65 Commando Cuda

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chryslerfat

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I just bought what looks to be a pretty solid 65 Commando Barracuda 4 speed that looks complete except for the top of the 273. I have the parts for the engine thats missing but I have a question Is this car rare enough to save or part it out?
 
Save It
A V8 four speed early A barracuda is a great find =P~, Do you have pictures to share with us? :cheers:
 
I will pick it up in 2 weeks and get everyone pics then. I bought it on Ebay and it has not been on the road in over 23 years according to the owner.
 
I just bought what looks to be a pretty solid 65 Commando Barracuda 4 speed that looks complete except for the top of the 273. I have the parts for the engine thats missing but I have a question Is this car rare enough to save or part it out?

It's a pretty rare bird.....and desirable too. I think it just depends on how bad the body is......how much $$ it will need to bring it back vs. how much nice ones are selling for.......you don't wanna find yourself "upside down" on it. At least I don't. Things are a little weird right now, where I'm seeing a lot of cars @ prices that....I know you couldn't restore one for. Which is one reason I'm really getting into doing just about everything myself.
 
congrats on a great find. I had bid up to $500. but had to stop. Need the money to finish the one I have. You will be thrilled when you get this one hone. Body is much better than what I am working on.
have a great day and let us know how its going.
if you check on e-bay there are varius engine parts for the V8 if you need them.
 
Naaaa Part it out....to me! Ha...Do as MeMike said....SAVE it!

Aloha!
 
It would be nice to get it back on the road, the 273 with a four speed is a really cool combination that is fun to drive. But you need to be careful as it's easy to get upside down with the value of these cars.
 
It would be nice to get it back on the road, the 273 with a four speed is a really cool combination that is fun to drive. But you need to be careful as it's easy to get upside down with the value of these cars.


I hear ya there I am at 5500 in my 66 now. I have decided to save this one though. For the engine I have everything thats missing except the valve covers and its all from dads 65 Commando from when I was a kid. So all in all his lives on. From the pics he had I see it is pretty much complete so that will save me money putting it back.
 
It would be nice to get it back on the road, the 273 with a four speed is a really cool combination that is fun to drive. But you need to be careful as it's easy to get upside down with the value of these cars.
Upside down is a good way to describe it. That's exactly where I'm at. I probably have 5k into my 65 FS Four speed and still have a long way to go. Once you get so far in, there's no turning back. Fortunately I have pretty much all the bits and pieces. It seems like values are back and forth somewhat but originality helps a lot. I'd be very hesitant to break up an authentic FS. That's just me being partial.
 
I took these pics from the ad on Ebay.


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Maaco has a pretty good deal on paint jobs in the winter. If you do the prep work it's only $200 and I don't think you could buy the paint for that much. The Maaco in Waterfrod does a pretty decent job.
 
When I picked up my son tonight he asked when is Saturday? I guess at 10 years old he cant wait for dad to spend money. lol He thinks that I will let him drive it to school when he is 16. I will get it cleaned up and get picks up Sunday after we sleep a little because its 22 hours round trip according to Mapquest.
 
From the pictures it looks to be a candidate for a return to the road.....too complete to part out!
 
Commando cars are pretty rare. Everyone seems to have FS, but very few are real Commando's. :)
 
That was a great score and I am glad to hear your going to save it. We all need to save as many of the rare ones we can. I am looking forward to seeeing it cleaned up. Nicely done.
 
Sell me those headers. I have never seen those before, look a little like Hedman Husslers but I bet they are the Cyclone Fenderwells of old. Blow off the leaves, strip block sand, primer, Pick the motor and start shooting. OEM commando valve covers seem to be about 100.00 a pair all overe the place. the valve train will be another 100, the taillight lenses are 45 a pop just for the red ones, the backups are a little less. How are the headlight bezels, there is another 140. Its the little things thatll hurt you. Other than that, rock on! I bought my '65 "S" auto out of a warehouse with 1976 tags on it back in '93, straight, original complete, 800 bucks. Couldnt get NOS trim for the car now for 800. Good luck, always here to answer questions on the restification of these, done 2.
 
Thanks for the replies. From what I can see in the pics I will need Taillight lens`, 1 reverse lens, valve covers, and an air cleaner to start with. I have from dads 65 Commando the rocker assemblies with push rods, Offenhauser intake, numbers correct afb carb, dual point dist. So I have a good start to it.
 
congrats,glad some one is saving it,,,motor appears to have been apart for a long while,,,push rods look rusty,,ide take off the oil pan,,, replace the oil pump,,,pour some diesel thru the motor,,,to flush out any loose junk,,,remove the dizzy and hand prime that motor,,see if the rocker shafts flow oil to the pus h rods,, pics more pics,,,
 
Looks like a great find. Can't tell if it's a Formula S from photos, but I did note the front sway bar. The tires look like they may be 14s which might hide a pair of disk brakes at the front. Production #s on 273 4bbl w/4-speed are low.
 
Nice find and yes I,d save it.Looks to be complete,with a 4 speed to boot!I can see a brake booster,so I,m thinking a disc brake car!Looking forward to more info and pics!
 
Nice find and yes I,d save it.Looks to be complete,with a 4 speed to boot!I can see a brake booster,so I,m thinking a disc brake car!Looking forward to more info and pics!

thats a factory brake booster for power brakes,, came with 10 in drum brakes also,,
 
Well she is home and cleaned up a little. I should have it running if time allows before the end of the month.

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