NEW: S/S Hemi Prototype Barracuda (Mule) Info found ! Magazine Test car connection!
I own the all the original build documentation info from Bob Tarozzi who designed the prototype mule car for that 68 Hemi A-body Super Stock program. I've been trying to clear up some info on the car and then got interested in where this car came from.
From the documentation, the mule car is noted as a 1968 340 4spd from the Chrysler corporate Road Test Garage on or before 10/9/67: Car # 139.
Well, it seems Road Test Garage cars where used for magazine test cars. I've collected all those original 1968 Barracuda magazine articles. Car and Driver, Sports Car Graphic, Car Life Motor Tread... even original '68 articles on the Mule car itself.
Well, today I got a picture of the fender tag on the mule car.
This car has a unique option combination. And it matches the red 340 4spd used in the Sports Car Graphic December issue. In my opinion there is a strong case that both these cars are the same. Read further and check it out.
Mule Car Fender Tag
Options on Super Stock Mule prototype (Car # 139):
Now look at this Dec 1967 road test car:
Options seen on PP1 Sports Car Graphic road test 340 4spd 68 Barracuda
Also, the article was partially written and test driven by none other than Chrysler Engineer Scott Harvey. Harvey ran the 1966 SCCA Trans Am series with a '66 Barracuda. And coincidentally, Bob Tarozzi crewed on his team (have binder with race ticket stubs, car setups, etc. from Bob). Also, Scott Harvey was mentioned in the interoffice memo for part procurement for one set of lightweight glass for the mule car, "Repeat of order recently supplied to Mr. Scott Harvey". Also, the large bolt pattern disk brakes used on the Super Stock A-bodies were originally made for Scott Harvey for the 66 A-body SCCA cars. Geez a lot of coincidences.
Sports Car Graphic list of options on test 340 car:
This option list for the test car matches the Mule prototype's fender tag exactly except for the custom sill molding (spears and gill rocker). And that is clearly not on the pictured test car.
The Sport Steering wheel (woodgrain) option in on the Mule prototype but is not pictured on the magazine car.
Even stranger, the steering wheel pictured on this magazine test car is a 1967 steering wheel. Maybe it this car was pre-production and the new for '68 wheel wasn't ready? Or they swapped parts on these Road Test cars? And the rocker gills shown on the option list aren't even on pictured car... just weird.
I don't believe steering wheel, bumper guards or fast ratio steering are listed on a 68 fender tag. Maybe @davescuda can confirm?
I own the all the original build documentation info from Bob Tarozzi who designed the prototype mule car for that 68 Hemi A-body Super Stock program. I've been trying to clear up some info on the car and then got interested in where this car came from.
From the documentation, the mule car is noted as a 1968 340 4spd from the Chrysler corporate Road Test Garage on or before 10/9/67: Car # 139.
Well, it seems Road Test Garage cars where used for magazine test cars. I've collected all those original 1968 Barracuda magazine articles. Car and Driver, Sports Car Graphic, Car Life Motor Tread... even original '68 articles on the Mule car itself.
Well, today I got a picture of the fender tag on the mule car.
This car has a unique option combination. And it matches the red 340 4spd used in the Sports Car Graphic December issue. In my opinion there is a strong case that both these cars are the same. Read further and check it out.
Mule Car Fender Tag
Options on Super Stock Mule prototype (Car # 139):
- PP1 Red
- Formula S
- 340
- 4 speed
- Rear defogger.
- Manual disk brakes
- 3 speed wipers
- Drivers side remote mirror
- Black deluxe interior bucket seats
- Console
- Tach
- Wheel lip moldings
- Radio
- 3.91 gears
Now look at this Dec 1967 road test car:
Options seen on PP1 Sports Car Graphic road test 340 4spd 68 Barracuda
- Rear defogger. Because it does NOT have light package with map light switch. Nor is it a conv. top switch. So the switch under the dash has to be for rear defogger.
- Manual disk brakes
- Formula S
- 340 spd
- 3 speed wipers
- Drivers side remote mirror
- Black deluxe interior bucket seats
- Console
- Wheel lip moldings
- Radio
- Red side wall tires
- front and rear bumper guards
Also, the article was partially written and test driven by none other than Chrysler Engineer Scott Harvey. Harvey ran the 1966 SCCA Trans Am series with a '66 Barracuda. And coincidentally, Bob Tarozzi crewed on his team (have binder with race ticket stubs, car setups, etc. from Bob). Also, Scott Harvey was mentioned in the interoffice memo for part procurement for one set of lightweight glass for the mule car, "Repeat of order recently supplied to Mr. Scott Harvey". Also, the large bolt pattern disk brakes used on the Super Stock A-bodies were originally made for Scott Harvey for the 66 A-body SCCA cars. Geez a lot of coincidences.
Sports Car Graphic list of options on test 340 car:
This option list for the test car matches the Mule prototype's fender tag exactly except for the custom sill molding (spears and gill rocker). And that is clearly not on the pictured test car.
The Sport Steering wheel (woodgrain) option in on the Mule prototype but is not pictured on the magazine car.
Even stranger, the steering wheel pictured on this magazine test car is a 1967 steering wheel. Maybe it this car was pre-production and the new for '68 wheel wasn't ready? Or they swapped parts on these Road Test cars? And the rocker gills shown on the option list aren't even on pictured car... just weird.
I don't believe steering wheel, bumper guards or fast ratio steering are listed on a 68 fender tag. Maybe @davescuda can confirm?