68 Barracuda 340S - what's it worth

Mark Wilson · Mar 18, 2009

I posted about this car last year. The owner was a friend who passed away. His sister is now ready to determine value and get it on the market. It appears to be all original and all there. It spent it's life in west Texas and the sister believes miles are true - 46K. It is not running and hasn't in several years. It appears to have been parked and left. Rust in bottoms of quarters is all I found. Can you guys give us some feedback what the car will bring?

autoxcuda · Mar 18, 2009

IMHO, it's worth a little less than a 68 or 69 340 Dart GTS/Swinger A/C auto with good color combo.

On another board there was a WIW question of a Swinger 340 with bad bodywork dark green on dark green but no rot out on lower quarters like this Cuda. About same completion/condition. Not running for a year or so. General opinion was $4K-$6K. numbers motor and buildsheet were significant pluses. And 68/69 Darts are cheaper, easier to find, and have less costly parts than a 68 Barracuda.

IMHO, with the condition it's in the mileage is/almost insignificant.

EDIT, just noticed something!! That car has a 120 mph speedo. Not the 150 w/trip O.D. that all Formula S's had. Could have been replaced once. But since the mileage is insignificant, it's just a factor is figuring the cost of a used 150 speedo (they're out there).

Sparky · Mar 18, 2009

autoxcuda said:
IMHO, it's worth a little less than a 68 or 69 340 Dart GTS/Swinger A/C auto with good color combo.

On another board there was a WIW question of a Swinger 340 with bad bodywork dark green on dark green but no rot out on lower quarters like this Cuda. About same completion/condition. Not running for a year or so. General opinion was $4K-$6K. numbers motor and buildsheet were significant pluses. And 68/69 Darts are cheaper, easier to find, and have less costly parts than a 68 Barracuda.

IMHO, with the condition it's in the mileage is/almost insignificant.

EDIT, just noticed something!! That car has a 120 mph speedo. Not the 150 w/trip O.D. that all Formula S's had. Could have been replaced once. But since the mileage is insignificant, it's just a factor is figuring the cost of a used 150 speedo (they're out there).

I thought the speedo was an option like the clock, vac gauge or tach??
Nice unit, kinda partial to 68 340 s notcho's. Don't know the market in the states but if the trunk,floors ,frame rails are solid and the motor is not toast, I think 4 or 5 would be a real good deal. Like most of the fish , production #s on that car/combo would be low, about 7 or 800???

1968FormulaS340 · Mar 18, 2009

autoxcuda said:
IMHO, it's worth a little less than a 68 or 69 340 Dart GTS/Swinger A/C auto with good color combo.

On another board there was a WIW question of a Swinger 340 with bad bodywork dark green on dark green but no rot out on lower quarters like this Cuda. About same completion/condition. Not running for a year or so. General opinion was $4K-$6K. numbers motor and buildsheet were significant pluses. And 68/69 Darts are cheaper, easier to find, and have less costly parts than a 68 Barracuda.

IMHO, with the condition it's in the mileage is/almost insignificant.

EDIT, just noticed something!! That car has a 120 mph speedo. Not the 150 w/trip O.D. that all Formula S's had. Could have been replaced once. But since the mileage is insignificant, it's just a factor is figuring the cost of a used 150 speedo (they're out there).

150 mph was an option. It was not standard on a Formula S.

Sell it for $4,000 to $6,000 if you need it gone yesterday and like people laughing at you as they drive away with their new car...

People will pay $10,000 for a car like that... You should see some of the junk I have sold in the past....

Many people are looking for a Real Formula S and will pay retard money.... Start at 10 and work down from there...

Like I tell everyone.... If you can find a Formula S for less, like you say you can, go buy that one....

autoxcuda · Mar 19, 2009

1968FormulaS340 said:
150 mph was an option. It was not standard on a Formula S.

My bad, you are correct. It was sales code 362.

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com...lesmansPocketGuides/1968/68_Barracuda0002.jpg

Sell it for $4,000 to $6,000 if you need it gone yesterday and like people laughing at you as they drive away with their new car...

People will pay $10,000 for a car like that... You should see some of the junk I have sold in the past....

Many people are looking for a Real Formula S and will pay retard money.... Start at 10 and work down from there...

Like I tell everyone.... If you can find a Formula S for less, like you say you can, go buy that one....

IMHO, your 4spd fastback advertised for $20K is way more than double the car this coupe is.

Market is down. People aren't paying the retard money any more. Especially for projects with rusty quarters. Haven't seen pictures of the trunk or frame. If that stuff is rust free maybe it's a $6K, $7K tops.

