Author Topic: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"  (Read 13802 times)

Offline marc70challenger

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65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« on: October 10, 2016 - 11:31:50 PM »
A few weeks ago we followed around Hot Rod Magazine's Drag Week (as spectators).   If you're not familiar with it:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nyj_hyd-DMs   Also, 1320Video does daily recaps:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkekz7OLX4Q4e8wNwa96ikr1dGP5nR2A9

It's amazing and an absolute trip watching 8-second cars ride through small towns pulling trailers.  :roflsmiley:   Years ago I had done some racing .... and watching this .... well ....

So there were two options:  start with a street car and turn it into a street/strip or visa-versa.  Well - the car we found made that decision easy.  Was really wanting to stick with a Mopar and something "different". 

The previous owner and builder did a great job - but its a bit dated.  And set up just for the strip.  We need to make it "streetable" for the 250 mile daily journeys -but also keep it around an 11 second (10.5-11 would be best) car for the Street Eliminator category.  Not really that difficult, but need to keep it on budget and want to do as much work myself as possible keeping it NA.

The "bones" are good - body (the paint job is 20 years old .. amazing actually), motor and trans (360/A727).  The main components appear/seem good:  brake system, front end, all NHRA safety stuff (except harness out of date),Cheetah shifter, pumps, fans, line lock, etc.  Of course, any of these could need replacement or upgrading.

"Small" list of first things:  bigger fuel cell, re-wire for Speedwire System with relays (and to enable future options: NOS, trans brake, etc.), alternator, blinker/indicator install, new set of seats, clean up headers (or replace), check lash (valve train looks and sounds good - hopefully we'll be able to keep long block buttoned up), street shoes & rims, new strip tires, etc .. then probably to: a fuel injection system, CalTrac system, new torque converter  (5200 stall I was told), etc.   We could opt for Gear Vendor and keep rear-end gears and TC ... we'll see.  And of course, all the minutia that comes with such endeavors.

Have some stuff on the way ... will take pics as we go along.  On the car's history - when previous owner got it in mid-90's they spent couple years just on body ... VIN says it is a Barracuda.  About all I know.

Here's some pics :burnout:

Having trouble with pic orientation ... will try to fix.









« Last Edit: October 10, 2016 - 11:56:01 PM by marc70challenger »
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0




Offline 70chall440

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2016 - 11:43:39 PM »
I have never been a big fan of the gen 1 Barracuda's, but I have to say that is a pretty color car.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2016 - 11:46:15 PM »
I have never been a big fan of the gen 1 Barracuda's, but I have to say that is a pretty color car.

I never was either.  It was about an hour away ... and I figured I had nothing to do so might as well go see it.  I figured it would be rusted .. and too orange ... :lol: ... I was really surprised when I saw it in person ... and it just said - "I'm the one" ... haha!

I'll be moving it into garage next day or so - I'll try get quick video as well.  :thumbsup:
« Last Edit: October 10, 2016 - 11:50:35 PM by marc70challenger »
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2016 - 11:57:19 PM »
Hopefully you got a good deal on it, a lot of "go fast" parts on it from the pics.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2016 - 12:22:45 AM »
Hopefully you got a good deal on it, a lot of "go fast" parts on it from the pics.

I think it was a good deal.  But then I handed over the cash ... :lol:

Looking at total budget of what wanted for final product - this should bring it in well below. 
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline brads70

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2016 - 08:21:09 AM »
What a surprise ! I never knew drag racing was in your blood!  :2thumbs:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline dfrazz

  • 1970 Cuda - 1968 Charger
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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2016 - 09:02:12 AM »
That is sweet!

Offline brads70

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2016 - 02:19:12 PM »
I sure wished we lived closer!  :bigsmile:
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2016 - 07:57:05 PM »
What a surprise ! I never knew drag racing was in your blood!  :2thumbs:

Lived at the track late 80s/early 90s.   Then drifted away ... and wow - has it changed though.

Too bad we weren't closer - be fun over winter working on her!
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2016 - 07:57:48 PM »
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline usraptr

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2016 - 08:26:18 PM »
I'm very envious! I miss my drag racing days and wish I could get another car and start again.  :2thumbs:
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2016 - 09:15:20 PM »
I'm very envious! I miss my drag racing days and wish I could get another car and start again.  :2thumbs:

 :thumbsup:
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2016 - 10:47:36 PM »
Got some goodies in the mail yesterday. 

We are pretty busy with work travel until Christmas - but the goal is to get new fuel cell installed, battery needs to be moved a bit (bigger fuel cell) and new case installed, trunk (good condition - but will need some relocation holes filled, sealing and re-painting), wiring (Speedwire is next order) to include signal install, fuel gauge,  and the interior floor done (old carpet needs replacement and with fabricated trans tunnel - nothing stock fits of course) before we get her to the shop for rear-end gear and some fabrication on engine plate I need for alternator install. 

Of course, regular service list as well: oil/filter, fuel filter change since pulling cell anyway ... trans fluid looks real good so may leave that and wait to change in Spring before some testing runs .. need to check rear-end fluid, etc.

(PS  Those headers are for another project ... the dining room has turned into a car parts storage facility .... need to get moving in the garage ..:lol:)

« Last Edit: October 13, 2016 - 10:49:28 PM by marc70challenger »
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0

Offline onebadfish

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2016 - 11:54:01 PM »
I just love that car! First time I have seen a first gen set up like that - WAY COOL! I want a drag car too.....

Offline marc70challenger

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Re: 65 Barracuda - Strip to Street/Strip "The Pumpkin"
« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2016 - 12:05:01 AM »
I just love that car! First time I have seen a first gen set up like that - WAY COOL! I want a drag car too.....

Thanks.  I never would have intentionally looked for one .. but the minute I saw her ... :faint:

I know everything now is slung low and scoops are out .. but I don't care ... lol ... I'm not after a number ... Maybe I'm becoming an old fart but the rake and scoop make me smile ...  always wanted a car like that in high school .... and as they say - its never too late to have a happy childhood .. :lol:

Got her up on lift today ... took closer look ... tight, no leaks, took care of some surface rust but not as much as I thought I would find being picky ... changed the oil, lubed her (not much needed), and the guys at the shop are welding mounting tabs on fuel cell next week.

Started mapping the wiring plan ... I haven't "studied" this hard since college ... lot of cobwebs to shake out and many things to get better, deeper understanding - but to me, that's half the fun.  This one I want to say I had good hand in building her!
1970 Challenger 340 Performance Package
1965 Barracuda - "The Pumpkin"  http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=116471.0