The car featured in this article is a nicely restored 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S. The Formula S package truly placed the model in late 1960's muscle car territory as well as perhaps being the first Pony Car to hit the market. Plymouth Barracudas were produced from the 1964 model year through 1974.
The person behind the design of the first Plymouth Barracuda was John Samsen. Ironically, Samsen had a hand in designing the very first two-seater Ford Thunderbird. In a way, those first two seat Thunderbirds were the catalyst for the Pony Car era of the 60's.
When it came time to name this car, Plymouth management came up with the name "Panda". This did not sit well with designers and the name "Barracuda", which came from John Samsen, won the day. Somehow the name Barracuda seems more in line with what would become a popular late 60's muscle car.
The Plymouth Barracuda Pony Car
A Pony Car was a stylish, affordable and compact automobile which history tells us came into being with the first 64 Ford Mustang. These were cars of the 60's noted for their long hoods and short decks. They were primarily marketed to the youth segment or to those who desired to drive a youthful looking automobile. A funny thing happened on the way to the Mustang Pony Car and that was the introduction of the Plymouth Barracuda. The Plymouth Barracuda actually came on the market about two weeks before the Mustang and was a Pony Car. In 1964 the Plymouth Barracuda was not it's own model but was an option package for the Plymouth Valiant.
While the first Barracuda was really an optioned Valiant, three years later in 1967 the Plymouth Barracuda looked nothing similar to the Valiant. The only similarities would have been in the mechanics. Three years after that in 1970 the connection with the Plymouth Valiant ended entirely.
The Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
The Plymouth Barracuda Formula S was an entirely different offering than the base Barracuda. The base 1964 Plymouth Valiant base Barracuda option came with a 225 cubic inch slant six engine rated at 145 HP. Buyers could also opt for a 273 cubic inch that delivered 180 HP.
The Plymouth Barracuda Formula S debuted with the 1965 model. The big news here was the introduction of the Commando V-8. This was a four barrel 273 V8 rated at 235 hp. The public seemed to approve of the Barracuda changes from the previous year since 1965 sales nearly tripled.
Our featured 1968 model was a part of the second generation Barracudas. These second generation models were available in fastback, notchback and convertible styles.
The 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S
The Formula S package for 1968 included engines of either a Commando 340 or the 383 cubic inch design. In addition to this the Formula S came with.heavy-duty suspension and wheels, heavy duty shock absorbers and E70-14 Red Streak tires. front fender badges and special hood inserts. The Barracuda Formula S was known for superior cornering and general handling.
Your 68 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S would have cost you new about $2,700 for the hardtop, about $2,900 for the fastback version and about $3,050 for the convertible.
Total 1968 Plymouth Barracuda production was 46,018 units. Out of that number there were a total of 28,775 V-8 models. Total Formula S 340′s were 3,917 units and total Formula S 383′s were 1,270 units. These production numbers are estimates only. There are some variations depending on source.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Specifications
The 68 Formula S was built with either a Commando 340 or the 383 cubic inch engine. This particular model featured has a 340. The 340 was rated at 275 HP and the 383 cubic inch at 300 HP. The 1968 Formula S also saw a 426 Hemi package put into only about 50 Barracudas.
The Formula S transmissions were an A-833 four-speed or a 727 TorqueFlite automatic.
Dimensions for the 68 Barracuda Formula S included a wheelbase of 108.0 inches, an overall length of 192.8 inches, a width of 71.6 inches and a height of 52.8 inches. Weight was 3,340 lbs.
See the additional Muscle Car Journal articles on the links below...
The 1968 Chevy Chevelle SS Turbo 489
The 1969 Ford Torino GT
Reference material and excellent books regarding the Plymouth Barracuda include…Barracuda Model Portfolio 1964-1974 by author R.M. Clarke. Also Challenger and Cuda, Mopar’s E-Body Muscle Cars by Robert Genat and Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda by author David Newhardt.
(Article and photos copyright 2015 Muscle Car Journal)
When it came time to name this car, Plymouth management came up with the name "Panda". This did not sit well with designers and the name "Barracuda", which came from John Samsen, won the day. Somehow the name Barracuda seems more in line with what would become a popular late 60's muscle car.
The Plymouth Barracuda Pony Car
A Pony Car was a stylish, affordable and compact automobile which history tells us came into being with the first 64 Ford Mustang. These were cars of the 60's noted for their long hoods and short decks. They were primarily marketed to the youth segment or to those who desired to drive a youthful looking automobile. A funny thing happened on the way to the Mustang Pony Car and that was the introduction of the Plymouth Barracuda. The Plymouth Barracuda actually came on the market about two weeks before the Mustang and was a Pony Car. In 1964 the Plymouth Barracuda was not it's own model but was an option package for the Plymouth Valiant.
While the first Barracuda was really an optioned Valiant, three years later in 1967 the Plymouth Barracuda looked nothing similar to the Valiant. The only similarities would have been in the mechanics. Three years after that in 1970 the connection with the Plymouth Valiant ended entirely.
The Plymouth Barracuda Formula S was an entirely different offering than the base Barracuda. The base 1964 Plymouth Valiant base Barracuda option came with a 225 cubic inch slant six engine rated at 145 HP. Buyers could also opt for a 273 cubic inch that delivered 180 HP.
The Plymouth Barracuda Formula S debuted with the 1965 model. The big news here was the introduction of the Commando V-8. This was a four barrel 273 V8 rated at 235 hp. The public seemed to approve of the Barracuda changes from the previous year since 1965 sales nearly tripled.
Our featured 1968 model was a part of the second generation Barracudas. These second generation models were available in fastback, notchback and convertible styles.
The Formula S package for 1968 included engines of either a Commando 340 or the 383 cubic inch design. In addition to this the Formula S came with.heavy-duty suspension and wheels, heavy duty shock absorbers and E70-14 Red Streak tires. front fender badges and special hood inserts. The Barracuda Formula S was known for superior cornering and general handling.
Your 68 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S would have cost you new about $2,700 for the hardtop, about $2,900 for the fastback version and about $3,050 for the convertible.
Total 1968 Plymouth Barracuda production was 46,018 units. Out of that number there were a total of 28,775 V-8 models. Total Formula S 340′s were 3,917 units and total Formula S 383′s were 1,270 units. These production numbers are estimates only. There are some variations depending on source.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Specifications
The 68 Formula S was built with either a Commando 340 or the 383 cubic inch engine. This particular model featured has a 340. The 340 was rated at 275 HP and the 383 cubic inch at 300 HP. The 1968 Formula S also saw a 426 Hemi package put into only about 50 Barracudas.
Dimensions for the 68 Barracuda Formula S included a wheelbase of 108.0 inches, an overall length of 192.8 inches, a width of 71.6 inches and a height of 52.8 inches. Weight was 3,340 lbs.
See the additional Muscle Car Journal articles on the links below...
The 1968 Chevy Chevelle SS Turbo 489
The 1969 Ford Torino GT
Reference material and excellent books regarding the Plymouth Barracuda include…Barracuda Model Portfolio 1964-1974 by author R.M. Clarke. Also Challenger and Cuda, Mopar’s E-Body Muscle Cars by Robert Genat and Dodge Challenger and Plymouth Barracuda by author David Newhardt.
(Article and photos copyright 2015 Muscle Car Journal)
