1964-1966

1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula SThe original Plymouth Barracuda was built on Chrysler's A-body chassis, which was also common to several other vehicles manufactured by Chrysler, including the Dodge Dart. The 1964 model was offered as a model in the Valiant line and carried Valiant insignia. The Barracuda was one of the first pony cars, which were designed to appeal to the youth market. It preceded the Ford Mustang (which in turn was based on the Ford Falcon) to market by two weeks. Plymouth's executives initially wanted to call the car the 'Panda' but the designers complained and John Samsen's idea of 'Barracuda' was chosen. The first generation Barracuda's distinctive feature was its enormous fastback wrap-around rear window, the largest piece of automotive glass ever installed at that time (14.4 square feet). Powertrains were identical to the Valiant's, including two versions of Chrysler's legendary inline "slant 6" — a 170 in³ (2.8 L), 101 hp (75 kW) version and an optional 225 in³ (3.7 L), 145 hp (108 kW) version offered. A two-barrel carbureted 180 hp (134 kW) 273 in³ (4.5 L) V8 was the top engine option for 1964, so performance at first was modest. The 170 in³ six was later eliminated leaving the 225 in³ 145 hp version as the smallest engine option. The Barracuda sold for a base price of US$2,512, and unlike any other year, all 1964 Barracudas with automatic transmissions had push button shifters on their dashboards. The 1965 model year saw the introduction of two important options; the 273 in³ (4.5 L) Commando, a 235 hp (175 kW) four-barrel carbureted V8, and the Formula 'S' package, a performance package that included the Commando V8, upgraded suspension, wheels, and tires, and a standard tachometer.

1967-1969

In 1967 the Barracuda remained an A-body car, but was fully redesigned. To complement the fastback model, the vehicle now offered coupé (aka 'notchback') and convertible options. This second generation Barracuda would last for three years, from 1967 through 1969. An interesting way to visually distinguish all 3 years were the side markers: the 1967 Barracuda had no side markers at all, the 1968 model had small circular lighted ones and the 1969 model had much larger rectangular reflectors (nonlighted). As the pony car class became established and competition increased, Plymouth began to revise the Barracuda's engine options, which came to resemble those of the larger Plymouth Road Runner more than the Valiant's. While the 225 in³ Slant Six was still the base engine, the engine options ranged from the two-barrel carbureted 180 hp (134 kW) 273 in³ (4.5 L) Commando, to a 235 hp (175 kW) four-barrel carbureted V8 and though rare, the optionally available 383 in³ (6.2 L) B engine in 1967. In 1968 the 318 in³ 2bbl engine was the smallest V8 available (replacing the 273 in³ 2bbl engine) and the 340 in³ 4bbl engine and finally the massive 440 in³ (7.2 L) RB single 4-barrel carbureted in 1969 became available (M-code) straight off of the showroom floor. There was even a limited production of 50 Super-Stock, non-street legal, Hemi-powered Barracudas (and another 50 Dodge Darts) built in 1968 for use in drag racing. A handful of spinoff Savage GT's were also built, from the second generation Barracuda. 1969 was the year that Plymouth finally got serious about performance. They boosted the output of the 383 cid engine to 330 bhp, but also added power steering. Plymouth also introduced a cosmetic package built around the Formula S option, which they called the 'Cuda. The 'Cuda could be had with either the 275 bhp 340 V8 or the 383, but the market demanded even more power.

1970-1974

As 1970 rolled around, another redesign was in order for the Barracuda. The performance version was badged and advertised as the 'Cuda. It was built on a new, slightly shorter, wider version of Chrysler's existing B platform, the E-body. This new generation eliminated the fastback, but kept the two-door coupe and convertible versions. It also had a Dodge near-twin known as the Challenger; however, no sheet metal interchanged between the two cars ,and the Challenger had a slightly longer wheelbase. Both were aggressively and cleanly styled, although they were clearly influenced by the first-generation Chevrolet Camaro. The performance version of the new Barracudas was called "'Cuda" and featured six different V8s, the 318, 340, 383, 440, 440+6, and the venerable 426 Hemi. By 1974, only the 318 and 360 engines were in the 'Cudas.[1] The 440s and the Hemi cars received a special high performance suspension to help transfer the power to the road. After the switch to the E platform, which featured a larger engine bay than the previous A-body, Chrysler's famous 426 in³ (7.0 L) Hemi would now be available from the factory for the retail market. Race car drivers Swede Savage and Dan Gurney drove identical factory-sponsored AAR (All American Racers) Cudas in the 1970 Trans-Am Series, with great promise (3 poles), but little success (0 wins). The AAR Cudas were equipped with the 340 cid "six pack" (three two-barrel carburetors). With the 440-6 and 426 Hemi, the performance from these production Barracudas became legendary. The Barracuda is today among the most valuable of muscle cars sought by collectors, although the rarity of specific models and option combinations today is largely the result of low buyer interest and production at the time.