"I get countless notes tucked on the windshield, asking me if it's for sale. It's too much fun to drive right now; it may never get restored." - Mark Ray
Fast Facts:
1970 Plymouth Barracuda convertible
Car Owner: Mark Ray, Avalon, California
Mopar Power
- Engine: This is an old-school swap - the OEM 318 was taken out and replaced by a 440 out of '70 Imperial; the engine was rebuilt for durability by Common's Auto Parts in South San Francisco. The prepped block and reconditioned bottom end was stuffed full of solid OEM-equivalents from Sealed Pro (pistons), Hastings (rings), and Melling (valvetrain and cam), while the top of the engine (intake, heads, exhaust) were left basically stock for the sake of appearance and ease of maintenance.
- Transmission: For durability, an overdrive five-speed TKO 600 PerfectFit kit by Keisler Engineering was added, complete with OEM-location short-throw shifter mount and extras. The hydraulic clutch option, for ease of shifting and steep parking on Bay area hills, was the big plus for the swap.
- Differential: 8-3/4 with 3.55 gearing
Sure Grip
- Suspension: Stock with no major changes
- Brakes: Front disc conversion by The Right Stuff
- Wheels and Rubber: Factory 14-inch Magnum 500 wheels
High Impact
- Body: Rough in some ways; most people would decide to rebuild it. Mark is keeping it as-is for now since he enjoys the response it gets as an apparent 'barn find' on the street.
- Paint: like the plate says TX9 (which is the factory black code; the 20-footer pigment is probably pretty close). Original was FJ5 Limelight, still visible in door jams and on the original elastomeric bumper, covered during prior owner's repaint.
- Interior: Semi-patina black vinyl for that lived-in look; factory A/C unit means its stays comfortable from the Mohave Desert to Donner Pass. Console was left out and new carpet was installed when the new five-speed was installed. Oh, and the original color was white top, white interior.