Project - 66 Barracuda Track Car

[mph911]

After finishing my second 911 build, The Martini 911SC, I entered a few historic race events. I had some fun on the track against some quick Shelby Mustangs and early Corvette's etc, I realised I had to act on an unfulfilled ambition to own an old school V8 track car. I drag raced an Aussie version of the Dodge Dart in the 90's, winning the Australian Nostalgia titles and have always been a Mopar tragic.
I had my eye on a car that had been advertised for some time and made an offer. i was now the proud owner of a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda.
The car has been in the country for some time, totally stock except for being converted to RHD using a dash etc from a 66 VC Valiant that despite being 4 door is the same car. It has a mild 318 and a 904 box and is in nice condition (rust free). The car was a show car over 15 years ago, however its been sitting for a few years and shows some patina (staying).
It is a very rare car in Australia and the perfect Mopar base for my new project.
The 66 Barracuda raced in the first year of Trans-am along with the Dart and raced in the Daytona 24hr and numerous races of the period. They were FIA homologated for Group 3 sports cars and were going to take on the 911's, Alfa's BMW's etc in Europe at Le man's, Spa and the like. Chrysler decided not to spend the dollars and instead concentrated on Drag Racing.
I have always loved the styling of the car and basically want to build it as if Chrysler took the Barracuda to Europe in 1966.
Im currently having a 273 built up in the USA that will run a solid roller cam , custom forged rod and custom forged pistons etc. No one has really touched a 273 since about 1967 so it will be fun to see what it can do. It should be a screamer and a lot more fun than just dropping in a big cube stroker 360.
I have a newly built, close ratio a833 4 speed box from the states and a few other little tricks.
The car is half finished and I will update as I go along. The work is being carried out by a great fabricator/mechanic friend at Evolution Custom Industries here in Sydney. I will be thinking outside the box in a traditional way
Here are some pics for now..

[LWJ]

Sweet!

[saxen]

very cool car, I love the clean and simple interior the most, raw and purpose built. so how does it do compared to the 911 you built? any engine shots?

[mph911]

Originally Posted by saxen

very cool car, I love the clean and simple interior the most, raw and purpose built. so how does it do compared to the 911 you built? any engine shots?

The engine is still getting built. It will be a much quicker in a straight line. Im hoping for over 400hp and it's similar weight to the SC. Time will tell as to how it will handle. All reports say they are pretty good. I have some firm feel 1.18 Torsion bars, QA-1 shocks and some chassis connector's for now..

[911SauCy]

Ohh baby that thing is clean, lean and mean!!!

Great car!

[71scgc]

MO'PAW'R

Carter

[Rusty914s]

Wow, that's awesome.

[ckelly78z]

Wow, that's cool, I would love to do that to an old Falcon, kinda like they did on Gas Monkey garage.

[flipper35]

I was worried when I saw 904, but with the a833 you won't have any worries about the transmission.

Sweet car. There is a guy on our west coast that has one with a 318 and runs in the 10's easy enough and that 273 is a sweet little engine. Poly heads?

[sand_man]

Oh man, this thing is sweet!!!! LOVE IT!!!!

[herr_oberst]

Two thumbs up. One of my favorite muscle cars....

[scottmandue]

There was a similar vintage Dart for sale in my area... but I dare not look at it... so many cars, so little money.

[Tobra]

I always worried about the massive rear glass. Great visibility, but irreplaceable. Can you swap it out for a lexan one? Might be a bit of an adventure getting it to fit.

Guy I got my 914 is a Mopar guy. Had a 64 with the commando 273, push button auto trans. Too bad the Mustang came out about the same time, Barracuda was a better car in almost every way.

[nynor]

i like the barracuda, but i must admit that i like the styling of the later years better. i think the 1967-69 notchback is my favorite. there is a barracuda at the shop where i take my rover, right now, and it is in good shape. not as sweet as that one. i believe it to be the same year.

[vash]

I need a parental lock on threads that makes me want things. That thing is amazing. I'm looking for the perfect 1966 car.

[mph911]

Thanks everyone, I'm having fun building it. My inspiration is coming from 60's sports cars instead of the usual muscle car style.
I was really nervous about the back window, it seams everybody that owns one is. They are everywhere . And have been stockpiled long after cars have met their maker.
The engine is LA small block. Poly heads were earlier.
It's about 60% finished. There will be lots of fabricated bits making their way onto the car soon, no chrome, all purposeful and keeping the period style.

[Tobra]

My brother has a '68 Formula S notch, 383 is too heavy for that car, he needs to get a 340, is what I tell him.

I wonder how much lighter a lexan back window would be...

[mph911]

The glass windows are a bit heavier, they were actually preferred over the Dart for drag racing because of the weight over the rear wheels. In saying that.. The homologated car had a plastic window approved. I've seen them on a few Barracuda's at the Goodwood revival.

[flipper35]

I couldn't remember when they went from poly to wedge in which series. Sounds like fun!

[pavulon]

perfect for satisfying what requirement? '66 Mustang coupes are plentiful, relatively cheap and are period correct T/A and rally racers with loads of affordable go-fast parts readily available!!

That being said, I don't know that I've seen more than one 66 Barracuda road racer...killer!!

Originally Posted by vash

I need a parental lock on threads that makes me want things. That thing is amazing. I'm looking for the perfect 1966 car.