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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 Dan Vaughan

Sport Hardtop
Chassis number: v442696329

This Plymouth Barracuda was produced in May of 1964 and was powered by a 273 cubic-inch Commando V-8 engine mated to a factory four-speed manual transmission. It has a red exterior with a matching interior, Mopar Rallye wheels, and a Valiant badge above the rear bumper. It is one of the first standard equipment Hurst shifter muscle cars of the era. There are original California black license plates, original owner's manual and warranty booklet, a borgeson power steering, and Borla exhaust system.

by Dan Vaughan

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 was 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 Dan Vaughan