Yes, the coupe production numbers are way lower than fastback. But rarity doesn't alway mean desirability. Fastbacks sell for more.

There was a white extremely nice 68 383 4 speed coupe that started as a low mile solid car and was restored with lots of NOS stuff too. Sold on ebay for like around $35K. Out of Ventura Co., Calif.

Are you saying a 69 340 swinger is worth more in the the same condition than this 68-S coupe? Would you say a 71 Duster or Demon is worth more?

This car restored really nice is worth high 20's to low 30's. And that's sort of pushing it. It would take $40K to make this notchback that nice. It's gonna need $1500 to $2000 in front grille work and trunk trim restoration alone. $12K to $15K in paint and body...

1968FormulaS340 · Mar 19, 2009

autoxcuda said:
My bad, you are correct. It was sales code 362.

http://www.hamtramck-historical.com...lesmansPocketGuides/1968/68_Barracuda0002.jpg

Don't you have your fastback advertised in the low 20's. That's way more than double the car this coupe is.

Market is down. People aren't paying the retard money any more. Especially for projects with rusty quarters. Haven't seen pictures of the trunk or frame. If that stuff is rust free maybe it's a $6K, $7K tops.

Yes, the coupe production numbers are way lower than fastback. But rarity doesn't alway mean desirability. Fastbacks sell for more.

There was a white extremely nice 68 383 4 speed coupe that started as a low mile solid car and was restored with lots of NOS stuff too. Sold on ebay for like around $35K. Out of Ventura Co., Calif.

Are you saying a 69 340 swinger is worth more in the the same condition than this 68-S coupe? Would you say a 71 Duster or Demon is worth more?

This car restored really nice is worth high 20's to low 30's. And that's sort of pushing it. It would take $40K to make this notchback that nice. It's gonna need $1500 to $2000 in front grille work and trunk trim restoration alone. $12K to $15K in paint and body...

If you start high you can go down, if you start low its hard to go up... The 67 GTO I sold for $4500 makes that Barracuda look like a new car.

If you have the time start high.

Longgone · Mar 19, 2009

I remember this car when it came up last year. It probably would`ve brought more money then but granted the car`s all there, I think the car should bring around 4500-5000 dollars now. If you can find two people that "just must have it" then who knows?

Mark Wilson · Mar 19, 2009

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't get a chance to look underneath or in the trunk when I visited. I'll probably pick it up and bring back to Dallas in the next few weeks and have a chance to better evaluate.

Do you guys think there is any chance the engine could be brought back to life after a 10 or so year sleep?

fstfish66 · Mar 19, 2009

what a shame to let a car get that bad with such low miles,,if the mileage is true,,,would be a nice car restored,with the A/C

Mark Wilson · Mar 19, 2009

fstfish66 said:
what a shame to let a car get that bad with such low miles,,if the mileage is true,,,would be a nice car restored,with the A/C

Agreed - unfortunately, my friend Warren, the owner fell ill with cystic fibrosis in the 80's and always had hope he would be well enough to get it back on the road. I miss him a lot.

17remfan · Mar 19, 2009

There are people here that could whip that car right back into shape(Not me ) lol.Im the kink that needs to spend more up front .I hope it finds a good home soon.

340sFastback · Mar 19, 2009

I think it would move for $3500 to $4500 as is. Hard to say how bad the rust is from the pics. Clean out trunk and take some pics. Pull front seats and pull carpet back and take pics of floors. Clean junk out of interior etc. If floors, trunk, and frame have no rust add $2000 to the above.

As far as people thinking $10,000 highly unlikely. Its a recession and second gen barracuda coupes don't pull in the big money especially in that condition. But it is a desirable color with some nice options. Might be the only out there like it.

65barracudadude · Mar 19, 2009

Can we see some better photo's please???? I would like to see underneath the car. And the trunk, Some more of the motor. The rear end. Some more of the inside of the car. I'm interested. And just some more general info. Thanks.

LS-300 · Mar 19, 2009

Mark Wilson said:
Thanks for the feedback. I didn't get a chance to look underneath or in the trunk when I visited. I'll probably pick it up and bring back to Dallas in the next few weeks and have a chance to better evaluate.

Do you guys think there is any chance the engine could be brought back to life after a 10 or so year sleep?

