European Barracuda's
I'm the owner of a '70 340 Barracuda (not 'Cuda). This car was assembled in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. They also assembled Valiants and Darts in Rotterdam.
The carbody's and parts came overseas as a "CKD" package (Completely Knokked Down), that was told by a former employee.
They made around 170 Barracuda's at the Nekaf/Simca plant in Rotterdam for Europe in 1970. All the administration/assembly info was destroyed in a fire, so we don't know exactly how many were made. After assembly in R'dam the cars (without fender tags and build sheets) were shipped to the country where they were ordered.
My car went to the AMAG-Schinznach factory for the assembly of the "special" ordered options, final inspection, and VIN tags. (no build sheets, d#mn)
The A-body 340s Barracuda's were sold like hot cakes in Switserland, They skipped the 340s package for 1970, a big problem for the soon to be introduced E-body.
I don't know how they exactly did it, but there was a special order (probably) from a dealership for a series of 340 Barracuda's.
That's when the "H" code found his place on the BH23 fender tag.
Because the car was delivered with a dual exhaust, it automatically got the 'Cuda rear valence panel.
There are 'Cuda's sold in Europe in 1970, but they were build in the U.S (Wyoming?) for Europe.
My car is #2 of the nine BH23H0 survivors spread over Europe with Swiss AMAG-tags. All the cars are really close in digits. For example; the oldest one ends with 925, my car ends with 926
They all have exactly the same options like; 727auto, 8 3/4 rearend, power brakes, power steering, power windows, reclining seats (correct english?). I found a small sticker under the carpet which was dated at 7/14/69, an early one I think?
Thats the only date I can find in the car.
I bought my car in oct 2000 with a 318 in it, the 340 has left the enginebay since '87.
When I bought the car it was in o.k shape. It just had the rusty rear-quarter problem, a few small dents, and a "quick selling" paintjob. But the overall look was okay, and they kept the original colorcombo.
In the last 9 years we replaced the vinyl roof, the enginebay resto (was flat black), bought a 360 after I blew up the 318, found 15" rally wheels and for the last two years it became a serious project. We repared 4 small rustholes in the floor, so the original floors and trunk were saved. The whole body is restored and painted in the original white color, and it got a new red interior, and a black hockeystick.
More info soon......I think..
First some pics;
