1968 Barracuda fastback cloning to 340 4 speed

[Capt46]

OK, everyone, be prepared for my next restoration project. A 1968 barracuda fastback. See the breakdown of the fender tag this was a special ordered car that just arrived to New York from California San Bernardino Valley. This car was a one owner until 2020 when the owner passed away from Covid And the sister inherited the car who was 79 years old and had no interest in restoring the car. This barracuda currently has the original drivetrain which consist of a 318 two barrel a 904 transmission and eight and three-quarter short grip rear with 3.25 gears. This barracuda will become a formula S clone from my 1969 barracuda formula S car 340 4 speed with 355 gears.

 

[Capt46]

This is the 1969 formula S parts car

 

[junkyardhero]

i remember seeing that car for sale out here, glad somebody from the forum got it.

 

[JDMopar]

Should be a nice car when you're finished. Hopefully you won't have to replace any sheet metal on this one. What's wrong with the parts car? Frame rotten or something? Looks too good to junk out in the pics.

 

[Capt46]

Should be a nice car when you're finished. Hopefully you won't have to replace any sheet metal on this one. What's wrong with the parts car? Frame rotten or something? Looks too good to junk out in the pics.

Lots of rust beyond my ability.
The white one is amazing in metal solid.

 

[Capt46]

Lots of rust beyond my ability.
The white one is amazing in metal solid.

 

[mpgmike]

Personally I would probably enjoy it as is -- at least for awhile -- before diving in. What a gorgeous find!

 

[Capt46]

Personally I would probably enjoy it as is -- at least for awhile -- before diving in. What a gorgeous find!

Thanks better than expected. Very Solid

 

[JDMopar]

You can save money in the long run by getting a nice, clean car like that to start with. I can't imagine you will find any like that up in your part of the country. Challenger convertibles were getting hard to find in the mid to late 80's and I wanted one bad. Found a 70 Challenger R/T conv in Hemmings in my price range. It was in Ft. Lee, NJ. I called and the guy said it was in good shape, just needed minor rust repair. Me and my buddy hooked up the trailer and headed to NJ to get it. Things started down hill when we wheeled into a gas station in Ft. Lee and jumped out and started pumping our gas. LOL...we had no idea you couldn't do it. The Challenger did need rust repair. Repair like jacking the VIN tag up and driving another car under it! It was horrible. We turned around and drove 16 hrs. back to NC with an empty trailer. Good luck with the project....you make cars look really nice.

 

[Capt46]

Yes agreed getting harder and harder and parts getting more and more expensive, so I decided spend a little more to find a SOLID PLATFORM, save thousands in material/parts/labor and build an amazing 340 4 speed car and I have all the Hardest parts to find. With a drive train from the 1969 Formula S 340 4 speed that Runs excellent now.

 

[Capt46]

The white one will now have power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, Heavy duty suspension, dual exhaust, 150 mph speedometer, tachometer, rear defroster, 340 4 speed 3.55 gears.

 

[A56]

You can save money in the long run by getting a nice, clean car like that to start with. I can't imagine you will find any like that up in your part of the country. Challenger convertibles were getting hard to find in the mid to late 80's and I wanted one bad. Found a 70 Challenger R/T conv in Hemmings in my price range. It was in Ft. Lee, NJ. I called and the guy said it was in good shape, just needed minor rust repair. Me and my buddy hooked up the trailer and headed to NJ to get it. Things started down hill when we wheeled into a gas station in Ft. Lee and jumped out and started pumping our gas. LOL...we had no idea you couldn't do it. The Challenger did need rust repair. Repair like jacking the VIN tag up and driving another car under it! It was horrible. We turned around and drove 16 hrs. back to NC with an empty trailer. Good luck with the project....you make cars look really nice.

16 hours from NJ to NC?

 

[JDMopar]

16 hours from NJ to NC?

It was 14 hours when the speed limit was 55, plus stopping for gas, eating, peeing, etc. This was in the 80's....not last week, lol.

 

[banzaibullitt]

Build date is exactly one year before I was born.

 

[Capt46]

One day this car is solid and nice…
Engine and transmission out on Friday.

 

[Capt46]

Today grill and header panel removed

 

[Capt46]

Getting better and better,
California car and undercoated when new

 

[Capt46]

Solid so far

 

[Capt46]

Great condition

 

[Capt46]

Bottom of car WOW!

 

[mygasser]

wow indeed

 

[Capt46]

Today get heater core done , prep engine bay for primer , start tomorrow tearing 69 340 car down. Making progress.

 

[Capt46]

And stripped some old paint… California steel I love it.

 

[Capt46]

No wasting time

 

[Capt46]

A little more ………