THE BEGiNNING

  • Purchased in 2016, this is a 1968 Plymouth Barracuda.

    Small block V8 powered, 3 speed auto, 7.25 rear end, disc brakes and it came with a funky paintjob, lots of rust and some hidden frame damage.

    We took it down to almost nothing within the first year, learning along the way…

THE CONCEPT

  • Everything starts with an idea!!

    What if, back in 1968, Plymouth / Chrysler Motors had decided to officially enter the SCCA TransAm series with a fastback Barracuda. A few privateers did it, but Plymouth only arrived on the scene in 1970 with the famous Cuda T/A.

    Stretch the fenders, add power, side pipes, some really cool aero, and bring it to more modern safety racing standards. Here we go, we have the idea. Sprinkle in some clever engineering to push the rulebook like they did back in the day, and you have our 68 Barracuda T/A build.

  • Pencil sketches help put down the first ideas on paper, which then get refined on the computer using Photoshop.

    The last big step of the design process is to build the model in CAD, using measurements taken on the vehicle, or a 3D scan when available. The CAD model helps figure out packaging issues, refine the design and the lines of the vehicle, and rule out some of the original ideas sometimes.

  • 3D renders help visualize the final product, or WIP evolution of the design. On the left here for example, the hood design was different than our final design.

    The 3D visualization process also helps decide vehicle paint color, wheels, and various finishes throughout the build.

THE BUILD

  • The next phase, of course, is the hands-on build process. Using TIG, we built, bent, and welded the multiple rollcage tubes, suspensions brackets, tabs and gussets, as well as built the entire metal widebody. It was also the opportunity to fix some panel gaps, move a few cutlines and resolve various old manufacturing issues.

  • The exhaust was designed and built from scratch after running thousands of computer flow simulations to determine the best primary, secondary and tertiary runners lengths, as well as where and how to merge them together. Packaging over 50 inches of tubing per cylinder into the relatively tight engine bay of an A-body MOPAR proved difficult, which led to designing a very unique set of headers that wrap over the inner fenders and drop onto the sides and exit via a recess into the rockers on each side of the car.

    We built the entire exhaust system using Vibrant Performance 321 stainless steel mandrel bent tubing.

THE RIDE

  • Finished in Steel-It grey, the Cuda has a menacing matte grey & black look with the bronze Minilite wheels bringing a pop of color. All the chrome trim has either been deleted or redone in low-gloss black to match the theme of the vehicle.

    The “race livery” is designed by hand directly on the car and will be a constantly evolving feature of the vehicle.

  • The interior of the car features a pair of Recaro P1300 GT LW carbon fiber racing seats, a Momo steering wheel, Tilton pedal box with remote reservoirs mounted on the transmission tunnel.

    The fire extinguisher and power cut-off are centrally mounted between the occupants, while the maze of chromoly tubes making the rollcage are the ideal mounting points for the centerpiece of the interior design :

    a completely bespoke designed inboard cantilever rear coilover suspension setup featuring Penske 8300 series shocks with custom engraved remote reservoirs fitted with Swift springs.

Build Specs :

  • 1968 Plymouth Barracuda fastback body with extensive rollcage / chassis work

  • small block LA 318 V8 with KB piston,bored 030 over, 11.5:1 compression, Harland Sharp roller rockers, titanium valves, uprated valve springs, Edelbrock AirGap intake, Proform 650cfm 4 barrel carburetor, forged crankshaft and conrods, ported and polished heads

  • MOPAR A-833 4 speed gearbox with custom linkage kit

  • RAM clutch with hydraulic throwout bearing

  • custom designed 4 link triangulated rear suspension

  • HDK front torsion bar delete kit

  • QA1 front crossmember

  • PENSKE Racing shocks 8300 coilovers with remote reservoirs, custom built and fully adjustable rebound / compression

  • SWIFT Springs front & rear coilover springs

  • Minilite 16x9in wheels

  • Toyo R888R tires

  • AP RACING nascar 6 piston front brakes

  • Tilton pedal box with remotely adjustable brake bias

  • Tilton differential pump

  • Motion Raceworks steering column

  • MOMO steering wheel

  • RECARO P1300 GT LW carbon bucket seats

  • Luke 6 point harnesses

  • Derale dual radiator fans

  • VIBRANT PERFORMANCE hoses & fittings for fuel / oil / water

  • VIBRANT PERFORMANCE 321 stainless steel custom designed and built 4-2-1 headers and 3” exhaust system

  • RADIUM AUTO fuel cell surge tank with triple Walbro pumps

  • SW20 power steering pump

  • AIM pdm32 + 6” display + 12 button keypad + SmartyCam GP 3 + GPS09 & sensors + backup camera

  • LIFELINE fire suppression system and rollcage padding + rain light

  • ANTIGRAVITY H5-40-RS lithium battery

  • CERAKOTE ceramic coating on reservoirs, catch cans, headers, brackets …

  • STEEL-IT gray and black paint

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