For 1967, Plymouth introduced a new Barracuda, with plans to take a bigger bite out of the pony car market.
Introduced on April 1, 1964, the Plymouth Barracuda actually beat the Ford Mustang to market by 17 days. Even so, it was the Mustang and not the Barracuda that quickly defined the Motor City’s hot new pony car category, selling in record numbers. (They’re called pony cars, not fish cars.) So the Plymouth division at the Chrysler Corporation took another swing at the pony car phenomenon with the second-generation ’67 Barracuda, introduced on November 25, 1966.
A collaborative effort, the new exterior was largely the work of prolific Ford and Chrysler stylist John Samsen and young John Herlitz, who eventually became Chrysler’s vice president of design. Four different proposals (more on that here) competed for the production assignment, but ultimately, the new Barracuda was based on the Valiant compact. A bundle had been spent developing a new Valiant for ’67, and there wasn’t funding for a second complete car. The Barracuda’s A-body unit-construction platform and the sheet metal from the cowl forward were shared with the Valiant.
While the original Barracuda was offered in a single glass-back body style, for ’67 there were three: a Fastback Coupe, a Convertible, and a distinctively notch-backed Hardtop Coupe (above). While it was handsome and original, the scoop-roofed Hardtop Coupe didn’t really throw a pony car vibe. But as it worked out, the fastback and notchback sold in roughly equal numbers through the ’67-’69 product cycle. In comparison, the Convertible generated far less volume, contributing around 6 percent of the three-year production total.
A 225 cubic-inch Slant 6 with 145 hp was standard, while for those who desired V8 power there were two optional 273 CID LA-series engines. The two-barrel carb version offered 185 hp, while the four-barrel version sported a Carter AFB, a hotter camshaft, a 10.5:1 compression ratio, and 235 hp. Not long into the model year, a 383 CID V8 with 280 hp joined the list. Offered only in Formula S trim, the 383 was not available with air conditioning or power steering. Even though the A-body’s front rails had been widened three inches with the ’67 redesign, the big-block V8 could barely squeeze in.
In its December 1966 issue, Car and Driver magazine declared the Barracuda fastback “unquestionably the best-looking car out of Detroit in 1967.” Now there’s an affirmation. And furthermore: “It’s a practical, well-balanced, sassy little car with exceptional roadworthiness. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.” That’s with the 273 V8. When they sampled the nose-heavy 383 version in April ’67, they found the slow, heavy, non-assisted steering to be more than a handful, reporting that the car was best suited for the drag strip.
Plymouth projected 100,000 Barracuda sales in ’67, but while the numbers were considerably better than in ’66, at 62,000 cars they didn’t come close to the original estimate. For the ’67-’69 product cycle, the total volume came to not quite 140,000 units, a fraction of what the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro were generatng. Senior management decided that the Barracuda’s handicap was its Valiant roots, and set to work on a dedicated E-Body platform for the 1970 Barracuda and its corporate sibling, the Dodge Challenger.
Mopar
Interesting hiccup there, My post volunteered itself after I wrote a single word.:) Mopar was on a design and styling tear in the mid to late 60s. I rank the ’67 fastback Cuda right up there with the ’68 Charger as one of the most visually appealing cars of all time. It didn’t hurt that they were also churning out dependable horsepower at the same time.
The Gen 2 Barracuda had the same problem as its predecessor, too much resemblance to the compact from which it was derived. Neither the Mustang nor the Camaro looked like the Falcon or Nova. Buyers preferred a sporty car rather than a less sporty reshuffling of a boring compact.
Still, it’s a mystery then the Duster who have a Valiant front end but got its own rear with a semi-fastback design was a bit hit for Plymouth in 1970. It could be interesting to wonder if Chrysler have thought of others names besides the Barracuda?
Veeeery interestik, ( in my best late Arte Johnson voice), a childhood buddy across the alley, his 1st car was a, IDK, rather then new Fiat 850, ’71 maybe, which turned out to be an awful car. after the transmission went for the 2nd time, the dealer wouldn’t repair it. They did however have a ’67 Barracuda Coupe on the lot nobody wanted. Remember, it was early 70s, and you couldn’t give a Barracuda away, I think they traded the Fiat even up. The Barracuda was nothing special, 273, 2 barrel, but had a 4 speed. I don’t remember the console, just a stick, maybe Hurst shifter. To say it was 10 times the car the Fiat was would be an understatement, and my neighbor got the better part of that deal.
The ’67 Barracuda 273 Commando engine factory advertised 235 horsepower was significantly under rated. Taction limited in the magazine tests of the day, the little 273 gave a 289 K Mustang or 327 Camaro SS all they could handle.
The ’68 Barracuda 340 S spanked ’em all…
The convertible and notchback replaced the Valiant ragtop and hardtop coupe. I wonder how those sales compared.
Just a damn pretty little car. My brother-in-law had a lemon yellow fastback, I was 14 years old and thought it was fantastic.
The 1st automobile i ever purchased was in 1982 when my 15 year old self spent 350 hard- earned dollars from shovelling snow & mowing lawns!
The car i bought that year was
one of those examples of Detroit craftsmanship! I will never forget that 1967 Plymouth Barracuda convertible that i was able to officially and legally start driving in December of 1982 !
I look back on those years of driving my ‘Cuda to high school every day with such fondness!
Thank You so much for this article, and for the memories!
The 1st automobile i ever purchased was in 1982 when my 15 year old self spent 350 hard- earned dollars from shovelling snow & mowing lawns!
The car i bought that year was
one of those examples of Detroit craftsmanship! I will never forget that 1967 Plymouth Barracuda convertible that i was able to officially and legally start driving in December of 1982 !
I look back on those years of driving my ‘Cuda to high school every day with such fondness!
Thank You so much for this article, and for the memories!