Questions About 1966 Plymouth Barracuda

[Chad]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and classic cars in general. I am considering buying thi 1966 Plymouth Barracuda. It runs and drives, needs interior work and carb work. The body is exceptionally straight everywhere but the rear driver's side panel. It has a 273 V8, full factory length console, sport steering wheel, factory a/c needs to be charged and a Chrysler Certicard. Paint is faded, interior needs recovered. I was wondering how much you guys might pay for this car. Give a ball park figure. Also, would it be hard to replace that panel? What is that panel called and where can I buy it? How much do you think it would cost to get one? How much would it cost to have someone install it? Thanks for being patient and answering all my questions.


-Chad

 

[Chad]

Here is the ad: http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=22227

 

[SSVDP]

I wouldn't want to pay more than $1200 for it but might go to $1400 or $1500 seeing it in person if it seemed like an honest original car. Looks like a decent car but you don't want to pay too much for it, it's great that it has AC. It "runs and drives" but has it been licensed and driven on the road? That makes a big difference to me. Quarter panels are hard to find for '66 Barracudas/Valiants, you might have a bit more luck finding one in Az but don't count on it. So you might have to have that panel repaired and that look like a lot of work for someone. Also I bet the seat covers are shot, they are available but I bet you'll need the foam too which is also available.

These cars are so affordable that yes the parts are worth more than the whole car. BUT it's a lot of work taking the thing apart, selling and then shipping all of those large heavy parts. So don't fall for the story about the back window being worth $500 'cause it wouldn't sell for $20 at a swap meet.

Also for $3500 to $4000 you can buy some nice driver '65 -'66 Barracudas, Valiants and Darts.

 

[Hell_Fish]

Carpet would cost you $350, seat covers are $500ish plus for orginal. If the AC "just needs a charge" chances are it needs a new dryer, lines, seals and a complete flush. The door panels look in good shape, but you may not like the speakers that were cut into them.

These are all things Im currently working with on my 65. Expect to pay

$75-$100 an hour for the body work. A quarter panel replacement would be about 2 to 3 days, so min is 16 hours. Even more if they have to repair what is there.

Building a car from the ground up is cool, but if you don't have skills to pull off all the work yourself(or really good friends) buy a finished car or a 95% finished car. Much cheaper in the long run.

 

[65cudalover]

I would agree with the others, having restored two of these babies I know what it takes and that they are only worth alot to those who love them or if they are a few of the rare formula s originals. I currently have a 65 formula s but alas it has a 318 not an original motor. I have spent a lot of time and money to restore it to more modern driving condition with front disc brakes and dual master cylinder and modern driveline. 14 inch later nice cuda rims ect. car is a good running beast! I have over 8k invested and still needs a good paint job and it is probably worth less than that if sold to another....This is just a real deal on the early cudas for some reason at this time. Even though they are becoming rarer day by day..... My last 66 cuda was a street strip car that ran low 13 second quarter miles and I had to save every slip spent on it as when an old man hit it my insurance company did not want to pay a dime on it, but I had spent over 10K on it and had the paperwork to show it and they had to pay me every dime of it! So if you do spend money save every piece of paper in a folder, make copies and insure it for what it is worth for sure! One must do what you like not what you think it is worth! But if you want a nice one already done you can find one early cuda for decent money or want to do the work go for it and have some fun!!!