1st/2nd Gen Barracuda Handling

I always hear what a great handling car the Barracuda "S" is, but compared to what? Other muscle cars? Corvettes? The "S" was offered with stiffer leafs/torsion bars, sway bar, wider tires etc., but how did this benefit the handling compared to a stocker? Did it result if a very poor ride quality? Also, what improvements besides nitrogen shocks and radial tires would benefit an "S" model?
Thanks.

Elmog