50 years of the Barracuda

[4Cruizn]

So this is the 50 year anniversary of the barracuda and I received this note from Ed at Carlisle with regards to a special barracuda display in one of the building.  He is looking for feedback . . .

I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I totally missed that this is the 50th Anniversary of the Barracuda.  To make it even more embarrassing, I own THREE of them!!!  Ok, mine are all E-Bodies (don’t hate me) but they are still Barracudas/’Cudas!!  I’ve been so busy with that Philly Show (which WE WON, by the way!!!) and the 100 Years and Dodge, 50th Anniversary of the Hemi, A12 Reunuion and from across the hall, all I hear is about the 50 Years of Mustang.

So, I want to make sure we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Barracuda but I’m not sure how to do it.  At a MINIMUM, we need to acknowledge it.  With all of the other celebrations and the fact that the Barracuda crosses 2 body styles (3 if you include modern Challengers turned ‘Cuda), I’m not sure that we can put a single, big display together.  I can tell you that all of the smaller buildings have been claimed.  We could do a big tent but as you know, we have 2 Barracuda clubs (you guys and Cuda-Challenger.com) and you’re both in different areas on the field.

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas?  Not only am I a huge Barracuda fan, I just think it would be a big mistake to overlook this milestone.  I can easily create an area in Building T just for Barracudas – perhaps the south wall (that’s the long wall opposite the pretzel vendor).  I can easily fit 12 cars on that wall (14 if we squeeze).  We could do one of each of the 11 years of production and the 12th car could be a Challenger to ‘Cuda conversion.  It might be cool for people to see all of the subtle differences among the similar years.

I’m really interested to hear your thoughts and I hope we can all work together on a cool celebration!

So let's get some feedback on this and help out Ed get a display together!  I think you should have one of each year with some convertibles in the mix.  Certainly need to throw an AAR in the mix as well! 

[anlauto]

I think along the one wall in Building "T" as suggested. Only one of every year, and one new challenger/cuda coversion would be okay.....

I know it's way to short of a notice ......But when I think early Barracuda's the colour red always comes to mind.....
I think it would look really cool if all 12 cars were painted a similar factory red colour....That would catch people's attention for sure ! Doesn't have to be red just 12 of the same colour....Think about it

I once thought it would be cool to see Building "T" filled with only TX9 Black cars...everything from the early days right up to now....a sea of black....would be cool

[4Cruizn]

Just a side note about Ed's note . . . it was sent to a member of an abody cuda site and copied to me for some input. 

[72cudamaan]

A wall of 'cudas/barracudas sounds very cool, though I'd like to see every car a different color. And maybe
all different tops ie: vinyl,modtop, gator grain and convertible. The options are endless.

[4Cruizn]

I think that is a good idea but will find it difficult for the 1970 year as with all the choices . . . I think an AAR would be important to show that history and certainly need to have a convertible in there somewhere.  I also think stock cars are important so you can see all the differences.  Plus one with a shaker hood is needed!

[Oldschool]

I think the area along the wall would be nice, but if this is to truly be an acknowledgment of all the Barracudas/Cudas, then a much larger area would be needed than the 12-14 cars Ed suggested. 

[anlauto]

I agree there's way too many options an combos to choose from.....
I think if I walked in a saw a line of Barracudas all different colours, it would take me awhile to figure out why they're there and what do they have in common

[74 challenge]

Radical but one drag racing legend car from every year? Like a hemi under glass, sox and Martin etc would be awesome to me. There will be so many other e bodies there if you want to see a stock one walk through the show field.

[Aracer]

1964 fastback 6 cyl. 4 speed in white, is my vote.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Why can't they have a Barracuda display out at the defunked dealership outside of gate 1. I don't recall anything being there last year.   

[4Cruizn]

So is there anyone that is interested in this display?   We are looking for a car from each year . . . 1970 I think should be an AAR, but open to any 70 so we can fill that year.   The goal is to show the differences between years so hopefully the cars are not very modified.   So anyone interested, please let me know and I will get you set up! 

[cudaboy340]

Why can't they have a Barracuda display out at the defunked dealership outside of gate 1. I don't recall anything being there last year.

Sorry for the delay in replying to this but this is BUSY SEASON for me!  Spring Carlisle is less than one month away 

I'll do my best to give everyone my thoughts on this and hopefully clarify a few things.  As far as the old dealership display, last year it was the Max Wedge Reunion and this year it will host the Race Hemi Reunion.  It's the perfect size for those reunions and it's pretty well locked in.  The building itself only holds 20-22 cars comfortably and I don't think anyone wants me to move all of the 'Cuda/Barracuda classes (A & E-Bodies) to that lot. 

I totally agree that the overall celebration should be bigger than 12 cars in Building T and we can do something to make it bigger but that's where I'm looking for input.  Feel free to shoot ideas to me in this thread and I'll respond. 

Applications are coming in for the Building T display but I still want to encourage everyone to apply if you're interested.  I'd like to have a pool to choose from just so I have some options.  I like to have color choices, engine choices, etc.

If we do one of every year, and they are all stock, representing all options suggested in other posts will be difficult.  If we do an AAR, that fills the 1970 slot.  That means we would still need a Shaker, a convertible and a Mod Top.  I would have to get a '71 Hemicuda convertible obviously with a Shaker and a '69 Mod Top.  I don't know if I can get a real '71 Hemicuda convertible but I'll try.  And yes, I'd like all cars in the display to be real/factory cars if possible.  I have nothing against clones but people will assume all cars in this display are correct and that's what I'd like to have...if possible.

It would be cool to get historic race cars for each year but that would be almost impossible.  I like the idea and I can definitely see getting some race cars and putting them in Building T to complement the Barracuda display.  I'll look into that.

Maybe this will grow beyond the 12 car idea and I can put some other Barracudas across from the 12 "anniversary cars".  Again, feel free to share any and all ideas here.  After all, this is YOUR show.  ALL feedback is always welcome with me.

Thanks guys!!

Ed

[anlauto]

Why not the entire "T" building dedicated to our beloved Barracuda and Cuda..."stock" cars, race cars, pro street cars, pro touring cars, project cars...you name it.....If it's a FISH...it's in, nothing else !

[hemiken]

  And you can just call Building "T" the Fish-Tank for this event

  50 Years of Mopar Fish

[ViperMan]

Well lemme grab one and I'll be there!!!