I am a moderator at a forum for Young Gun Domestic car owners, called
www.domesticdisturbance.usI just wrote an article about the Barracuda for the site, and would much appreciate it if you guys would read it through, to see if I made any mistakes. Thanks.
Barracudas (arguably, the FIRST Pony car) came out in early 1964. They were basically fastback Valiants. They remained virtually unchanged through 1966, with the base models having a Slant 6, or a 273-2v. The perfomance option was the 273-4v Commando powered Formula S. In 1967, it was completely redesigned, into the 2nd generation. The Fastback remained, but added to the lineup was the new Coupe and Convertible. The 2nd generation was the last A body generation, and stayed mostly the same through 1969, styling wize. However, engine options were a different story. In 67, you could get a base Slant 6 Barracuda, or 273-2v Barracuda. The performance option was still the Formula S package, which added dual exhaust, stiffer suspension, and better engines: the 273-4v Commando, or the big block 383-4v. In 68, the 273 Commando was replaced by the 340 HiPo. The 383 remained. However, about 100 Fastback Barracudas were sent to Hurst, to have a 426 HEMI installed. These were the Hurst SS/AA Barracudas, which were ONLY available to approved drag racers. In 69, the 440-4v was added to the Formula S lineup, as was the brand new 'Cuda performance package, which had the 340, 383, and the 440. This package included dual hoodscoops, and a stiffer suspension.
In 1970, the Barracuda stopped using the A body platform, and was built on the newly created E body platform. In 1970, the engine options were the 225 slant 6, the 318, and the 383-2v for base models. A new luxury package, called the Gran Coupe, was added, and could be had with the base model engines, plus a VERY few cars had the HiPo 383-4v. The 'Cuda had the 383-4v standard, with the 340 small block, the 440, 440-6v, and the HEMI as options. The Formula S package was dropped, as was the fastback body style. In 1971, the 'Cuda was again restyled, with 4 headlights, instead of 2, and a drastically changed grill, as well as fender "gills". The public rebelled, and sales fell from 1970. 71 had basically the same engine options as before, but the engines were slightly detuned. The 71 HEMI 'Cuda convertible is considered the Holy Grail of the Mopar world, since only 11 were made. The 1972 Barracuda returned to the 70-esque styling, with 2 headlights, and an open grill, with a center "I" piece. In 72, the 'Cuda lost the big block options, and could be ordered only with the base 318, or the optional 340. The base model Barracuda had the 225, or the 318. The Gran Coupe and Convertible models were dropped. Things remained virtually unchanged for 1973, except for some minor styling changes. In 1974, the 340 was replaced after a 6 year run, by the 360. This was the last year for the E body line, and had the least sales of any year of the E bodies.
Today, the 1970-71 'Cudas are among the most sought after muscle cars of all time, as well as one of the most expensive.
Topic: I wrote an article about Barracudas, could you guys check it for accuracy please (Read 6582 times)
