1969 Plymouth BarracudaIf the real thing don't do the trick… You better make up something quick…You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn to the wick…Oooo, Barracuda, oh yeah, as...
1969 Plymouth Barracuda
If the real thing don't do the trick… You better make up something quick…You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn to the wick…Oooo, Barracuda, oh yeah, as sung by Heart in 1977. Before then Plymouth decided the Valiant needed an upgrade to compete with the muscle car madness game that nearly every manufacturer was on to at this point. Plymouth proudly gives you the Barracuda.
For consignment, a 2-owner same family car (father and son) showing some signs of wear, but absolutely a survivor with mostly original parts. Now red, this car has a neat fastback, and a huge rear curved greenhouse glass rear window. All correct badging, and consigner stated rebuilt engine with a mere 500 miles since the rebuild…check it out.
Exterior
Formerly factory silver bathed this car, but now is covered in red. Some rust bubbling can be seen on the exterior steel panels including the fenders, rockers, and doors. A coke bottle side design if you will, protruding front and rear fenders as seen from above give it this namesake. Upfront the dual cowled egg crate grille is flanked by single horizontal signal light on either side as well as round headlight., and a center mini beak. The bumper below shows some rust areas and areas where chrome has worn off. Window surround trimmings look good, and the iconic Barracuda rear taillight on either corner design has a single horizontal aluminum trim panel connection them running across the rear trunk lid. Standard star pattern wheel covers are on new thin white tires recently put on. Some invasive rust is seen on the rear of the wheel wells.
Interior
Surviving as original, we note dual high back bucket seats in black tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters surrounding. A wood appliqué center console races through these buckets, from the back which has a large bench seat stretching from side to side and enjoying the plethora of light coming in that large rear greenhouse glass. The appliqué on the console is worn somewhat on the top, and a curved big knobbed automatic shifter is in the center of this console near the dash. The dash presents as original, with faded chromed plastic mostly yellowed, and original gauges. A heavily padded dash top is seen with no cracks or creases. Faded black carpet floods the floors, and door panels show some wear, with paint scratches on the sills within the black paint. A tight headliner slightly dusty is above. Shouting out to the trunk, it has the plaid gray vinyl liner still intact, covering the interior of the trunk.
Drivetrain
The consigner states the current engine which is showing as a 318ci V8 has been overhauled and rebuilt with only 500 miles since the rebuild. A fair amount of dust has accumulated on this mill that has a 2-barrel carburetor on top, and a 904 3-speed automatic on back.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust and plenty of road dirt are noted, however unibody seems solid as do floorpans. On the rear of the car…post wheel well, is invasive rust working on the seam between the exterior and undercarriage. It appears as though a new fuel tank has been put on, and torsion bar front suspension and leaf spring suspension is on the back. Power drum brakes all around.
Drive-Ability
This car started right up and ran smoothly. It was a little creaky in the corners but handled nicely for a car of the era. It has good acceleration and a smooth high-speed cruise. We noted the radio was in operable as is the left reverse light which was dark.
A highly optioned car for the time, wood grained panels, chromed drip moldings, high trim line interior, and of course the fastback, giving it that great swooped aerodynamic look. This car shows a bit of wear, however not too much TLC will be needed to bring it back up to near perfect snuff, and she runs great! 2 owner car from new.
Fender Tag Decode
E44: 318 cid 2-barrel V8 230hp
D31: A904 3-Speed Auto Trans.
A4: Silver Metallic Exterior Color
H6X: Black Buckets, High Trim Line
X9: Unknown Interior Door Frames
806: Order number
A01: Light Package
C16: Console w/Woodgrain Panel
C55: Bucket Seats
L31: Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
N31: Optional Engine Compression Ratio
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)
V78: Accent Stripes, Deleted
END:End of Sales Codes
VIN DECODE
BH29F9B104589
B-Barracuda
H-High Price Class
29-2 Door Fastback
F-318ci V8 2bbl
9-1969
B-Hamtramck, MI Assy Plant
104589-Sequential Unit Number