Super Rare: 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Emerges with Numbers-Matching V8

Even though the Ford Mustang is often referred to as the first pony car, the Barracuda actually debuted a couple of weeks earlier in 1964. But unlike the Mustang, the Barracuda was offered with just one V8 option on top of the standard slant-six mill. And that didn’t change until Dodge redesigned the car for 1967.

The 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block appeared in the lineup that year, joined by the legendary 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Hemi in 1968. This year also saw the base slant-six replaced with a 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) V8. In 1969, Dodge made one final move and added the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Super Commando V8.

On top of that, Plymouth redesigned both the notchback and fastback body styles into sportier-looking coupes. While not as aggressive as the third-gen model that came in 1970, the second-gen ‘Cuda was more streamlined and dropped the massive wraparound rear window of its predecessor. More importantly, Plymouth added a convertible to the lineup.

The black drop-top you’re about to see below stands as proof that the second-gen Barracuda looked both sporty and stylish. But it’s also a solid example that a classic Mopar doesn’t need a Hemi V8 to become rare.

The Barracuda is also a numbers-matching car that comes with a few factory extras, like a Decor Package interior, AM/FM radio, and front disc brakes. The shiny exterior is the result of a thorough restoration, so this ‘Cuda looks just like it did when it left the factory in late 1968.