The underside condition will defiantly affect the value. I have a bad feeling seeing how was sitting on the ground that may be a minor problem.
As for waking sleeping beauty. It can be done but don't rush it. You will need to drain any gas in the gas tank. I like to use a small electric pump hooked up to a battery. I install the pump on the inlet side of the mechanical pump and run the output into an old gas can. Any problems with the fuel system I would deal with as they showed up. Prior to adding any gas to the tank I would remove ALL the spark plugs. This is to assure that no compression builds making it hard to crank. Some people squirt a small amount of oil into each cylinder. I would try to crank the engine using the starter. Remember to keep the spark plugs out for this. If the engine cranks freely, Ill add some fresh gas to the tank and crank again to get the gas up from the tank. I would now reinstall the plugs and give it a go.
You may be surprised how durable old Mopars are. Good luck

Mark Wilson · Mar 19, 2009

65barracudadude said:
Can we see some better photo's please???? I would like to see underneath the car. And the trunk, Some more of the motor. The rear end. Some more of the inside of the car. I'm interested. And just some more general info. Thanks.

Wish I had better pics - the car is 5 hours away. I'm tentatively planning to pick it up in 3 weeks and bring back to Dallas.

autoxcuda · Mar 19, 2009

LS-300 said:
The underside condition will defiantly affect the value. I have a bad feeling seeing how was sitting on the ground that may be a minor problem.
As for waking sleeping beauty. It can be done but don't rush it. You will need to drain any gas in the gas tank. I like to use a small electric pump hooked up to a battery. I install the pump on the inlet side of the mechanical pump and run the output into an old gas can. Any problems with the fuel system I would deal with as they showed up. Prior to adding any gas to the tank I would remove ALL the spark plugs. This is to assure that no compression builds making it hard to crank. Some people squirt a small amount of oil into each cylinder. I would try to crank the engine using the starter. Remember to keep the spark plugs out for this. If the engine cranks freely, Ill add some fresh gas to the tank and crank again to get the gas up from the tank. I would now reinstall the plugs and give it a go.
You may be surprised how durable old Mopars are. Good luck

Being in a mile climate like Texas, I'm sure it can be brought back to running, barring there was not something that mechanically caused it to sit. Probably with just a carb rebuilt, tank drain out/flush, fuel hose, fuel pump or less. With a lot of patience and some good diagnostics.

340sFastback · Mar 19, 2009

I would not crank that engine unless you squirt WD-40 in all the cylinders and change the oil and filter. You don't want pistons going up and down on bone dry cylinder walls, not good. Take carb off and clean it out. Put on a new gas filter. I would also disconnect fuel line at fuel pump and run a rubber hose from fuel pump to fresh can of gas. Then like said above crank it over without the plugs in, squirt some more WD-40 in the cylinders and repeat. Then put plugs in and give it a try. If it ran when parked it should still run given the hood and air cleaner were on; not likely water got in there.

If you get it to run off a gas can then flush out tank and fuel line.

69superbee · Mar 19, 2009

If the oil pan is not ventilated. it can be brought back to life.

should be taken apart and checked , gaskets, rebuild if needed.

The car is clean if you live in the rust belt as I do. finding one that is all there is the hard part these days.

as long as the floors, frame, trunk is solid.

it would make someone a very nice car if they are willing to put the work into it.

Being a low mile car with the options it has (providing the above checks out) I think it is worth 7-10k. I would get it and restore it for myself if I were you in my friends honor. Down the road with a little work it would be a good investment and a better experiance.

I have brought more mopars back from the dead than I care to think about. and I enjoyed everyone. for a while my place was like a home for wayward Misfit mopars that no one loved anymore. with a little polish and some hard work they left me having potential. A car means more to you if you spend the time with it . I wish I had all of my old mopars.

Pete

Mark Wilson · Mar 19, 2009

69superbee said:
Being a low mile car with the options it has (providing the above checks out) I think it is worth 7-10k. I would get it and restore it for myself if I were you in my friends honor. Down the road with a little work it would be a good investment and a better experiance.

Pete

Pete - I've certainly been giving it some thought but I bought and am restoring one of Warren's other cars. I'd have to store this one for a couple years til the first one is complete.

'68-340-S · Mar 19, 2009

Nice car. Five years ago I bought my '68 for 5k in about the same shape.

69superbee · Mar 20, 2009

Mark,

If I could store the car for a bit I would do it if I were you . get her and put it on the back burner until you can get to it if you have a spot for her.

in the mean time the market might pick up and it will fetch a better price. Then clean it a little and put her on the market if you are sure that you want to let her go. I got a feeling that if you have that little car around for a bit she might steal your heart and you will not be able to help yourself.

Had my Notch out yesterday and had a blast. I fall in love all over again with that lil car everytime I see it.

best of luck with what ever you decide to do with the car I am sure you will do what is best for you.

Pete

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