Beschreibung
West Coast Classics are proud to present a very rare example of this original survivor and beautifully well kept and garaged and cherished by only two southern California owners since new and always completely rust free 1966 Plymouth Barracuda Formula 'S' Fastback 2 Door Hardtop with the highly desirable 273/ 235HP 4 BBL V8 'Commando' engine with 71K original miles matched to it's original very desirable and original 4 speed manual transmission with front bucket seats and with the rear seats folding flat for extra storage and with access to the fastback trunk and with rare factory options of:
Power Steering
Power Front Disc Brakes
Factory Tachometer
Front Bucket Seats with Console
Formula 'S' package of suspension upgrades, larger wheels & tires, Formula 'S' emblems and tachometer
Backup light
Original 'Dark Green Metallic' (G code) factory color paint with original 'White Gold' vinyl interior and upgraded with power front disc brakes and a car which was obviously always garage kept with the original floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas completely solid and rust-free. There are no signs that the car has had any accidents of any kind - obviously an always cherished car since new!
The car has had one repaint in its original 'Dark Green Metallic' factory color, but it is several years old and showing its age with scratches and imperfections and which could definitely benefit from new paint. The beautiful all original 'White Gold ' vinyl bucket seat interior is also in quite exceptional condition throughout. The car has all it's original Formula 'S' logos and came factory equipped with the desirable and rare 4 speed manual transmission and center console. The dashboard, the headliner, the carpets and all the seats are all in exceptional condition with virtually no signs of wear and tear! All the chromework is also in very good condition.
The original and factory upgraded 'D' code 273/ 235HP 4 BBL (Commando) V8 engine with 10:5 to 1 compression & solid lifters and a more aggressive camshaft is extremely strong and powerful and sounds absolutely magnificent! This particular car drives exceptionally well - must be driven to be fully appreciated - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day sports car a run for it's money! The 4 speed manual transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the temperature always remains cool!
Chrysler did not reach very far when it created it's sporty Barracuda in the spring of 1964, the new model was basically a Plymouth Valiant from the roofline down and pure Valiant in power and suspension but it had it's own grille, fastback roof and massive wraparound backlight and rear window with rear end sheet metal with a stubby trunklid which opened to reveal a flipdown rear seatback and security panel that opened up the trunk area which was perfect for carrying long items like California surfboards! But these changes were not to prove enough to emulate the wholesale personality change that Ford achieved when it rebodied the Falcon as the wildly successful Mustang. The Mustang was to overwhelm the Barracuda in sales and to add insult to injury the scenario was repeated when Chevrolet reskinned the Chevy II as the also highly successful Camaro in 1967! The Barracuda may have well been more functional than both these Pony cars but it was not to prove as attractive or popular to the masses.
The first Barracudas were built with a 106 inch wheelbase and came standard with the 225 c. i. six cylinder engine with the 273/ 180HP V8 being optional. But it was no match for the Mustang with it's trio of V8's including the 271HP HiPo 289. Chrylser was to fight back though in 1965 with the 4 barrel Commando 273 with a hotter camshaft and Carter carburetion which bumped HP to 235HP with the sport package Formula S which included the Commando 273; a tachometer, heavy duty shocks, springs and sway bar with Goodyear Blue streak tires on wide rim 14" wheels which replaced the usual 13". Front disc brakes were optional and circular 'Formula S' medallions on the fenders identified the package.
This is a rare opportunity to own a great daily driving and never abused example of this desirable and rare 'Formula S' package and it is an obviously always garaged and rust free example in beautiful condition throughout! This very rare and highly desirable and collectible unabused example is one of the outstanding 'Mopar' designs of the sixties, a true milestone muscle car (1965-66 Formula S) with the 273/ 235HP V8 engine and a 4 speed transmission and most certainly one sure-fire investment that's bound to only appreciate over the years for any discerning classic American sixties muscle car collector or simply any muscle car enthusiast!
