Model of the 1965 Plymouth Barracuda Gold by Oxford at 1:87 scale.

The Plymouth Barracuda, a marque manufactured by Plymouth (Chrysler) between 1964 and 1974. Oxford has tooled up the model which represents the first generation of the Barracuda from 1964-1966.

The Barracuda was part of Ford’s plan to introduce a new sporty compact car into this emerging and lucrative market, designed by Elwood Engel and Milt Antonick.  It shared the hybrid design approach as rival Ford’s Mustang but sadly, given Chrysler’s previous image of car manufacture, the Barracuda seemed to be in the shadow of the Mustang even though it had been launched ahead of the Mustang by a few weeks. Even its promotional material promoted it as a car for people of all ages and interests against the Mustang’s contrasting racy blurb.

The Plymouth Barracuda was classed as a pony car with the 1964 model being unveiled on the Chrysler A-body as a two-door hardtop fastback coupé. Apart from the distinctive wraparound rear window, many of the parts and bodywork were shared with stable-mate,  the Plymouth Valiant, namely the 106in wheelbase and the Valiant bonnet,  headlamp bezels, windscreen, vent windows, quarter panels, doors , A-pillar format and bumpers. The powertrain was also inherited from its predecessor including two versions of the Chrysler slant-6 six-cylinder engine.  The standard-equipment engine had a displacement of 170 cu in (2.8L) and an output of 101 bhp. The 225 cu in (3.7L) option raised the power output to 145 bhp.

By 1965 the 225 slant-6 had become the basic engine for the US market and new options were introduced for the Barracuda as competition intensified from its rivals.  The highest power option was Chrysler’s new 273 cu in (4.5L) LA V8 engine, which with other upgrades increased the engine’s output to 235 bhp.  The Barracuda sold for a basic price of US$2.512, translated into $25,000 today. 

With all this information, we turn to the detail of our newly tooled Barracuda.  The physical features of the original have been faithfully replicated and its sleek lines are highlighted by its bold gold colour scheme with sporty wide black banding up the back of the car and along the roof. Trim is finished in contrasting chrome to window and radiator surrounds, wheel hubs and bumpers. Registered in California as AVN 680, our Barracuda sports a completely black interior and whitewall tyres.

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