Brian Zane, who lives in Beacon, isn’t a car guy who wrings his hands before deciding to buy a classic. Previous purchases include a ’57 Chevy, ’69 Chevelle and ’72 Datsun 240Z.
In September, an old high school friend spotted the Barracuda at a car show. He called Zane, told him the car was “spectacular” and emailed photos. Zane called the owner. Within the week he had mailed him a check for $26,000. The car was delivered soon after.
“I just like the looks of the Barracuda — and the idea that I don’t have to use a wrench on anything, because all the work’s been done,” he said. “It’s a car you don’t often see.”
Zane said the previous owner bought the car at an auction in Florida 11 years earlier and had it restored. “It has a factory manual four-speed and has been upgraded with disc brakes, fuel injection, vintage air conditioning, a big aluminum radiator, new tires, 15-inch wheels and a new gas tank with electric fuel pump,” Zane said. “The 273 cubic-inch V8 engine was rebuilt and has only 600 miles on it.”
Repainted with the original metallic bronze (one of 13 options), Zane said rust was not an issue because the car was originally from California. The odometer shows less than 3,000 miles. “I’m sure there’s quite a few miles on the car — I just don’t know if it’s 103,000,” he said. He hasn’t yet calculated the gas mileage.
Zane says the car rides “like a truck” but adds that after hauling around three children in station wagons and minivans, the Barracuda is “a joy to own and drive.”
“I’ve driven it as far as Rhinebeck, and it was flawless,” he said. “Shifting is smooth and excellent.” He would like to add power steering, an option available for $82 [about $890 today] when the car was built 59 years ago.
Other options offered in 1965 were four interior vinyl colors, positraction rear end, racing stripes, spinner wheel covers, a 3-spoke steering wheel, tinted glass, power brakes and variable-speed windshield wipers.
The Specs
Assembly: California, Missouri, Michigan, Ontario
Class: Pony car
Model: 2-door fastback coupe
1st generation production: 1964-66
1965 production: 64,596
Engines: 273 cubic-inch V8; 170 and 225 cubic-inch slant-6
Carburetors: 2-barrel, 4-barrel
Horsepower: 101 to 273
Transmissions: 4-speed manual, 3-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
0 to 60 mph: 8.2 seconds (V8)
Top speed: 118 mph
Curb weight: 2,726 to 3,100 pounds
Fuel economy: 15 mpg
Price: $2,453 ($24,553 today)
The interior is original, including factory vinyl bucket seats and AM radio. New carpet was installed because, Zane explained, the 14-square-foot rear window lets in sunlight. When the rear bench seat is folded, it creates a 7-foot-long storage area.
Zane has driven the car at up to 70 mph on Interstate 84. “It’s not a drag car, although she’s got a little pep in her step, for sure,” he said.
The Barracuda saw only minor changes between 1964 and 1966. That original design leaned heavily on the Plymouth Valiant. It was developed to compete with the Ford Mustang, whose initial design was based on another model, the Falcon.
Chrysler discontinued the Barracuda in 1974. By then, eight engines were available, from the 198 cubic-inch slant-6 to the 440 cubic-inch V8.
Thank you for showing the 1965 Barracuda. On returning home from my tour in Vietnam in 1969, I bought a gold 1968 4-door with a flowered top and interior. I met more people with that car! Thanks for the memories.