When the Barracuda was introduced in 1964, Plymouth knew it couldn't produce a radical body style to the public just yet. So, keeping with the times, they unleashed the Barracuda with a body style that was unique yet not too drastic. While the Barracuda had similar body lines to it’s sister, the Plymouth Valiant, there were some changes that set it apart. This new Barracuda wore the Valiant badging, but would soon become much different in a matter of a few short years. Since the new Barracuda made the market just in time for the 1964 buying year, Plymouth didn’t have time to smooth up the look of the Barracuda, so they waited for the following year. When 1965 rolled around, Plymouth knew it had to make some changes. Sales had been lower than expected and the market was leaning more towards the other brands of cars such as Ford and Chevy.

The boys over at Plymouth got their heads together to make some big changes for the following year. First, they removed the Valiant badging and added the Barracuda tags, then, knowing they needed to jump into the performance side, they made the durable and rugged 225 cubic inch slant six the standard engine with upgrades possible to a V8. They also added a ‘Formula S’ package to hopefully get an even bigger splash in the high end performance pond. When sales soared for 1965, Plymouth knew it had done something right! With time to spare for 1966, Plymouth revamped the option packages for the Barracuda including the ‘Formula S’ package. With this updated option, “the 1966 Barracuda could out perform any standard Mustang” on the road (Phillips). The beginning of 1966 also marked the first year that the potent ‘Hemi engine was available in the Barracuda. Numbers were low, and strict selling kept these cars off the streets but into the racing teams hands. After sales dropped for 1966, Plymouth knew it need to completely redo the Barracuda to get rid of the ugly Valiant side of it.

The 1967 year marked a milestone for the Barracuda as a new form took shape. With a fresh new design for 1967, the Barracuda sales took off which got Plymouth thinking. A new body style required some bigger engines. So that’s exactly what they did. With the ‘Formula S’ package during 1967-1969, the engine was upgradeable to a gigantic 440 cubic inch engine that was capable of putting out around 400 horsepower. Since the Barracuda was considered an ‘A-body’ style car, which meant that it was small and lightweight, this combination prooved to be very deadly on both the street and strip. Once the Barracuda started getting bigger engines, a jump to a bigger body style was needed. This change occured in 1970 when the Barracuda now became an ‘E-body’ style car. This new body style increased sales and boosted Plymouth’s name throughout the world. Plymouth continued to expand it’s name by being able to squeeze bigger and bigger engines into what used to be such a small car. This really started catching the eye of the younger crowds. The Barracuda’s radical body style changes also helped compete against the Ford Mustang, which was rapidly becoming popular in the same ‘muscle car’ era. The Barracuda managed to survive until 1974, when, with most of the rest of the ‘muscle’ cars, died out due to the gas price surges and the sudden oil crisis. The biggest thing that has survived throughout the years is the rememberance of the powerful engines that powered these classic cars.

Not only did the Barracuda itself become a huge popularity hit, but the engines within the car became known both on and off the street and strip as deadly weapons ready to strike terror on anything that got in its way. The most popular engine that one could order in the Barracuda was the 340 cubic inch engine. “It was the best small-bore engine Chrysler ever developed... and could propel the lightweight Barracuda to [a] 14.2-second [quarter mile] on street tires” (Campisano, 58). Since this engine made its debut in 1968, those that wanted to go fast before that could choose between the 273 cubic inch engine, the 383 cubic inch engine, or the extremely potent 426 ‘Hemi engine. When sales started booming, Plymouth let its customers decied on how they wanted their engines ordered. For 1970, a one year special, the Barracuda could be ordered as a ‘Cuda with a 340 cubic inch engine and a special 6-pack carburator setup. This 6-pack setup consisted of three, 2 barrel carbs on a specially designed intake manifold that, when all 6 were opened, was as deadly as the 426 ‘Hemi for power and performance. To top off the already amazing power, Plymouth added dual side exhaust with chrome tips. This terrifying, yet powerful, setup became known as the All American Racing package, or the AAR package for the Barracuda. Only a combination like this could set the AAR ‘Cuda apart from any other car on the road.

Not only was the AAR a deadly engine combination, but when a ‘Hemi engine was dropped in the Barracuda, it became a screaming, Ford and Chevy eating machine. Putting a ‘Hemi into a 1971 Barracuda convertible was only done by a few during the times. So few, that only 13 were ever made, which makes finding one next to impossible. This just goes to show that the Barracuda, when optioned correctly, could become a very rare car.

Not only did the Barracuda come with some rare and unique engine combinations, but the paint colors also set it off from any other car produced during the era. The colors were loud and outspoken, but really caught the eye. The names of the paints set them off even more when applied to the car. Plum Crazy Purple, Panther Pink, Top Banana Yellow, and Sublime Green were just a few of the outlandish colors that Chrysler came up with for its sister company cars. The public had up and down responses to the wild colors, but since there were the standard black, white, red, and blue choices to choose from, there wasn’t much room to complain. Most parking lots looked like a gigantic rainbow of cars, with the brighter colors sticking out like a sore thumb. Seeing a bright pink car driving down the road on the other side was not an uncommon site to see when out cruising on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

While there were many possiblities to add to any kind of car, many rare and unique options were added to the Barracuda. While some Barracudas were just base models never upgraded, there were the select few that received the honor and privilage of becoming part of a rare breed. While the Barracuda had three distinct body style changes, many engine choices and combinations, and a wild variety of colors to choose from, it remains one of the most sought after muscle cars that money can buy. When one of these almost exstinct beasts is seen on the road, much respect and courtosy must be given to it, otherwise it shall open up it’s fierce reign of power and not think twice about it.