The Legendary Plymouth Barracuda

The roar of the engine, mimicking the rumbling sound of thunder and a vibration felt deep down to your core, the sleek body styles, candy for the eyes, classic and primal.

When a muscle car cruises by, everyone stops and stares, jaws drop and mouths water. Their appeal is undeniable. A beautifully restored classic is more than a work of art, it's an icon for days gone by of freedom, power and true American culture.

You don't simply watch a restored classic, you want to get inside, look around at the details, the very soul of the car is revealed, and somehow by proxy our own soul is exposed through the emotions revealed. We relate to our world this way and it's no wonder people are so captivated by these cars, for it is the key to unlocking a deeper part of our own beauty and brawn.

Plymouth pioneered the pony car with its April 1964 release of the Barracuda. Built from 1964 to 1974, there were three generations of Barracuda. Originally based off of the body style of the Valiant, the Barracuda sold 23,443 cars it's first year on the market. The 1964 you could find a Plymouth Barracuda for sale for $2,512.

The first generation ran from 1964 to 1966 and offered the fastback and coupe models. The 1964 model was the last vehicle equipped with the push button automatic transmission. Due to the introduction of the Slant 6 and the LA V8 engines Chrysler, Plymouth's parent company revolutionized power beneath the hood. The engine design provided a higher cubic displacement versus horsepower which gave the engine substantially more power. The Slant 6 altered the engine by slanting the cylinders at a 30 degree angle allowing for bigger manifolds which provided more cylinder distribution of fuel and air intake. The LA V8 was a lighter engine and the most powerful option for the 1964 model. It gave the vehicle 180 horsepower with it's double barrel carburetor design.

In 1965, Chrysler introduced the Barracuda Formula S. The Formula S offered a new power option with it's new Commando V8 quad barrel carburetor. This increased horsepower to an incredible 235. Other upgrades included larger tires, tachometer, upgraded suspension, air conditioning and disk brakes. The 1966 model revamped the look and style. The center console was introduced for this year's model.

The second generation ran on the production line from 1967 to 1969. Consumers looking to purchase the second generation of Plymouth Barracuda for sale had the options of two door fastback coupe, notch-back coupe and finally a convertible model. The convertible model appealed greatly to the younger generation, flocking them into showrooms all over. With it's sleek sporty design and sexy attributes, it was a sure hit. The second generations also sparked a whole new following with it's legendary Hemi engine. A mere fifty cars were released with a 426 cubic inch engine made specifically for stock racing. This took horsepower from previous levels of 235 to an amazing 425. Talk about power!! These had to be marked to note that they were not permitted on the street. The Formula S was given a power boost as well with its new 440 Super Commando V8 engine.

The third generation, which ran the assembly line from 1970 to 1974, offered the two door convertible and the notchback coupe. This generation veered completely away from look of the Valiant and began instead to follow the Dodge Challenger. The fastback option was no longer available. Some say that the 1970 version was the most influential of all of the Barracudas. There were three versions introduced, the base model, a sport, and finally a luxury class. New options for Plymouth Barracuda for sale was a variety of bright eye catching colors, making this line stand out ahead of others on the market.

Completely restored Cudas can go for several hundred thousand dollars for today's collectors. The power and feel of these incredible classics are a dream to own and drive. Owners don't even think about the money, they are too busy yearning to get their hands on a perfectly restored, sexy Barracuda.

You may find an great deal on your Cuda,

see a complete listing - Find Your Plymouth Barracuda for Sale here

The Barracuda and the Dodge Challenger were produced as twins during their prime in 1970 and 1971. In 2008, Dodge began production on a new Challenger, using the same body style from the third generation in which it was most known. This reinvention of a classic has brought even more Barracuda enthusiast out of hiding and is sparking a whole new generation of followers.

The days of the Barracuda are not gone. Many car shows all over the country offer custom versions of the legend reborn. The Barracuda is here to stay, and the millions of people collecting, restoring, buying and selling them are what keep them alive years after their production models ceased to produce new models. The child like exuberance of the collectors and mechanics alike, are the very soul of this car!

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