Formula S Cuda 340 Notch Notchback Coupe Numbers Matching on 2040-cars

This car has a very long story and a very well documented one. In 1969 a Vietnam veteran (name deleted) returned home from a tour in the war as a helicopter pilot (I have his contact information if needed). He received a voucher to purchase any American-made vehicle of his choosing upon safely returning home. He chose the 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S. As this vehicle was pre-paid for, he had the vehicle HIGHLY optioned to include the 340, power brakes, locking gas cap, formula S package, tinted glass and air-conditioning among some of the few. The vehicle was delivered to a Chrysler dealership outside of his duty station in Puyallup, Washington. Upon ending his active service he returned home to the East Bay of California where he drove the car as a daily driver from 1969 until 1975-1976.

My dad graduated high school in 1974. And he saw the veteran driving this barracuda back and forth from church and immediately fell in love with the car. My dad used to take my mom on dates to the parking lot of the church and attempt to coax the man into selling him the barracuda. Eventually after nagging for a while my dad was able to purchase this car in late 1975-1976. My dad registered the car in his name and then married my mom. After my brother and I were born he no longer had time for his baby and parked the car for the last time in 1984. Between the years 1984-2012 this barracuda never moved, was driven or had anything done to it other than what the elements had done by sitting outside for almost 30 years. I went back to California and moved the car and my dad to Florida. I turned the car over to a Mopar ONLY restorations specialist and allowed him to restore the car back to its original factory condition. The body, vinyl top, interior and drivetrain were restored back to a factory original condition. The process of doing so was not overly complicated as each and every piece of the car was still present and only a moderate amount of work had to be done to replace carpet, fix dents, and reupholster seats ECT. This car was completely taken apart and restored from as a rotisserie restoration from the tires to the roof, including the repainting of 5 rims (full size spare). since the restoration in 2012-2013 it has been garage kept and towel dried when washed. there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO RUST OR ROT ANYWHERE ON THIS CAR!!! the car cas PERFECT lines, gaps and seals all around.The original numbers matching 340 was removed from the car for the very first time and freshened with rings, bearings and gaskets and nothing else. the block, heads and valve covers were all painted bluewhile the car was done in the original Y4 Spanish Gold. THERE ARE EXACTLY 72665 TOTAL MILES ON THE CAR and less than 50 on the refreshed engine. the only engine components replaced were the timing chain cover (yes i got the correct one), radiator, and drivers side 340 manifold gasket.  The original numbers matching, single screw carter carb was cleaned and re-jetted and works perfect. Only three major changes were done to the vehicle outside of the original build sheet and window sticker options from when it was originally sold:

1. The ignition system was upgraded to an electronic ignition away from a points system and all of the electronic components and ECM box have been hidden to disguise the appearance of electronic but the driveability of the car has been greatly increased.

2. The differential inside the rear end was changed from a limited slip to a sure grip rear end. The housing number of the rear end itself is still a numbers matching original and the gear ratio was kept the same as the original 3.55.

 3. The air-conditioning unit had new inlet/outlet adapters added for the use of new refrigerant to charge the system. I have not yet charged the system however it was pressure tested and will hold a charge so I believe it will work fine upon charging.

Every other portion of this vehicle was restored back to its factory original condition to include the red top battery, full interior, dash, decklid, gauges and vinyl top. I have a massive level of documentation and photographic proof of this cars entire life from the original build sheet which is in near mint condition and is 100% not reproduced in any way, the window sticker attached to the vehicle from its delivery in 1969, the original California  “pink slip” title (I currently have a clean Florida title for transfer), owner’s manual, 1969 plymouth sales brochure, hand signed bill of sale from the original owner in the 70's, California custom blue plate (340 S) last registered in 1984 as well as every single receipt for all of the new products purchased to restore the car.

So you might want to ask why am I selling this car? Well that is also a very complicated question that I can explain to a very serious buyer as it is a personal subject that I don’t wish to disclose publicly as of yet.

Now for the bad news, this car is not 100% complete yet and requires a very minor amount of finishing to be completely perfect and I will disclose as much as I possibly can.

·       Because the car sat for so long the fan switch under the dash went bad and only works on high and it will likely need to be replaced. ($65)

·       The dash bezel above the optional locking glove box has had the paint wear away. The Formula S black version is not reproduced and does not show up in the catalog so it will likely need to be cleaned and repainted. It is not damaged other than the factory original paint is sun baked off and missing in spots.

·       In order to be show quality perfect; the bumpers, bumperettes, Black Formula S tail panel, door handles, emblems, mirrors, plastic taillight bezels and plastic reverse light housings would probably need to be replaced in order to LOOK totally perfect, as they are pitted from being outside for almost 30 years. I have another set of taillight bezels to go with the car that are better than the originals on the car but they are not perfect either. I priced it all out thru classic industries and laysons and the whole thing is less than $1300.

·       The windshield washer fluid pump and reservoir are gone and need to be replaced. ($90)

·       The rear 6x9 speakers are gone and the center dash speaker is blown. ( I still have it for size fitting, but it is old and wasted)

·       There are no exhaust tips currently attached to the exhaust pipes as I could not get a set before I paid for the exhaust system. ($150)

·       The original fender tag has a few small rot holes that have rusted through however using it, the build sheet which is in as mint of a condition as I HAVE EVER  SEEN and the original window sticker, a matched reproduction can easily be obtained. The antenna is missing as well. 

All of the things on the car that are not complete are 100% cosmetic in nature and very minor as compared to the overall condition and restoration of this car. I have almost 150 +/-  photographs of this vehicle at every stage of the restoration and a very large volume of original documentation to prove that I am the”3^rd” (my dad is the true 2^nd owner and I got it from him) owner ever since this vehicle was created in Hamtrack, Michigan. I would personally consider this car to be in the upper to mid 95% range of being a flawless and totally complete numbers matching, perfect show car and needs only very minor cosmetic and detail items to be Carlisle ready. The person who did the restoration has won several different awards for his top-notch work of Mopar restorations from Don Garlits to Carlisle and you can feel free to look him up if you like (just ask).

I welcome any and all questions and I am willing to negotiate (to a certain degree) on the price (Hagerty insurance had it between $32- $35K in MINT condition, which it is not….BUT DOCUMENTED TO BE DAMN CLOSE.

The ONLY and I do mean ONLY vehicle trade I would potentially be considering is a 1968 Dodge Charger (MAYBE a 1969 but 66-67 and 1970-up will not considered) with a potential cash kicker going to or from me/you depending on condition and location. Email me for a phone number and we can talk about it if you are serious. But realize that I do not need to sell this car and this is personal issue for me to consider.