Featured here is a fine looking 1969 Plymouth Barracuda.
The Plymouth Barracuda was produced from 1964 to 1974. The first generation models ran from 1964 to 1966. The second generation ran from 1967 through 1969. It was with the 1969 model that Plymouth went all in with enhanced performance to seriously compete in the muscle car market.
For 1969 three models of the Barracuda were available. This was a 2 door Convertible, a 2 door Fastback and a 2 door Hardtop Coupe.
The Plymouth Barracuda
The 1964 Barracuda was based on the Plymouth Valiant platform. It was referred to as the Valiant Barracuda and was not a powerful muscle car. The 64 Barracuda engines were two slant sixes and a 273 cubic inch V-8. It would be 1965 that the Plymouth Barracuda would offer an optional Formula S package but it’s performance was not what you might consider muscle.
The Plymouth Barracuda was actually the first Pony Car coming on the market. The Barracuda came out about two weeks before Ford’s Mustang. That 1964 Barracuda (1964) was actually an option package for the Plymouth Valiant model. Three years later in 1967 the Barracuda model didn’t look anything like the Valiant.The only similarities would be mechanical, not in styling. Even that connection would disappear with the introduction of the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.
The Plymouth Barracuda was designed by John Samsen who also did design work for the first Ford Thunderbirds. Samsen is known throughout the world for his realistic automobile paintings as well as his contributions to the design of many automobiles that are now real classics. It was also Samsen who chose the word “Barracuda” for this new Plymouth line. The Barracuda name prevailed over management’s suggestion of “Panda”. Barracuda (not Panda) was probably a good choice for what would become a true muscle car.
The “Cuda” Package and the Formula S