1966 Plymouth Barracuda

Almost immediately after finding out I was deploying I started really grinding away at the to-do list because my Hope was to drive it once before heading out of country.
With that being said I got done: front left and right tie rods, Royal Purple Oil change, two brand new headlights, Crackedback’s headlight relay kit, new brake lines established and terminated, completed the four wheel disc brake conversion kit, and revived the ‘60’s hand parking brake, added brand new Torq Thrust chrome wheels and some T/A rubber, and finally installed BPE cable kickdown Kit. But ran out of time and have not had it on the road prior to my deployment. I’d rather do things correctly and have it take longer that rush to complete a task only to make the task longer.

So here I sit on deployment and I think/dream what to do to this car.... so here’s where I ask for constructive discussion! What do I do next? Do I paint the car? Do I stroke the 318-408? Do I add gauges? Do I redo carpet?

What are you convictions on restoring an older car? How do you go through pros and cons about what’s next?

This is just a Sunday drive/ investment. I want it to be mine but I was to take my kids for ice cream in it on the weekends. Street/strip style.

Any words of advice?

You can go as big as you want, or just call it good all depends on how much time and $$ you want to put in! You can find all the help and advice you could ever ask for on this site some REALLY knowledgeable people on here.
Good luck and Thank you for serving our country!

It sounds like you have it steering and stopping safely, don't forget new shocks and a good alignment. I personally would work on making it more enjoyable to ride in for everyone. If it needs new carpet then that's a good weekend project. New engine and certainly new paint can be an extended process that takes your car off the road for a while. I would drive it and enjoy it as much as possibe when you get back. I've been away from a project before and went to bed every night dreaming of what I would do when I return. Start making a list of things that need to be done and then prioritize them. Be safe and thanks for your service!

I agree with @BrianT , make it enjoyable to drive. That's what I have slowly done over the past 8 years. My goal was always quick projects so it wasn't off the road too long.

Did you replace the master cylinder? How about rear leaf springs? The biggest change in the driving feel of mine was rebuilding the steering coupler, believe it or not. Well, that along with new leaf springs, new torsion bars, and all new bushings up front.

Does it start, idle and accelerate well? Could go with new carburetor, new ignition (I run a Pertronix igniter and coil). It starts great, and runs well.

At some point I'm going with more cubic inches but for now I'm just driving the heck out of it!!!

Thank you for your service! Stay in as long as possible?! I retired after 21 years and miss it every day.

Since you have a 66 Barracuda, you have gauges. Vacuum, water temp, oil pressure, speedometer, ammeter, fuel, possibly a factory tach? What more do you need? A 318 will make plenty of bulletproof power for an early A and their small rear wheel wells. Anywhere from a cam and small 4 barrel to a full up 340 style conversion, 360 heads pistons cam valvetrain carb intake and distributor. I'd say get it up and running as fast as you can and enjoy it. Then fix the cosmetics as time and money allow. Involve the kids with what they might be interested in. Cleaning, replacing carpet, washing, routine maintenance.

First of all, thank you for your service. Every ones approach is different, I'm doing the body work first and so on. in your case 66fs is right get it usable and fun for your family. As time and $ permit, take on the next item . Just keep moving ahead even if slowly and don't get discouraged. Good luck with your project

Tim

I came home from many deployments to a pile of new parts, rebuilt a TR-6, and an old Jeep Gladiator that way. Once the home bills were caught up, I had an allowance. Barely been able to touch a wrench now that I've retired and got a "real job." As others have said, focus on the remaining mechanical first like suspension , brakes, and any other system you haven't yet been through. This will not only make the car safer, but a whole lot more fun to drive. Saving up for a paint job is nice, but bodywork can also be a pay-as-you-go process. An interior split over 4 or 5 paydays (seat covers one month, carpet the next, headliner, door cards, etc...) almost seems affordable. Stay safe.

I went for fire breathing dragon and have been dialing it back since and I like the way things have been turning out...