Description
The Plymouth Barracuda was introduced in 1964 as a competitor to the Ford Mustang in the pony car segment. In 1967, it underwent a major redesign and was offered in three body styles: hardtop, convertible, and fastback.
The Barracuda Fastback 340 S was one of the more performance-oriented versions, introduced in 1968. It featured a 5. 6-liter (340 cubic inch) V8 producing 275 hp, delivering impressive performance for its time. It was also lighter than the larger engine options, striking a good balance between power and handling.
The Barracuda sold new in Sweden, by a dealer of new American cars.
Over the years, some updates under the hood have naturally been made. A chrome air cleaner, Edelbrock carburetor, and Edelbrock valve covers were common upgrades in the 1970s, but the current Edelbrock carburetor was installed by Kent around the turn of the millennium. The car originally came with a Carter carburetor, which was often replaced with an Edelbrock, as in this case.
Being a 340 Formula S, the engine features special heads, and at some point, headers (extractor manifolds in Swedish or competition manifolds in British English) were installed. These headers make the entire exhaust system hang slightly lower, clearly visible when inspecting the car from a low angle. Original exhaust manifolds for the 340 S are now somewhat hard to find.
Otherwise, the engine, transmission, and brakes feel as they should. The front brake calipers were replaced with refurbished units last year.
Interior condition:
A stylish interior, mostly preserved in original condition, except for new padding in the driver’s seat. Additional seat padding for the remaining seats is included, along with a new carpet set.
The headliner in great shape. The car also features a few extra gauges and a classic '70s custom steering wheel, though the original steering wheel is still included.
Exterior Condition:
Since the car wasn't professionally painted, there are some areas where the paint is peeling. Rust spots are visible in a few spots. According to previous reports, the car originally had a metallic silver paint job with a blue stripe.
The chrome is in very good condition but needs polishing. The car sits on Centerline rims with good tires. According to older documentation, this car was delivered to Director C. O. Dahlén by a GM dealer in Gävle in January 1969. The next owner, automotive paint teacher Lasse in Falköping, repainted it in a Mopar-inspired red and white scheme in 1975. A few years later, his friend Kent bought the car and repainted it black—the same paint it still has today.
Kent drove it for a couple of years before selling the Barracuda, which then remained in Västergötland, Gothenburg, and briefly in Vadstena. Many years later, Kent tracked the car down and bought back his old ride—40 years after first owning it.
The current owner took over after Kent, and they have stayed in touch throughout the years. The odometer has rolled over at least once, and according to Kent, the actual mileage is likely around 206, 370 km.
The Plymouth Barracuda sold relatively well in Sweden during the 1960s, and many of the ones still in the country today are Swedish-delivered examples.
I bought this car at an auction in Sweden. I'd never owned an American car from this iconic era in my garage before, and I wanted to give it a try.
The car has a complete set of Swedish registration documents and is insured in Poland. I have a complete file of service records and owner history.
After importing the Barracuda to Poland, the entire exhaust system was hand-made to order, modeled on the original, from stainless steel and chrome. The carburetor was adjusted, the engine oil and filters were changed.
This isn't a museum-quality example in pristine condition. This is a car that has been driven daily on the road, delighting its successive owners. It needs work to make it shine again, but you can drive it from the very first moment.
