I am not restoring another car... or am I.....

[Jim Kueneman]

So I was retired from restoration until I came to Moparty and stopped on the way to see a car that I thought was too rusty for me. Well I saw it in person and it is not as bad as the photos the owner sent. What do you guys think of this project..... 1968 Barracuda 340 Formula S..... The owner bought it from a passed buddy who bought it new. He has known the car since new. I am not an expert on where and if the block is stamped with the VIN (help here, where should he look?) but it looks like it has never been touched and he can't remember the motor every being out or apart.... It has been hit in the back (the reason it was taken off the road) and needs a bit of work but well within my wheelhouse. It started and backed out of the shed.

The redline tires are cool. Oh and he has the build sheet as well as the fender tag.

CAR: Plymouth Barracuda 2 Door Sports Hardtop
ENGINE: 340cid 4-bbl HP V8
TRANSMISSION: 3-Speed Automatic
TIRES: E70x14 Red Sidewall, steel belted
MODEL YEAR: 1968
BUILD DATE: December 11.
AXLE: 3.23 Rear Axle Ratio, Sure Grip
INTERIOR: Deluxe Trim Grade, Vinyl Bucket Seats. Black Interior.
PAINT: Medium Gold Metallic (Dodge), Ember Gold Metallic (Plymouth), Sovereign Gold Metallic (Chrysler, Imperial).
OTHER: Black (Dodge, Plymouth), Formal Black (Chrysler, Imperial) Upper Door Frame Color. Black Horizontal Accent Stripe.

MOLDINGS:
19: Wide Sill Mouldings
25: Drip Rail Mouldings
30: Body Belt Mouldings
78: Wheel Lip Mouldings

ABC OPTIONS:
F7: Barracuda Formula S Package
R1: AM Radio

abc OPTIONS:
a6: Console
b4: Bucket Seats

 

[joel d. snyder]

go for it! please! not many of us have the talent you do for bringing these cars back.

 

[mpgmike]

Please do! Sans the automatic, my favorite car ever. I really don't want another project, but I certainly would NOT turn that poor puppy away. (I had to post something so I could be subscribed, you know.)

 

[nutz]

save it for the mopar gods to live again

 

[68Bee]

No p/s or p/b? Go for it Jim. We used to yak way back on FBBO(under ‘oldbee’). My Bee is finally back from body/paint after 8yrs. Jeff

 

[Jim Kueneman]

No p/s or p/b? Go for it Jim. We used to yak way back on FBBO(under ‘oldbee’). My Bee is finally back from body/paint after 8yrs. Jeff

View attachment 1716454350

Hi Jeff... you at MoParty? The wife and I arrived today.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Please do! Sans the automatic, my favorite car ever. I really don't want another project, but I certainly would NOT turn that poor puppy away. (I had to post something so I could be subscribed, you know.)

Thanks for the vote of confidence... where it OK? We passed through there on the way to Moparty.

 

[68Bee]

Hi Jeff... you at MoParty? The wife and I arrived today.

Sadly no, grandson & I shooting a 4-target match tomorrow. Both of you have a good time. Look for Doug(dvw) with a brownish NSS Dodge from Michigan. Met him & wife at Quaker couple years ago. He’s trying for under 9.00’s.

 

[mpgmike]

Thanks for the vote of confidence... where it OK? We passed through there on the way to Moparty.

I'm in the NE sector, just south of Wagoner.

 

[JDMopar]

That car has a lot of potential. I heard that SPI stock went up today for some reason! If it got VIN stamps on the engine/transmission, they will be towards the top of the mating edges of the bellhousing and where it bolts to the motor. Usually stamped right next to each other. One on the block and another one on the bellhousing. Have fun at Moparty!

 

[Jim Kueneman]

That car has a lot of potential. I heard that SPI stock went up today for some reason! If it got VIN stamps on the engine/transmission, they will be towards the top of the mating edges of the bellhousing and where it bolts to the motor. Usually stamped right next to each other. One on the block and another one on the bellhousing. Have fun at Moparty!

Behind the distributor?

 

[66fs]

My 68 383 does not have the VIN stamped on the block. The original 383, trans is swapped, and I cannot remember if it was stamped or not.

 

[Desoto291hemi]

Man,,you need to get that Fish and put it back on the road .
Look at it,,,it’s all there ! And it starts and runs !
From the pics it looks all original,,,,that will make a sweet time capsule for someone .
And documentation too,,,,you have the talent to fix this old gal .

You need to come out of retirement for this one .

Tommy

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Please do! Sans the automatic, my favorite car ever. I really don't want another project, but I certainly would NOT turn that poor puppy away. (I had to post something so I could be subscribed, you know.)

 

[mygasser]

yep, all the above Jim. it'll save you being sat twiddling your thumbs not having anything to do now the others are finished . you know it makes sense.
neil.

 

[R4Sedan]

Jim, I think you should do it. I like watching along and your talent.

 

[Lift&Move]

A Diamond in the Rough!
Someday, finds like this will pass into history!

 

[jeff alder]

Jim,
If you are looking for someone to talk you out of it, you are on the wrong website! 340 S Car...no brainer my friend...SAVE THE FISH

 

[JDMopar]

Behind the distributor?

Yes, one VIN stamped on each side of the joint of the engine/bellhousing mating area. Top edge of each one.

 

[DartManPlum340]

Please do it! I've enjoyed all your other builds! The weather in AZ should be getting pretty good about now.

 

[65dartcharger]

You can do magic to that car. Go get it and do a full blown restoration on it. It will turn out great!

 

[racerdan80]

Go for it! Your A100 was a work of art

 

[340sFastback]

Would be great to see a restoration thread on that one.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Serious question. He wants me to make an offer. It seems like it could be a $40k car to the right person if done to concours standards and low - mid 30's in excellent condition. He has a lot of the metal needed to fix the rear end from a donor car and 2 good rear bumpers and brackets so that is likely a good $1000 in parts I don't have to buy. It does have some sentimental value but he does really want to see me restore in my apparently in-famous way so that may end up as a wash. I think a few years ago it was offered to me for $8k. The last thing I want to do is insult him with a low ball offer. I am not looking to maximize profits when it is done, I just want to help bring the car back to better than its former glory for him. I was thinking more in the $5k-$6k range after seeing it. It really does need a lot of metal work from the door back from the accident as the quarters probably have to come off to get it square again.

Thoughts? Thanks,

Jim

 

[mygasser]

5-6k sounds fair to me and not insulting at all
neil.