The fine 60's muscle car featured in this article is the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 340-S. This is a true muscle car from the late 1960's and is representative of the muscle car competition of the era. From the mid 1960's to the end of the decade horsepower ruled. Every major automaker had a muscle car to offer.
The First Pony Car
History tells us that the first Pony Car to hit the market was an option package for the 1964 Plymouth Valiant. This package was named the Barracuda. The car came out about two weeks before the first Ford Mustang. The date was April 1, 1964, precisely sixteen days before the Mustang.
With that being said, the Ford Mustang was the vehicle receiving the press. Ford went forth with a massive advertising and PR effort for it's new Mustang and the car received attention at the World's Fair in New York. There is no question that Ford's Mustang greatly overshadowed the Plymouth Barracuda and in 1964 it was in more than just PR.
The 1968 Plymouth Barracuda
The 1968 Plymouth Barracuda was among the second generation models. Many would say that the second generation Barracuda was what should have been designed for first generation models.The second generation Plymouth Barracuda was available in fastback, notchback and convertible styles.
The Plymouth Barracuda was designed by John Samsen who also did design work for the first Ford Thunderbirds. 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 was no doubt the best choice for what would become a true muscle car with terrific popularity.
Plymouth Barracudas were produced from the 1964 model year through 1974. The Barracuda Formula S was available since 1965. Plymouth designers took it easy on ornamentation. There was no excess ornamentation with an inverted trapezoid grille showing deep set vertical bars and stainless steel.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Specifications
As mentioned above, the 1968 Formula S as built with either a Commando 340 or the 383 cubic inch engine. The 340 was rated at 275 HP and the 383 cubic inch at 300 HP.
The car’s speedometer had a top speed indicator of 150 MPH. The 1968 model year also saw a 426 Hemi package put into only about 50 Barracudas.
Gearbox on this car is a four speed manual.
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.
You may want to check out the additional Muscle Car Journal articles found on the links below...
The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440
A Red Hot 1953 Studebaker Street Rod
Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Collector Car
Every muscle car from the late 1960's has good collector appeal. One has to remember that 1968 was a few years prior to the mandated federal emission and safety standards regulations.
The name of the game in 1968 was horsepower. It's been said that "Ask a car enthusiast to name a Pony Car and you'll likely hear the name, Mustang. Ask a Mopar guy and you'll hear all about the Plymouth Barracuda".
These are popular cars to this day. It doesn't matter what type of muscle car you may be looking for but the 68 Barracuda Formula S will please just about any muscle car enthusiast.
We are seeing fully restored show quality 68 Formula S models with current asking prices north of $50,000. Depending on condition and mileage you'll find Barracudas priced from the teens on up. The Formula S models will be on the high end with fully restored examples in the $35,000 to $40,000 plus range in general.The convertible and fastback models will be in greater demand.
(Photos and article copyright Muscle Car Journal)
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| 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S |
History tells us that the first Pony Car to hit the market was an option package for the 1964 Plymouth Valiant. This package was named the Barracuda. The car came out about two weeks before the first Ford Mustang. The date was April 1, 1964, precisely sixteen days before the Mustang.
With that being said, the Ford Mustang was the vehicle receiving the press. Ford went forth with a massive advertising and PR effort for it's new Mustang and the car received attention at the World's Fair in New York. There is no question that Ford's Mustang greatly overshadowed the Plymouth Barracuda and in 1964 it was in more than just PR.
The 1968 Plymouth Barracuda
The 1968 Plymouth Barracuda was among the second generation models. Many would say that the second generation Barracuda was what should have been designed for first generation models.The second generation Plymouth Barracuda was available in fastback, notchback and convertible styles.
The Plymouth Barracuda was designed by John Samsen who also did design work for the first Ford Thunderbirds. 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 was no doubt the best choice for what would become a true muscle car with terrific popularity.
Plymouth Barracudas were produced from the 1964 model year through 1974. The Barracuda Formula S was available since 1965. Plymouth designers took it easy on ornamentation. There was no excess ornamentation with an inverted trapezoid grille showing deep set vertical bars and stainless steel.
As mentioned above, the 1968 Formula S as built with either a Commando 340 or the 383 cubic inch engine. The 340 was rated at 275 HP and the 383 cubic inch at 300 HP.
The car’s speedometer had a top speed indicator of 150 MPH. The 1968 model year also saw a 426 Hemi package put into only about 50 Barracudas.
Gearbox on this car is a four speed manual.
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.
You may want to check out the additional Muscle Car Journal articles found on the links below...
The 1970 Plymouth Road Runner 440
A Red Hot 1953 Studebaker Street Rod
Every muscle car from the late 1960's has good collector appeal. One has to remember that 1968 was a few years prior to the mandated federal emission and safety standards regulations.
The name of the game in 1968 was horsepower. It's been said that "Ask a car enthusiast to name a Pony Car and you'll likely hear the name, Mustang. Ask a Mopar guy and you'll hear all about the Plymouth Barracuda".
Ask
the average enthusiast to name a pony car and most will inevitably say
“Mustang” or “Camaro”. Ask a Mopar guy and you’ll hear the history of
the Plymouth Barracuda. - See more at:
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold/1968-Plymouth-Barracuda-Formula-S/133319#sthash.v9CbtprK.dpuf
Ask
the average enthusiast to name a pony car and most will inevitably say
“Mustang” or “Camaro”. Ask a Mopar guy and you’ll hear the history of
the Plymouth Barracuda. - See more at:
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold/1968-Plymouth-Barracuda-Formula-S/133319#sthash.v9CbtprK.dpuf
Ask
the average enthusiast to name a pony car and most will inevitably say
“Mustang” or “Camaro”. Ask a Mopar guy and you’ll hear the history of
the Plymouth Barracuda. - See more at:
http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/sold/1968-Plymouth-Barracuda-Formula-S/133319#sthash.v9CbtprK.dpuf
These are popular cars to this day. It doesn't matter what type of muscle car you may be looking for but the 68 Barracuda Formula S will please just about any muscle car enthusiast.
We are seeing fully restored show quality 68 Formula S models with current asking prices north of $50,000. Depending on condition and mileage you'll find Barracudas priced from the teens on up. The Formula S models will be on the high end with fully restored examples in the $35,000 to $40,000 plus range in general.The convertible and fastback models will be in greater demand.
(Photos and article copyright Muscle Car Journal)
