1964 Plymouth Barracuda

The Barracuda was introduced on April 1st of 1964. It was based on Chrysler's A-body platform, used the Valiant's 106-inch wheelbase and the Valiant hood, vent windows, quarter panels, doors, bumpers, A-pillar, and headlamp bezels. The trunk was new, as were some of the glass, including the rear window which was designed in collaboration between Chrysler designers and Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG).

Powertrains were the same as the Valiant's, including two versions of Chrysler's slant-6 six-cylinder engine. The base engine displaced 170 cubic-inches and had four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, and delivered 101 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. The 225 cubic-inch six had 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The most potent engine was the all-new 273 CID LA V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and 180 horsepower. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, and a four-speed manual with floor shift controls was optional. This was also the last year for push-button control of the optional TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Power brakes, power steering, heavy-duty 48-amp battery, and Sure-Grip positive traction rear axle were among the list of optional equipment.

The interior had front bucket seats and a bucket-shaped rear bench seat with a folding backrest. Plymouth block letters were located on the trunk and Barracuda-signatures were positioned on the sides of the cowl. The front fenders had a V-shaped feature line, a chrome band across the rear window base mousing a center medallion, chrome round back-up light housings, and wide rocker sill panels. The finned wheel covers had three-bar spinners with simulated exposed hub and lug-nuts.

The Plymouth Barracuda two-door Sport Hardtop was priced at $2,365 and a total of 23,443 examples were built in 1964.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2015