JANUARY 2025: A 1966 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA HAS A VERY COOL RETRO ENGINE SWAP

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The first Plymouth Barracuda debuted on April 1, 1964, only 16 days before the Ford Mustang galloped into the lead in the pony car race.

The 1964-66 Barracudas triggered two reactions: people either loved it or hated it. The fact that smaller domestic cars with a sporty flair became known as pony cars instead of fish cars indicates first-gen Plymouth Barracudas were not as well-received as Ford Mustangs in a love/hate sense.

The scarcity of 1964-66 Plymouth Barracudas helped build their dare-to-be-different car guy fan base over the years and now their unusual appearance makes the cars rock stars at shows.

MyStarCollectorCar discovered a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda at a show and was fortunate enough to connect with its owner, Terry Fisher.

Terry’s ’66 Barracuda has undergone some major improvements that enhance its overall performance due to the fact his Barracuda now sports Mopar’s famous 340 small block. The 340 was Chrysler’s little powerhouse and the iconic engine truly embraced the performance angle during its 5-year production run from 1968 until 1975.

The retro 340 was a big power boost for Terry’s 1966 Barracuda and fit right into its engine compartment. His lightweight Barracuda was a perfect match for the 340 swap and gave the car a big upgrade in raw performance, particularly since the Mopar small block also sports a beefy 4-barrel carburetor setup. The car’s power-to-weight ratio is now an excellent mathematical mix.

The car has plenty of horses under its hood to gallop down the road, but the Barracuda is also able to whoa up in a hurry because it has a front disc/rear drum braking system that can handle the extra speed provided by a 340.

Terry’s Barracuda has aftermarket race seats that would be at home in a track car, but he told MyStarCollectorCar it is not used as a race car. Instead, he is comfortable behind the wheel on regular roads  where Terry keeps his foot out of the gas pedal because the car is forced to work harder at higher speeds with its lower rear gears and Terry wants to pamper his Barracuda.

The car also has an aftermarket electric fan system to help keep it cool during the hot summer months. Additionally, his Barracuda’s 340 breathes a little easier because the engine has headers to get rid of its exhaust in a hurry.

The Barracuda does not have power steering because it was built for performance and not creature comforts, a philosophy embraced by car guys who like muscle cars.

MyStarCollectorCar learned Terry comes from a family that leans toward the Ford brand and asked him how he ended up with a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda.

BY: Jim Sutherland

Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section. 

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