I'm looking for some help 1966 Barracuda

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MAubrecht

66 Cuda
Joined
May 30, 2010
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Location
North Georgia
I am getting ready to pull the trigger and purchase a 1966 Barracuda w/ a 273 auto w/ 92k original miles. I have some questions. It's in near perfect condition w/ matching numbers and the interior is like new. I need some parts and it needs some minor exterior touch up. How much should I pay and will I be able to locate the following? Drivers side door arm rest, Barracuda script passenger side, chrome trim molding that runs along the outside lower section from front wheel well to back wheel well, console that includes the gear indicator, chrome pieces that fit on the front top fenders, ash tray, 4 barrel carb? Thanks for your help! This will be my first venture into classic cars and I'm a bit nervous about pulling the trigger.
 
Matching numbers? Nothing before 1968 had matching numbers. Overused phrase, much like "rare" which these cars certainly weren't.

The parts you need are available from time to time. Keep an eye out on eBay, various Mopar oriented forums, and Mopar specific junk yards. You'll be looking for used parts, as not much is reproduced for these cars.

What should you spend? What is it worth to you? An original Formula S in showroom condition might be worth $10,000, but it would cost far more than that to restore a "restorable" car. Keep in mind this is a 45 year old economy car. A-bodies are a lot of fun because they are inexpensive. $5000 for a complete rust free early Barracuda is probably about the top of the average.
 
x2 what C130Chief said especially about the price. Also check the car carefully for rust, use a magnet on the body and fish a little mirror on a long pipecleaner or something into the cowl grill to look around. Don't let your emotions affect your decision or you will be spending a lot of money. Believe me I speak from experience, I bought mine because I felt sorry for it, no regrets but definately a money pit 8)
 
I have a 65 formula s, had a 66 before it was destroyed by an old man backing out of a driveway. The early A bodies are great cars to start with, they are modest in value and parts do exist. Half the fun is finding parts. If it is an original car with original motor in very good shape it is worth more kept that way, My 66 was not nor is my 65, I paid about 4 k for my current 65, it needed alot of work and I have spent over 7k on restoration with more to go. I did this because I love early cudas, the 1964 valient/barracuda was available with a V8 six months before anyone heard about mustangs. A true mopar purist like me would say we beat them to the "pony car market"! Places like Carlilse and Mopar meets are great for finding the parts. I have a center console for a 66 cuda, I was going to put it in my 65 as it is bigger and has a place to store stuff. Both of my cudas ended up with 318's in them as it is a better motor for HP than the solid lifter 273, a original car if confirmed should stay that way. There is a guy Galen Govier that can confirm your cars originality based on the numbers on fender tag, motor and build sheet under rear seat if it still is there. My 66 had it and was a 6cyl, the 65 was missing it and I was told the 273 was a relacement motor. I hope to go back to street class drag racing someday and wanted the 318 for more hp and potential. My 66 ran low 14's and was getting ready for 13's but was destroyed. An old car is just like a boat a hole you throw money into, but like boat lovers there does not need to be any reasoning just love of old cars and cruising! Mopar or nocar for me!
 
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I like the emotional comment. I have gotten caught up in it. I've included a few pictures that I was able to get. The guy is asking $10k but think he'll take $8k. Is that still too much money. The car is very clean. Thanks again for everyone's help.

66 cuda 5.jpg


66 cuda 4.jpg


66 cuda 3.jpg


66 cuda 2.jpg


66 cuda.jpg
 
Well it looks clean enough. Make sure the rust in the rear quarters was repaired correctly (metal). So why is it the car needs a new console?

Add real window cranks to your list of parts. $8K is probably reasonable IF the car is rust free.
 
it's missing the shift gear indicator window and housing to hold the ash tray slide door

The one draw back I saw to the car is that somebody added power windows at one point - they did an excellent installation job but the window handles have been removed and it's now electric
 
Again I agree with C130Chief. Rust is the #1 thing you really have to check for. Also find out if the a/c has been gone through recently, if it is in good working order that's a big plus. Beautiful car, I hope it works out for you.

The power windows, well, that's something you can probably adjust to. Probably a good sign, if someone went to that kind of trouble, they really loved the car.
 
Looks to be a clean car. I would question why the Barracuda emblem, fender trim and rocker trim are all missing from the same side. This may indicate a collision repair on this side.
 
I'm all for you getting this car but I guess I'll have to be the one to tell you that it looks like a $4000 car, at least it does to me. Yes it looks nice, has air conditioning and the power window install is interesting but is ok as far as I'm concerned but $8000 buys some really really nice '66 Barracudas or '66 Dart GTs. Then the car is green, even the interior, I like it and think it looks very tasteful but it's a hard color to sell if you have to re-sell it. There's nothing wrong with paying more than $4000 becasue I think you'll get your value in usage but you won't find another person willing to pay anywhere near that much, just check out the prices of completed auctions for 1966 Barracudas. Last fall I bought and then when I moved in Feb had to sell a '66 Barracuda Formula S for $5000, it was a very nice driver and it was red so I sold it for what it cost me - no harm done. I just had to tell you that I think $8000 is way over market price for that car, for that much it should be a in a bit better condition, should be a "Formula S", shouldn't have any needs and should have front disc brakes.
 
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