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I bought this 74 Barracuda from Howardton Auto in
Reidsville
N.C.
in 1976. I used my inheritance I received from my father. It was an one owner
and in great shape. I drove the car daily in
Eden
N.C.
while I lived there. It didn’t take long, living in the Red Mud areas of
North Carolina
, to find out the original white interior was going to be hard to keep clean.
Back then it was not hard to find these cars in junk yards so I changed the
color to its present black color.
After 125,000 miles the 318ci, 2 barrel carburetor, single exhaust motor
needed a short block rebuild and it
was done by, what many call, a shade tree mechanic. No major machine work done
to the heads or block. It was just a simple backyard rebuild that came out
perfect. It was at this time I also decided to get the fish painted. The white
stripe was removed and the original Forest Green Metallic Paint was the color of
choice. The paint job didn't come out as well as the motor build. It looked
great at first but was just a short time before the cracks started showing there
ugly self and before long the whole car was looking worse than it was before it
was painted. In 1990 the fish was still my primary transportation. The shade
tree motor build had lasted another 100,000 miles and was due for another
rebuild. Yes, that’s 200,000 miles I had put on the car so far. I decided to
park the car at that time because I had other transportation.
Fast forward 5 years to 1995. It was time to fix her up again. I started
with the motor. I had Terry Walker of
Roanoke
Virginia
to do a long block rebuild and balance on the 318. The build plan was to put a
Holly 4 barrel with one of the intakes that was used on 360. Dual exhaust, 3000
stall converter and a street cam to make it rock just a bit. Wow what a plan
too. With the stock 273 diff. and the new motor build I get some really great
gas mileage with plenty of get up and go to boot for those Cruises.
Next was the paint and body restoration. I had P&J Auto Repair of
Danville Virginia do the work. I, like most collectors, had no clue the extent
of the work that this fish was in need of. I won’t go into all the work done.
I will just let you look around the site and see that for yourself.
I went back with the original Mopar Green Metallic paint but also put the
white stripe back on. I removed the luggage rack that came on the car.
Lastly, I had the seats of this Barracuda redone by Rudy’s of
Martinsville
Virginia
and stayed with the black color, head liner, carpet were also done. |
