Introduced for the 1970 model year and offered with the mighty 426 HEMI on the options list, the third-generation Plymouth Barracuda is arguably the most desirable iteration of the nameplate. But that doesn’t mean the previous generations aren’t noteworthy.
I find the first-gen Barracuda quite exotic to look at. It’s mainly because of the enormous rear window, but the two-piece front fascia is also quirky. Bring out the tar and the feathers, folks, because I’m one of those guys who would take a 1964 Barracuda over an early Ford Mustang any day of the week.
Plymouth dropped the huge window when it redesigned the pony in 1967, but it came up with a notably sportier design. The makeover also brought larger V8 engines under the hood, coupe, and convertible body styles in addition to the fastback. The drop-top version is a pretty rare gem.
Of the 139,993 second-gen Barracudas sold from 1967 through 1969, only 8,015 left the assembly line with a soft top. That’s less than 6% of the total production. Unfortunately, these second-gen drop-tops aren’t as desirable as their third-generation siblings, and most of them are still rotting away in junkyards as of 2023. YouTube’s “Winged Anglers” just discovered a 1967 variant in a Mopar yard.
1967 was the best-selling year for the second-generation convertible. Plymouth delivered 4,228 examples that year. That’s a relatively high number for a 1960s classic, but the Barracuda you see here is a bit special because it’s also equipped with the Formula S package.
The latter was initially introduced for the 1965 model year and added the Commando V8 engine, larger wheels, heavy-duty suspension, and a tachometer. By 1967, the bundle was upgraded to include unique stripes, moldings, and a dual exhaust setup. The package wasn’t particularly popular that year, though, and found its way on only 7,193 cars.
There are no specific numbers on how many were convertibles, but the 11.5% production ratio suggests fewer than 500 convertibles got it. But there’s another detail that makes this drop-top even scarcer. I’m talking about the “383 four-barrel” badges on the front fender.
The only big-block V8 available in the Barracuda at the time, the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) powerplant was exclusive to the Formula S package. And only 1,841 customers spent the premium to get the 280-horsepower lump. That’s only 25% of all Formula S production and less than 3% of the total Barracuda output for the year.
Again, there’s no official statistic to run by, but Mopar experts agree that fewer than 50 convertibles were ordered with both the Formula S bundle and the 383 V8 engine that year. If this car is a true blue 383 Formula S, we’re looking at one of the rarest second-gen Barracudas out there.
Unfortunately, the vehicle is in terrible shape. It’s missing the driveline and the wheels, the soft top has disintegrated after years of exposure to the elements, and the interior is too far gone. This classic has been sitting in this spot for decades, and I’m pretty sure it’s not worth saving. It would cost way more than its current value in restored condition.
But it’s a junkyard gem nevertheless, just like the 1966 Valiant convertible you’ll see at the 3:16-minute mark (one of only 2,507 made). The 1967 Barracuda convertible pops up at the 4:35-minute mark.