1969 Barracuda Fastback
1969 Barracuda - project introduction:
After my move from Europe/Austria to the USA, I kept my eyes open for a replacement for my Mustang Mach1. Equipped with an endoscope camera, paint thickness gauge, compression tester, infrared thermometer, etc., I inspected quite a few cars.
First I was still flirting with a 66/67 Charger but then switched to 67-69 Barracuda models. The Charger was in the end too big and the compact/classic/sporty appearance of the Barracuda has finally addressed me more.
After hunting down a rust-free Bonneville for a friend, it was definitely time to find something suitable for me. After several defeats, I became aware of a 69 Barracuda in Canada. Since the car was within a 6 hours distance and I had never been to Niagara Falls, I arranged a viewing.
The car still has about 90% of the original paint, and what was really important to me was the body is stainless, except for two small places on the rear window frame. The vehicle came with a NOS front fender, a NOS door panel, and other original parts. The history of the vehicle is almost completely verifiable.
In 1986, the car was taken to Canada. The seller, who is by the way a real gentleman and well-known member in this great forum, equipped the car with a 400 Big Block. The engine has a 500 stroker kit with Edelbrock aluminum heads and delivers between 550 and 600 hp (according to Dyno test). The power is transmitted to the road via a 727 gearbox in conjunction with an 8¾ "axle with Detroit Locker over 15" wheels.
Since I am more of a preserver than a racer, I want to bring the car back to original, at least that's the plan. Besides the drive train and the air scoop, the car is original and equipped with almost all options.
Anyway, the fact is, a lot of fastbacks are totally messed up or rotted. Bodies with original sheet metal in good condition seem to become rare, so I am quite happy that I found this rust free Barracuda.
The next steps are sorting information, comparing prices, and reading relevant literature. Here are a few pictures of my prevention against the mid-life crisis.
Greetings from Ohio,
Wolfgang
1969 Barracuda - project introduction:
After my move from Europe/Austria to the USA, I kept my eyes open for a replacement for my Mustang Mach1. Equipped with an endoscope camera, paint thickness gauge, compression tester, infrared thermometer, etc., I inspected quite a few cars.
First I was still flirting with a 66/67 Charger but then switched to 67-69 Barracuda models. The Charger was in the end too big and the compact/classic/sporty appearance of the Barracuda has finally addressed me more.
After hunting down a rust-free Bonneville for a friend, it was definitely time to find something suitable for me. After several defeats, I became aware of a 69 Barracuda in Canada. Since the car was within a 6 hours distance and I had never been to Niagara Falls, I arranged a viewing.
The car still has about 90% of the original paint, and what was really important to me was the body is stainless, except for two small places on the rear window frame. The vehicle came with a NOS front fender, a NOS door panel, and other original parts. The history of the vehicle is almost completely verifiable.
In 1986, the car was taken to Canada. The seller, who is by the way a real gentleman and well-known member in this great forum, equipped the car with a 400 Big Block. The engine has a 500 stroker kit with Edelbrock aluminum heads and delivers between 550 and 600 hp (according to Dyno test). The power is transmitted to the road via a 727 gearbox in conjunction with an 8¾ "axle with Detroit Locker over 15" wheels.
Since I am more of a preserver than a racer, I want to bring the car back to original, at least that's the plan. Besides the drive train and the air scoop, the car is original and equipped with almost all options.
Anyway, the fact is, a lot of fastbacks are totally messed up or rotted. Bodies with original sheet metal in good condition seem to become rare, so I am quite happy that I found this rust free Barracuda.
The next steps are sorting information, comparing prices, and reading relevant literature. Here are a few pictures of my prevention against the mid-life crisis.
Greetings from Ohio,
Wolfgang
