Introducing an (almost) Loaded 1965 Formula S

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dibbons

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I know all about the 1965 A Body Mopar, having bracket raced from 1975-1980 with a four door, four speed 273 Plymouth Valiant. Sold it in 1980 to the "famous" Renteria Brothers who raced it until they sold it to Kenny Moorhead circa 2000.

About ten years ago driving on some back road to Mule Creek State Prison to visit a relative serving a 40 years to life sentence, I spot this '65 Formula S alongside the road with a "for sale" sign (original color white). I did not realize at the time what the significance of "Formula S" was.

It was not in running condition, but seemed complete except for most of the factory A/C parts missing (and the windshield was cracked pretty bad), so I paid the lady the asking price (seemed reasonable). Since I used to build my own motors (first at Community College Auto Technology classes and later at home) I was not worried about engine repair. When I inspected the motor, found one piston had a small hole burned clear thru the top. Don't really know the history of that problem, the previous owner (the lady) did not share any information.

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Found the build sheet in the usual place (springs of the bottom rear seat cushion). Most of it is readable, although I don't understand any of the codes. The door VIN and fender tag are intact.

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Thats cool, I found my 'S' out front of a muffler shop. Registration stickers were 20 years out....Mine ran and I got it home on 5 cylinders.
 
First thing I did was study up on the definition of "Formula S".
Then I took a tour of the car and found everything where it should be (see fotos):
Exhaust cut-out (rear valance), tire/rim cut-out (rear seat/trunk divider), Formula S fender emblems, front stabilizer bar (took some ingenious fabricating to replace the rubber bushings but we got it done), chrome un-silenced air filter, Carter AFB, finned hemi-style valve covers, tachometer. Dual point distributor was missing, so I purchased a single point version at the local auto parts store.

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I'm not sure what molding was standard or optional. I did find: chrome strips along the top of the rear fenders that blend with the tail lights, molding below the doors that extend to the rear quarter panels and front fenders, chrome molding on the doors at the bottom of the side windows that extend up and around the rear windows, drip rail moldings, wheel well moldings (left rear is missing).

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The warranty card in the glove compartment has what looks like four entries. However, the ink is faded on all except for the 18 month which reads: 7/8/66 (date) 32918 (mileage) 9044 (dealer code).

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All of the trim is standard on Barracuda models, the top trim line in the Plymouth A body platform!
 
The interior had gold carpet (I tore that out), black bucket seats and an automatic floor shift. I don't know if the following were standard or options: front and rear seat belts, courtesy lights, padded dash, 3 spoke steering wheel, day/nite mirror (see fotos):

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I just noticed my '65 Valiant Signet Convertible has some molding along the bottom of the trunk above the bumper (where the trunk key fits). The Formula S does not have this. I don't know if the previous owner removed it or if it was not part of the Barracuda trim package (see fotos).

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I am fairly sure the following were strictly optional equipment; A/C (missing most factory parts), power steering (rebuilt locally), power brakes (rebuilt by Karp Power Brake Service), tinted glass (see fotos):

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I don't see a hood pad/silencer, passenger side outside mirror, or rear window defogger. I assume these would be a few options this Formula S was deprived of. It has an original driver's door mirror (round, but very small) I don't know if there was another mirror option there (see fotos).

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Some other equipment I find: trunk rod prop that unlatches itself when you lift up, original Mopar radiator #2524962 (shroud missing), six blade steel fan, dual horns (standard?).

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I don't see a hood pad/silencer, passenger side outside mirror, or rear window defogger. I assume these would be a few options this Formula S was deprived of. It has an original driver's door mirror (round, but very small) I don't know if there was another mirror option there (see fotos).

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Remote control mirror and right side companion mirror were optional. I am not for sure if the hood pad was a factory or dealer installed option. Rear defog was a option.

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The previous owner made some changes:
a) Mopar Rallye wheels 14 X 5 1/2 (only have one trim ring and center, so when I re-painted the wheels I left the trim rings/centers off). The lug studs have been converted make sure all are conventional right hand threads.
b) 8 3/4 open differential (489 case with 2.94 gears) Thank you!!
c) Radio is missing and radio antenna is broken off
d) The 273 had been replaced with a 318 block (casting circa 1980) but retained the original air cleaner, original AFB, and original black wrinkle valve covers. The four barrel intake manifold is a later 1966-67 Formula S version (casting number 2536563) which is not listed on some internet data bases. I assume this later model manifold was needed to match the intake bolt angle/diameter difference of the newer 318 cylinder heads. Actually, a kind FABO member gave me a 273 block, so if I ever want to restore it back to original displacement, I can (see fotos):

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Gauges are acting strange, except for the ammeter. I am not comfortable without an oil pressure gauge, so I placed a mechanical one outside where I can see it at all times (I had one in the same place in my '65 bracket racer back in the day) I installed a mechanical coolant temp gauge before the 1,500 mile drive from my old home (California) to my new home (Baja California Sur) (see fotos):

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Found the build sheet in the usual place (springs of the bottom rear seat cushion). Most of it is readable, although I don't understand any of the codes. The door VIN and fender tag are intact.

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I'll try to decode your fender tag. The early ones are sketchy and not all information is available. They start at the bottom left (for some reason) Someone else may know more. This is all my books have for info.
FIRST ROW
SO 121 Scheduled production date 1-21
NUMBER 54 Order number
BODY V39 Barracuda
TRM P4Y Trim code Medium tan metallic
PAINT W1 White

SECOND ROW
AB 31 Engine 273 4 barrell 10.5/1
C2 Formula S
D5 Transmission Torqueflite
E1 Heat AC with heater
F1 Power accs. Power brakes
Q1 AM radio
T8 Tachometer
V3 Back up lights
X8 unknown

THIRD ROW
1-1 Mirror Outside manual
3-9 Wiper 3 speed variable wiper/washer
 
X
I'll try to decode your fender tag. The early ones are sketchy and not all information is available. They start at the bottom left (for some reason) Someone else may know more. This is all my books have for info.
FIRST ROW
SO 121 Scheduled production date 1-21
NUMBER 54 Order number
BODY V39 Barracuda
TRM P4Y Trim code Medium tan metallic
PAINT W1 White

SECOND ROW
AB 31 Engine 273 4 barrell 10.5/1
C2 Formula S
D5 Transmission Torqueflite
E1 Heat AC with heater
F1 Power accs. Power brakes
Q1 AM radio
T8 Tachometer
V3 Back up lights
X8 unknown

THIRD ROW
1-1 Mirror Outside manual
3-9 Wiper 3 speed variable wiper/washer
X8 is retractable seat belts front & rear
 
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