The beautiful 69 Plymouth Cuda Reminder
The phase of revolution and reformation struck the market in the form of the Plymouth Barracuda in the year 1969. The name 'Barracuda' was invented with an intention to identify a new enthusiast package for fastback and hardtop models with the 340- or 383-cid engines. But the dangerous Barracuda of all times made a ferocious entry that dominated the midyear. The Plymouth Barracuda is a 2-door coupe that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation. The first generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964-1966. Due to immense pressure and severe competition from rival big-block pony cars, Plymouth made a tie up with Hurst/Campbell to shoehorn Mopar's 375-bhp 440-cid four-barrel V-8 and assimilated them into a batch of 'Barracuda' fastbacks and coupes.
The power-steering unit under the 383 Barracuda's hood saw the light of the day after two years of rigorous thinking and brain storming by Plymouth. It finally provided one for 1969, but with arrival of the 440, the engine bay was once again too crowded to allow the steering-assist hardware. The front tyres alone consumed up to with 57 percent of the total weight of the car which was no less than a hammer blow to low-speed manoeuvrability. The second-generation Barracuda, though still Valiant-based, was heavily redesigned and revamped. The 1970-1974 E-body Barracuda, was available as a coupe and a convertible, both of which were very different from the previous models. The second-generation Barracuda, now a 108 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase A-body still sharing many parts components with the Valiant, was given a completely different look with Barracuda-specific sheet metal styling and its own range of models including convertibles as well as fastback and notchback hardtops. The new Barracuda was designed and styled chiefly by John E. Herlitz and John Samsen. It was less rectilinear as compared to the Valiant, with side contours resembling a coke-bottle and heavily revised front and rear end styling. It included a concave rear deck panel, wider wheel openings, curved side glass, and S-curved roof pillars on the notchback. The rear portion of the roof on the fastback coupe was more streamlined, and the back glass, placed at a substantially horizontal angle, and was much smaller as compared to that of the previous model. Also, the use of chrome trim on the external sheet metal was more restrained.
In 1969, Plymouth placed increased emphasis on delivering high quality performance. A new option was the Mod Top, a vinyl roof covering with a floral motif, available in 1969 and 1970. Plymouth sold it as a package with seat and door panel inserts done in the same pattern. The 1969 version of the 383 engine was upgraded to increase power output to 330 bhp (250 kW), and a new trim package called Barracuda was released. The Barracuda, based on the Formula S option, was available with either the 340, 383 and new for 1969 the 440 Super Commando V8. The Barracuda could be had with either the 275 bhp 340 V8 or the 383, but it still wasn't fast enough. Plymouth responded by stuffing and tucking in the triple carb 440 V8 under the hood, which was the largest engine available in a pony car. The use of drum brakes all around, severely affected the handling and braking of the car. Its 340 V8 engine could deliver up to 275 bhp at a torque of 5000 rpm. Whereas the 383 V8 engine gave an output of 330 bhp. The 440+ 6 V8 engine could accelerate up to 390 bhp @ 4600 rpm and 480 lb- ft at 2300 rpm. It could also cover 383/330: 1/4 mile in 15.5 seconds @ 92 mph and 383/330: 1/4 mile in 15.5 seconds @ 92 mph.
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