396-POWERED 1965 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA 4-SPEED

OVERVIEW

This 1965 Plymouth Barracuda is powered by a Police Pursuit 318cid Poly Head V8 that has been bored and stroked into a 396cid V8, which is backed by a rebuilt A-833 four-speed manual transmission equipped with a rebuilt Hurst shifter. Features include four-wheel disc brakes, dual Edelbrock carburetors, a Flaming River tilt steering column, dual electric exhaust cutouts, and a Ford nine-inch rear end with an Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential. Finished in Burnt Habanero Orange over a black vinyl interior, this Barracuda comes with vehicle history information, paperwork, restoration photos, car show materials, and a clear title.

EXTERIOR – FEATURES

Originally factory finished in silver metallic with a black racing stripe, the exterior was repainted Burnt Habanero Orange in 2017. Features include a removed front bumper, custom front filler panels, a black hood with dual hood scoops, hood pins, dual mirrors, a chrome fuel cap, Hurst badges, and a black rear bumper. The seller states that LED headlights have been installed and the running lights have been refurbished.

EXTERIOR - WHEELS AND TIRES

A set of 15-inch gray Vision Shift 148 aluminum wheels is wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.

INTERIOR – FEATURES

The front bucket seats and the rear seat are upholstered in black vinyl. Features include manual steering and windows, a rebuilt Hurst manual transmission shifter, a Flaming River tilt steering column, a three-spoke steering wheel with a black grip, a Hurst emblem, and a black dashboard.

The seller states that the following parts were replaced between 2017 and 2022 :

• Window felts and gaskets
• Front windshield and gasket 
• Gaskets and rubber for the doors and trunk
• Cabin floor pans and trunk pan
• Soundproofing front to back
• Carpeting 
• Door panels and rear trim panels
• Preformed seat foam
• Seat upholstery
• Headliner
• Sun visors, armrests, and rearview mirror
• Wiring harness
• Bosch tachometer and gauges
• Electrical components throughout
• Flaming River adjustable steering column

INTERIOR – GAUGES

A 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level, oil pressure, coolant temperature, and alternator are located ahead of the driver. An additional set of gauges for the oil pressure, coolant temperature, and voltage is mounted under the dashboard. The odometer reads 9,950 miles, but the true mileage on this vehicle is unknown.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

Power is provided by a Police Pursuit 318cid Poly Head V8 that has been bored and stroked into a 396cid V8. That is connected to an A-833 four-speed manual transmission that was rebuilt by Passon Performance of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania. During the engine build, the block was cleaned, sonic-tested, surfaced, and bored .060 over. The combustion chambers were relieved and new hardened valves with a three-way grind were installed with new bronze valve guides. In addition, the original valvetrain was refurbished. Engine starting and running videos can be seen below.

The seller states that the following parts have been replaced:

• Battery (2023)
• K1 Technologies forged 4340 steel four-inch stroker crankshaft
• Ross forged 9:1 flat-top racing pistons
• Molnar forged H-beam connecting rods
• Bullet Racing Cams pro/street camshaft ground for street use
• TRW piston rings
• Vandervell bearings
• Melling oil pump and pickup.
• Fel-Pro gaskets
• COMP Cams double-spring valves and seats, seals, locks, and keepers
• Custom-made high-performance pushrods 
• Mopar dual-quad intake manifold
• Two 600cfm Edelbrock carburetors with progressive linkage, high-volume electric fuel pump, and 3/8" fuel line from the fuel tank to the carburetors
• High-performance water pump with 180-degree thermostat
• Three-chamber aluminum radiator
• MSD electronic distributor with MSD Street Fire ignition and MSD Blaster 2 coil
• MSD high-performance plug wires
• Champion RJ12YC spark plugs
• Relocated oil filter
• Oil cooler with fan
• Electric radiator fan set for 200 degrees
• Heavy-duty alternator
• Bellcrank, Centerforce clutch, high-performance pressure plate, and throw-out bearing

UNDERCARRIAGE

This Barracuda is equipped with an independent front suspension and a solid rear drive axle. Braking is provided by manual four-wheel discs. A dual exhaust system with electric cutouts was installed.

The front suspension was rebuilt and fitted with these new parts between 2017 and 2022:

• Set of torsion bolts
• Oversized anti-sway bar
• Steering box
• 11-inch front disc brake conversion with all-new brake lines

The seller states that the following parts were installed between 2017 and 2023:

• Quick Performance Ford nine-inch rear axle with an Eaton Detroit Truetrac differential and 3.00:1 gear ratio, a new third member, a custom housing, and 31-spline axles
• Custom balanced driveshaft
• Airbag adjustable rear axle height control
• A four-link traction suspension system with heavy-duty gas shocks
• 10-inch rear disc brakes and extended boxed frame rails
• New fuel tank with a new float and sensor

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The seller will include the following vehicle history information and paperwork with the vehicle:

• Original 1965 and Motor Trend ads and stories about the 1965 Barracuda
• Documentation of the Formula S
• Photos of restoration
• History of the Barracuda
• History of the 318 Poly Head Police Pursuit engine

They have decoded the VIN as follows:

V857148455

• V - Valiant 8-cylinder
• 8 - Barracuda
• 5 - 1965
• 7 - St. Louis, Missouri
• 148455 - Production number of all vehicles produced in 1965

In addition, they have decoded the fender tag:

• AB = 31 - 273cid 4bbl
• D = 3 - 4-speed
• E = 5 - heater with defroster
• Q = 1 - AM music master/economy
• Z = 2 - Front bucket seats and console
• 817 – August 17, 1965
• 00222 – Factory invoice numbers
• V89 – Valiant Barracuda
• P4X - Black vinyl interior
• NN4 –Silver metallic, black racing stripe
• BB – Black interior doors, black interior dash