VALIANT BARRACUDA FRONT SHEET METAL

[A/MP]

Looked at some B&W pics for a 1965 Valiant and Barracuda. Front valance, hood and fenders the same?

 

[RPMagoo]

I believe that's true. At that time, A barracuda was a model of A Valiant. -- This is a picture of My 65 Valiant with a, bolt in, Barracuda grill.

 

[Lee Robinson]

I believe that's true. At that time, A barracuda was a model of A Valiant. -- This is a picture of My 65 Valiant with a, bolt in, Barracuda grill. View attachment 1715063611

Hood and fenders are the same. Lower Valance is different between Valiant and Barracuda.

 

[Deemo]

I believe that's true. At that time, A barracuda was a model of A Valiant. -- This is a picture of My 65 Valiant with a, bolt in, Barracuda grill. View attachment 1715063611

Was it an easy swap or did you have extra bolts? Looking to do the swap on mine

 

[64conv65hard]

Turn signals are on the Valance on the Valliant's, on the grill on Barracuda.

 

[RPMagoo]

-- Was it an easy swap or did you have extra bolts? --

-- I didn't do it. I was told by the previous owner, that "it was a direct bolt in" -- We didn't discuss the parking lights. -- I didn't see any signs of extra bolts.

 

[JDMopar]

I can't remember if it was 64 or 65, but one of those years the Barracuda fenders were different than the Valiant. The Valiant fenders had a wider spread on the upper body lines of the fender, on the door end. I may be remembering this entirely wrong, but I remember it sticking out in my mind when I was hunting a fender for a 65 Barracuda I had 30 something years ago.

 

[ddartdude]

The 64 Valiant had the wider spread body line on the front fender. The 64 Barracuda, 65 Barracuda and 65 Valiant had the same fenders. On the red 65 Valiant shown in post 2, just the grille was changed to a 64/65 Barracuda.

 

[RPMagoo]

-- On the red 65 Valiant shown in post 2, just the grille was changed to a 64/65 Barracuda. --

-- That's correct.

 

[JDMopar]

Thanks! I knew it was something to that effect....but it's been a LONG time since I've even thought about it. Since I'm on a semi, half hearted quest for a decent 64-65 Barracuda body.....that info will come in handy!

 

[Deemo]

Yeah. I just want the lights in the grill. Now I just need to find me a 'cuda!!

 

[StrokerMcG]

I've done 2 of these, one on my 2dht in 66, and lately on CUDAVRT, Two holes needs to be punched in the radiator support so the pigtails from the 'Cuda turn signals will have sufficient clearance. Also I made an L bracket to help support the outboard sections of the grille, at the top.
Biggest problem was crafting a hood release. However the later '65 Plymouth Valiant hood had a latch release built into the "Plymouth" emblem on the hood front. Didn't know this before, and it is a bolt in, much easier than rigging up a cable release.

Stroker

 

[Deemo]

I already have the release in the logo. So that'll be an easy swap. Thanks for the info

 

[clifcuda65]

Very easy to do... Just Bolts up to existing holes... I did it to my 63 Valiant many years ago...