While not as well known as Ford’s four-door Mustang design from the 1960s, the four-door Barracuda is more than just an idea on Plymouth’s drawing board. Just before the third-generation Barracuda appeared in late 1969, the company tested the idea. According to at least two reports, Plymouth even built a prototype.
Former Chrysler employee Roger Johnson highlighted four doors in a 2006 report. In 1969, he saw a red four-door Barracuda at the Highland Park facility. The model was also mentioned in the October 1969 issue of Mechanix Illustrated. According to the magazine, the Barracuda “has a new design for 1970, with two- and four-door hardtops and a convertible.”
Because the Barracuda was never marketed as a four-door, it’s very possible that Plymouth abandoned the project before the third-generation pony debuted in showrooms. Unfortunately, not much is known about what happened, but the four-door prototype was most likely destroyed and briefly forgotten. Until Dave Walden assembled the four-door Barracuda that Plymouth never sold 47 years later.
Walden made a slightly longer 1970 Barracuda with an additional set of doors and improved rear-seat legroom in 2016, possibly inspired by the Roger Johnson story. Not only does the Mopar look very real inside and out, but it also comes with a flyer, a replica window sticker, a legal VIN number and the title “Plymouth 4-Door Barracuda”.
It also has a period-appropriate engine under the hood, a 340 cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8. It’s hardly a HEMI or a 440 cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB, but with 275 horsepower, it’s no slouch either. Overall, Dave makes sure his four-door is as genuine as a factory-made Plymouth.
Unfortunately, this fascinating Mopar didn’t get the attention it deserved. That’s mainly because the car was in storage after being paraded a few times in 2016. It didn’t reappear until 2022, when its owner decided to sell it. Barracuda was auctioned at Kissimmee 2023, where it caused a stir thanks to its unusual body configuration.
However, the bidders were not as pleased as the bystanders, and the Barracuda was sold for $121,000. (including fees). Yes, it’s a bit taller than the average 340-power-powered 1970 Barracuda, but that’s a surprisingly affordable price tag for a truly unusual build in Concours-ready condition. The bespoke vintage is expected to sell for at least $200,000 and up to $300,000. Check out the video below to see for yourself.
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