NOT MINE Not C body but Mopar 65 Barracuda
- Thread starter GOLDMYN
- Start date
That's actually kind of a rare car from what I understand. Most of the 273 engines in the Barracudas were the 2bbl low compression engines. The optional 273 Commando was usually ordered as part of the Formula S package.
I think the price is a bit optimistic for the work involved.
I think the price is a bit optimistic for the work involved.
tbm3fan
Old Man with a Hat
I did a check on this Formula S car and a grade 4 is around $7600 so this fellow, at $5500 is not far off since grade 5 cars are negotiable below grade 4 drivable.
GOLDMYN
Senior Member
I posted, thinking about yours, you need 2
I just checked Hagerty's values on a non-Formula S with the 273 Commando and I'm kind of surprised. To be honest, I haven't been following values on these cars for quite a while. This may be in the ballpark after all.
Being a 4spd added 10% and the car is pretty much all there and doesn't look like its been screwed with too much, so that is an advantage... But there's a ton of work there and there isn't much (if any) good repop sheet metal available except for some random patch panels.
tbm3fan
Old Man with a Hat
I never pay attention to Hagerty's estimates as I feel many are way out of line. That even though my insurance is with Hagerty. Sometimes I wonder if they are basing their values on what people insure their cars for. Not as though owners don't over state the value of their cars, right
10,62 made. 4874 were 4 speeds. I feel the price is a bit strong. The sad thing about those cars, like many models, you can easily put $30,000+ in a restoration and they are not worth that when you are done. It has to be a passion project.
fury fan
Old Man with a Hat
Ha! When I saw $5500 and non-Formula S with HP and 4-speed, I knew the car without even seeing a picture.
It has been for sale for at least 6 mos that I've seen.
Seller also has (had) a 64 or 65 Valiant 4door parts car for $1900. (optimistic price, there was nothing desirable about it, and was limited on the parts it could offer).
It looks like a very honest car and the body panel gaps suggest it's never been apart.
It wouldn't surprise me if the only rust is what is visible, that the underside might look like a 5yo car.
It looks like original paint, too.
I suspect if I was standing in front of it, that it would talk to me and I'd take it home. (which is why I have only looked at it from afar)
I did a spreadsheet workup of various phases to make a fun beater (used 5.2 Magnum dressed to mimic the 273HP, brakes/tires/general awakening) and it can become a $10k car pretty quickly and not look much different than it does now.
But oh how much fun that would be! (until the 9" clutch burns or the 7.25 axle breaks, that is)
But I'm stocked up on 4-speed project cars, so it would need to be about $4000 for me to jump the cliff.
OTOH, it would be nice to have a car this size in the garage for a change.
It has been for sale for at least 6 mos that I've seen.
Seller also has (had) a 64 or 65 Valiant 4door parts car for $1900. (optimistic price, there was nothing desirable about it, and was limited on the parts it could offer).
It looks like a very honest car and the body panel gaps suggest it's never been apart.
It wouldn't surprise me if the only rust is what is visible, that the underside might look like a 5yo car.
It looks like original paint, too.
I suspect if I was standing in front of it, that it would talk to me and I'd take it home. (which is why I have only looked at it from afar)
I did a spreadsheet workup of various phases to make a fun beater (used 5.2 Magnum dressed to mimic the 273HP, brakes/tires/general awakening) and it can become a $10k car pretty quickly and not look much different than it does now.
But oh how much fun that would be! (until the 9" clutch burns or the 7.25 axle breaks, that is)
But I'm stocked up on 4-speed project cars, so it would need to be about $4000 for me to jump the cliff.
OTOH, it would be nice to have a car this size in the garage for a change.
It is much easier to deal with a car that size on many levels.
And!! They are a ball to drive. The 273 Commando is a pretty good motor for these cars. Most likely that has a 3.23 Sure-Grip and that makes the rear a lot stronger as it's the spider gears in the open 7 1/4 rear that go bad. The Commandos used a 10 1/2" clutch.
The downside is the engine compartment was designed for a slant six, so it's a little narrow. Tough to change a starter, but one of those new starters works out a ton better.
I actually wanted a slant six version, as I love the slants. This one popped up and being rust free it called to me.
That actually used to be my car. Sold it in 2013. Owned it since the 70's. I had 15x8 Keystone wheels on the back that were some special ordered offset for a Corvette that were never picked up at the local speed shop, so I got them for cost. Had an L60-15 (shows how long ago that was) and then went to a 275/60-15 when radials became popular.
The present owner is a good friend and I can't remember if he has new wheels on it or not. But the combo is basically the same.
It is an A12 car, but he couldn't lift the hood, so he has a repop hood with hinges.
Picture taken at the same place (Syracuse Nationals) but different years.
fury fan
Old Man with a Hat
Commandos have a 10.5 clutch! Did not know that.
Not that it's a game-changer for me on this car, but whether to get a HD 9" clutch or swap to 10.5" was a big road-fork in my spreadsheet for this car.
For getting it running as-is with a 5.2 vs future desires for more fun.
Interesting on the SG 7.25 lasting a bit longer than an open one. I'm not a big abuser, but I figured 300hp thru it would eventually break it.
Both help the attractiveness of the car, but my obstacles still exist.
I have a friend that built a '66 Valiant with a hot 340/4 speed years ago. That car was actually kind of rare in that it was a 273 Commando 4speed, but as a 340, it was (still is) a rocket. He beat on that car pretty good with the 273, then with the 340. The 7 1/4 with the Sure-Grip actually held up to his pounding on it, but he went to an 8 3/4 because he knew it would break eventually. But... It didn't break and believe me... He never showed that car any mercy.
That said, there is some talk that Chrysler started swapping in 8 3/4 rears in 4 speed cars under warranty.
Sorry, no. They have a 9 1/2" clutch. The aftermatket and the factory 10" A100 clutch has a scalloped pressure plate and special attaching bolts, that works on the
9 1/2" flywheel.
I stand corrected. I looked in the FSM and see that now.
dh23t
Member
Its byooteefulThat actually used to be my car. Sold it in 2013. Owned it since the 70's. I had 15x8 Keystone wheels on the back that were some special ordered offset for a Corvette that were never picked up at the local speed shop, so I got them for cost. Had an L60-15 (shows how long ago that was) and then went to a 275/60-15 when radials became popular.
The present owner is a good friend and I can't remember if he has new wheels on it or not. But the combo is basically the same.
It is an A12 car, but he couldn't lift the hood, so he has a repop hood with hinges.
Picture taken at the same place (Syracuse Nationals) but different years.
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