Built from 1964 to 1974 over three generations, the Plymouth Barracuda was only offered as a two-door (both coupe and convertible). But that’s not to say that Plymouth did not consider a four-door version of the pony car.
While not as famous as the four-door Mustang concept that Ford built in the 1960s, the four-door Barracuda was more than just an idea on Plymouth’s drawing board.
The four-door was mentioned by former Chrysler employee Roger Johnson in a story written in 2006. He recalled seeing a red four-door Barracuda at the Highland Park facility in 1969. The sedan was also mentioned in the October 1969 issue of Mechanix Illustrated.
As we already know, the Barracuda was never offered as a four-door, so Plymouth most likely scrapped the project right before the third-gen pony arrived in showrooms. Sadly, there’s not a lot of info as to what happened, but the four-door prototype was probably destroyed and quickly forgotten.
It also comes with a period-correct engine under the hood in the form of a 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8. Yeah, it’s not a HEMI or a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB, but it’s no slouch either at 275 horsepower. All told, Dave made sure that his four-door creation is as authentic as a factory-built Plymouth.
Unfortunately, this intriguing Mopar didn’t get as much attention as it deserves. And that’s mostly because the car was placed in storage after being paraded at a few events in 2016. It didn’t resurface until 2022 when its owner decided to part ways with it.
The Barracuda crossed the auction block at Kissimmee 2023, where it made a few waves due to its unique body layout. Yes, that’s a bit more than the usual 340-powered 1970 Barracuda but surprisingly low for a truly unique build in Concours-ready condition.
While not as famous as the four-door Mustang concept that Ford built in the 1960s, the four-door Barracuda was more than just an idea on Plymouth’s drawing board.
The company toyed with the concept right before the third-generation Barracuda arrived in late 1969. And at least two sources claim that Plymouth even built a prototype.
The four-door was mentioned by former Chrysler employee Roger Johnson in a story written in 2006. He recalled seeing a red four-door Barracuda at the Highland Park facility in 1969. The sedan was also mentioned in the October 1969 issue of Mechanix Illustrated.
The magazine claimed that the Barracuda “has a new look for 1970 that includes two- and four-door hardtops and a convertible.”
As we already know, the Barracuda was never offered as a four-door, so Plymouth most likely scrapped the project right before the third-gen pony arrived in showrooms. Sadly, there’s not a lot of info as to what happened, but the four-door prototype was probably destroyed and quickly forgotten.
Until some 47 years later when Dave Walden put together the four-door Barracuda that Plymouth never sold.
Perhaps inspired by the story of Roger Johnson, Walden built a slightly longer 1970 Barracuda with an extra pair of doors and enhanced rear-seat legroom in 2016. The Mopar not only looks surprisingly authentic inside and out, but it also comes with a broadcast sheet, a reproduction window sticker, a legal VIN, and a title that says “Plymouth 4-Door Barracuda.”
Perhaps inspired by the story of Roger Johnson, Walden built a slightly longer 1970 Barracuda with an extra pair of doors and enhanced rear-seat legroom in 2016. The Mopar not only looks surprisingly authentic inside and out, but it also comes with a broadcast sheet, a reproduction window sticker, a legal VIN, and a title that says “Plymouth 4-Door Barracuda.”
It also comes with a period-correct engine under the hood in the form of a 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8. Yeah, it’s not a HEMI or a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB, but it’s no slouch either at 275 horsepower. All told, Dave made sure that his four-door creation is as authentic as a factory-built Plymouth.
Unfortunately, this intriguing Mopar didn’t get as much attention as it deserves. And that’s mostly because the car was placed in storage after being paraded at a few events in 2016. It didn’t resurface until 2022 when its owner decided to part ways with it.
The Barracuda crossed the auction block at Kissimmee 2023, where it made a few waves due to its unique body layout. Yes, that’s a bit more than the usual 340-powered 1970 Barracuda but surprisingly low for a truly unique build in Concours-ready condition.
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