Tom Skjonsberg's Hemi 'Cuda...
Tom Skjonsberg's Hemi 'Cuda is the car Ma Mopar should have built back in 1969.
Looks like a factory install,...
Looks like a factory install, doesn't it? Joey's Place in Edmonton did the body-resto and Hemi-installation work and made it all look original.
White buckets/rear bench and...
White buckets/rear bench and AM radio were original equipment on this car in 1969, but the Hurst (and the A-833 under it) weren't.
What if Chrysler had offered the 426 Hemi as a factory option on the Plymouth Barracuda before 1970? That's the idea behind the 100-point restification of Tom Skjonsberg's '69 Barracuda convertible.
Before Tom brought it home to Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, this '69 had three previous owners. The first owner won it in a prize drawing held by the Kinsman Club of Calgary at the Calgary Stampede. As built and awarded then, it was red with a white top and white bucket seat interior, with a 225 Slant Six under the hood.
Tom bought it as a driver in 1994 and decided to make it a phantom Hemi. The body was restored by Joey's Place in Edmonton, Alberta, who replaced the quarters, floorpans, trunk floor, and front fenders, and applied the basecoat/clearcoat black finish. They also installed the Hemi powertrain, which came from a Hurst-built '68 Hemi Dart (with the engine rebuilt by Lee's Brothers Hi Performance Racing Engines in Red Deer). Reproduction interior and top parts came from YearOne, and what they didn't supply came off three parts cars. Joey's Place also did the top and interior installs.
This phantom Hemi 'Cuda is now one of Tom's show-and-go cars, trailered to out-of-town events and driven to local shows (weather permitting).
Imagine if this was a factory build. Now, imagine what the bottom line on its window sticker would read!
Hood stripes and scoops were...
Hood stripes and scoops were on the Barracuda option list in 1969, as were redline tires. More functional versions of each were in the works for 1970.
Fast Facts
'69 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda convertible
Tom Skjonsberg, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
Restored by Joey's Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Mopar Power
Engine:
The one you couldn't get as a factory option in a Barracuda '69---the 426 Hemi. Sourced from a '68 Hurst Hemi Dart, then treated to an original-parts rebuild--starting with a .030-inch overbore--by Lee's Brothers Hi Performance Racing Engines, Red Deer, Alberta.Transmission:
A-833, with a non-console-stick Hurst shifter.RearEnd:
A Dana 60 that didn't have to be narrowed because it came out of the same Hemi Dart that the engine and transmission did. It's got 35-spline Strange axles, 4.10 cogs, and a limited-slip differential.Sure Grip
Suspension:
Restored front torsion bar/rear leaf spring.Brakes:
Wilwood disc brakes in front, 11-inch Mopar drums in back. No power assist because there's no room for a power brake booster in the Hemi-stuffed engine bay.Wheels:
15x61/2-inch steelies with correct '69 Plymouth dog-dish caps.Tires:
repro 205/70R15 redlines all around.High Impact
Body:
Original '69 Barracuda convertible body restored by Joey's Place, Edmonton, Alberta. Rear quarters, floorpans, trunk floor, and front fenders were replaced (all but front fenders are repro); a Hemi K-member from a donor '68 Hemi Dart was installed; paint is black basecoat/clearcoat); and stripes, hoodscoops, and the rear luggage rack were installed by Joey's Place. Parts not supplied by YearOne came from three parts cars.Interior:
Original white bucket seat interior was restored using YearOne repro seat kit and other supplies by Joey's Place, Edmonton, Alberta. Sound system is OEM Mopar AM radio with centre-dash speaker, augmented by a 3-inch exhaust system behind the Hemi.Top:
New top and mechanical parts sourced from YearOne and installed by Joey's Place, Edmonton, Alberta.
The Hemi inside Tom Skjonsberg's...
The Hemi inside Tom Skjonsberg's '69 'Cuda droptop is original, down to its twin Carters under the big air cleaner.
When was the last time you...
When was the last time you saw this graphic on a '69 'Cuda?
If Chrysler did offer a Hemi...
If Chrysler did offer a Hemi as an option in the '69 Barracuda line, do you think they would have upgraded the optional decklid-mounted luggage rack to something a bit stronger?
Underhood space is at a premium...
Underhood space is at a premium with a Hemi in an A-Body's engine bay. Note lack of a power brake booster.
YearOne supplied the reproduction...
YearOne supplied the reproduction top, plus the top workings, for Joey's Place to install.
The rear view shows '69-only...
The rear view shows '69-only Barracuda taillights and rear trim. Parts that YearOne didn't supply were refurbished originals off three parts cars.