The lightweight body and race-tuned Hemi were perfect for the drag racing circuit. Glass was replaced with lexan, non-essential items were removed, and lightweight seats with aluminum brackets replaced the factory bench, and were given a sticker that indicated the car was not to be driven on public highways but for supervised acceleration trials. The result was a car that could run the quarter mile in the ten-second range.
For 1969 a limited number of 440 Barracudas were produced, giving the vehicle a zero-to-sixty time of around 5.6 seconds.
In 1970 the Barracuda were restyled but shared similarities to the 1967 through 1969 models. The Barracuda was available in convertible and hardtop configuration; the fastback was no longer offered. Sales were strong in 1970 but declined in the years that followed. The muscle car era was coming to a close due to the rising government safety and emission regulations and insurance premiums. Manufacturers were forced to detune their engines. The market segment was slowly shifting from muscle-cars to luxury automobiles. 1974 was the final year Plymouth offered the Barracuda.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
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| - Gray takes Mopar Funny Car to winner's circle at rescheduled 33rd annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta - All-Mopar Funny Car final elimination with No.1 qualifier Hagan as runner-up to DSR teammate Gray - Top Mopar Pro Stock finish in eliminations by Coughlin with semifinal appearance - Mopar is second and third in NHRA points standings in both Pro Stock and Funny Car categories May 11, 2013 , Commerce, Ga. - Following last weekend's postponement of...[Read more...] | |
| MOPAR READY FOR RESCHEDULED NHRA SOUTHERN NATIONALS MAY 10-11 IN ATLANTA | |
| - Rescheduled due to rain, Mopar ready to get back on track Friday and Saturday at NHRA Southern Nationals in Atlanta - Allen Johnson accepted awards from the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Junior Achievement for his on and off-track accomplishments - Mopar is second in NHRA points standings in both Pro Stock and Funny Car categories - Capps is defending Funny Car title holder at Atlanta Dragway May 10, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - After inclement weather forced the postponement ...[Read more...] | |
| PRO STOCK DRIVER JOHNSON TO SPORT MOPAR'S ‘EXPRESS LANE' FOR 2013 NHRA SEASON | |
 | -Mopar's 'Express Lane' to debut on Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson's Dodge Avenger this weekend at NHRA Nationals in Las Vegas -More than 800 Chrysler Group dealerships provide Mopar Express Lane service for light maintenance and world-class inspection for all make and model vehicles -Express Lane provides fast and convenient service with no appointment necessary April 5, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Defending 2012 Pro Stock Champion Allen Johnson will race his Dodge Avenger through the ...[Read more...] |
| TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS AND A WIN FOR MOPAR IN NHRA FINALS | |
 | Johnson Punctuates Championship with Seventh Win of the Season; Beckman Claims Funny Car Crown with Mopar Power at NHRA Finals •Johnson caps his championship season with his first career win at the historic Pomona venue •Mopar-powered Dodge driver Jack Beckman captures NHRA Funny Car crown, gives Mopar a pair of 2012 NHRA championships •Beckman edges out follow Mopar-powered driver Ron Capps by two points in one of the closest Funny Car title fights in history •In Mopar's 75th annivers...[Read more...] |
| TEAM MOPAR DRIVER JOHNSON ON THE CUSP OF FIRST NHRA PRO STOCK CHAMPIONSHIP | |
| •Allen Johnson set to clinch first-career Pro Stock title by qualifying at Pomona •Just four points separate Jack Beckman and Ron Capps in Funny Car title fight •Jeg Coughlin Jr. in position to add to accomplishments at Pomona •Mopar-powered Matt Hagan has one more chance to win in 2012 November 6, 2012 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Team Mopar Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson was faced with a similar situation at the U.S. Nationals: qualify for the event and lock up the top spot in the N...[Read more...] | |
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