My '65 Formula S Data Sheet
Any inaccuracies?
1965 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Information Sheet
Engine: Commando 273ci 4.5L 4bbl V8/12-15 mpg
Length: 15 feet 8 inches (188.2”) (477.5 CM) Width: 70.1 inches
Height: 54.4 inches Wheelbase: 106 inches
Tread front 55.9 inches Tread rear 55.6 inches
Wheel turns lock-to-lock 3.5 (power steering)
Five lug 4 inch bolt pattern wheels
Fuel Tank 18 gallons and shipping weight 3,030 lbs.
California License Plate: 6JFC507
Vehicle Identification Number: V855142483
V = Valiant/Barracuda V8
8 = Barracuda
5 = Model Year 1965
5 = Los Angeles Assembly Plant
142483 = Sequential Production Number
1965 Dealer Price List:
Barracuda V8 $2,535.00
Formula S Pkg $ 258.00 (first available November 25, 1964)
Automatic $ 181.00
Power Brakes $ 42.60
Power Steering $ 82.50
3-Spoke Wheel $ 17.30
Tinted Glass $ 28.45
Racing Stripe $ 31.25
Padded Dash $ 16..35
Front/Rear Seat Belts $ 29.55
Air Conditioning $ 325.00
Basic group $ 84.45
Total $3,631.45 (excluding tax/license)
(group includes: Transaudio AM radio/antenna; w/s washer, w/variable speed wipers; outside driver’s manual mirror; day/nite inside mirror)
9,479 Commando vehicles built 1965: 4974 automatic; 4505 four-speed
Commando 273 4bbl V8 Specifications (AKA: A861 Power Pak)
Rated 235 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm & 280 lb-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm
(standard 180 horsepower @ 4,200 rpm & 260 lb-ft torque @ 1,600 rpm)
Dome top pistons (754 gm wt.) 10:5 to 1 compression w/premium gasoline
(standard 2bbl motor with 8.8 to 1 compression w/regular gasoline)
Solid lift camshaft .415/.425 & lift 248 degrees duration and 26° overlap
(standard 2bbl motor with .395/.405 lift & 240° duration and 16° overlap)
Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor 480 cfm rating 1.435’/1.560” bore sizes
(standard Carter BBD two-barrel carburetor)
Red engine paint, dual breaker point distributor, 10” chrome unsilenced air cleaner, chrome oil filler cap, finned wrinkle-finish valve covers, low-restriction single exhaust.
(standard single point distributor, silenced air cleaner, stock single exhaust)
Other “Formula S” Special Equipment Included:
Heavy duty front torsion bars & rear leaf springs, front stabilizer bar, firm-ride shock absorbers, dash mounted 6000 rpm tachometer, 6.95 x 14 special Goodyear blue streak tires on wide 14 x 5.5” wheels, simulated bolt-on type wheel covers, “Formula S” nameplates on front fenders.
Common Equipment to Standard and Formula S Models:
3.625” cylinder bore and 3.31” stroke (92.1 mm & 84.1 mm), forged crankshaft (56.6 lbs) 2.125” rod journal/2.50” main journal diameter, adjustable ductile-iron rocker arms (1.5 ratio), solid camshaft lifters, 9.60” block deck height, closed chamber cylinder heads with 1.78” intake and 1.50” exhaust valves, forged connecting rods 6.123” center to center length (720 gm wt.), 7 1/4” ring gear differential with self-adjusting 10” drum brakes (2.93, 3.23, 3.55 ratios available).
Commando Tune-UP:
Plugs Champion N-10Y @ 0.035” gap; Firing Order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Timing 10° BTC; dwell 28-33; Idle 600 rpm; oil capacity 5 qts. w/filter