1973 Plymouth Barracuda Base review from North America

Heater core.

Dash has some splits in it.

Front seats are coming apart at the stitching.

Gear shifter is cracked.

2 sets of rear tires.

It was the early 1990's and my buddy's dad had the Barracuda parked outside his garage one morning. Her light blue paint was sparkling in the sun with white stripes down the side. The Rallye 2 scoop hood looking like big nostrils enjoying the cool morning air. It was at that moment that I fell in love for the first time. The engine was tuned, and when he pushed on the accelerator, the engine sang the most beautiful song you could imagine with the Holley double pumper dumping gas in each barrel like a garden hose each time she took a breath. I didn't even need a ride in her to know she was the one.

It would take the next 7 long years for the time to come for us to say I do. That day I showed up at my buddy's dad's work with a blank check in hand was one of the happiest days of my life. I said "how would you like to sell your Cuda today Dave" and he said with a smile "today would be as good a day as any" and with that said he closed for the day and we left for his place. Upon arrival I spotted her right off the bat and began making my way over, noticing as I got closer that she had aged in those 7 years, but she still had her figure. I could still see that sparkling paint in my minds eye. Once we straightened out the paper work and shook hands, I got the hell out of there because I didn't want him to change his mind on the $3,250 we agreed upon.

Oh that first set of tires was but a speck on a very short time line. My little buddy had no idea what he was in store for sitting in the back all nonchalant as we rolled into a dead end street. I just have to turn around I told him, hang on; With that said I pushed the throttle down to the floor board and proceeded to lay some killer nuts down on the cul-de-sac. When I looked in the mirror I could see his face with a huge smile from ear to ear pasted into the rear seat. Every time I see him he says "where is the powerful car?".

1966 B 383 335hp factory rating. 700 HDP with a trick kit.

727 torque Flite with stage 2 kit.

3.91 geared rear with sure grip.

Decent torque and HP for a smaller BB.

Revs good, but not a very good highway car. I'm looking at removing the tail shaft and installing a gearvendor overdrive.

Between the stop lights, I've only ever lost 2 races. #1 70 Big Block Chevelle done to the nuts, probably 600+ HP. #2 351 Saleen Mustang; I was stopped and he was rolling when the light turned green. If it were heads up, it would have been a good race.

Anyone with a gearvendor OD post a comment. Pros vs Cons. It would be nice to hear what people who have one think before I spend the better part of $4,000 to find out its not what I'm looking for.

Future projects include a full resto. I've got the car stripped now and it's ready for body and paint, then I'll rework the engine and have the tranny rebuilt. Anybody know a good place to have the dash redone?

P.S. It's going to be more like 435 HP when she comes out of my garage and resumes her luster.