Hot Rod Histories: The Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth brand of automobiles is a unique one that came out of the United States under the Chrysler parent brand. It lasted for much of the 20th century before being quietly discontinued and rebranded in 2001. But here at Customs and Hot Rods of Andice, we'll always have a special place for this brand on our shop floor. In fact, right now we have this gorgeous '32 two-door Plymouth that's waiting for some serious engine upgrades and a model that is and will be a highly prized custom classic car. But while this '32 is a great example of the classic cars we restore, one of the reasons why we love the Plymouth brand is due to its history of hot rods... particularly that of the Baracuda.
The Baracuda was the very first pony car to be manufactured and released in the United States, first sold in 1964 just a few weeks before the Ford Mustang. Sure, the Mustang would eventually eclipse the Baracuda in popularity but that does not discount the impressiveness of this muscle car. Just take a look at the following quick history of the three major generations of the Plymouth Baracuda and see if this won't be the model you seek for your next hot rod restoration project:
Hot Rod Histories: A Quick Look at the Three Generations of the Plymouth Baracuda
The First Generation 1964-1966
The first generation of Barracudas were originally called the Valiant Barracudas after the Chrysler Valiant, a full-size sedan mostly sold in Australia. However, there were some serious body panel modifications to this version, including a massive bubble-style back window. In the engine compartment was a 170 cubic inch slant 6 inch that generated 145 horsepower.
The Second Generation 1967-1969
Engineers saw the new trends of pony cars and really took the Plymouth Baracuda to new hot rod heights in its second generation. For the first of that generation's turn, the model received a fully redesigned body boasting a bigger wheelbase, better suspension, and wider tires. Car buyers could choose a fastback, notchback, or convertible body and enjoy some more serious engine power beneath the hood -- with the standard engine being a 383 V8 that produced 440 horsepower.
The Third Generation 1970-1974
A new generation for a new decade. This third and final generation of Baracuda was changed to an all-new E platform, the platform shared by the Challenger. There were also some major engine offerings throughout these years, with probably the most sought after version being the 1970 and 1971 Barracudas offered with the 426 Hemi, a beast of an engine that churned out 425 horsepower and offered unparalleled handling capabilities.
Have a Baracuda or Other Plymouth Model in Need of Work? Contact CHRA
If you have a classic car or hot rod in need of some restoration work, whether in terms of metalwork or engine replacement, our team at CHRA is here for you. Contact our team today to learn more and to schedule a visit to meet our team!