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Convoluted, yes that is a good way to describe the story of the Barracuda. It didn't start out as "I think I'll go out and get me a '64 Plymouth". It did start when I decided to sell a 1944 Willys MB. The Willys had been sitting in the drive way for about a year with a for sale sign, and only one person interested. But that person had no money, only desire. But it seems that his brother had obtained a '64 Plymouth Barracuda as a driver car. One night the kid came out to visit our daughter, driving the Plymouth. I looked it over, almost complete in number 2 condition (at least it ran), minor body damage, trashed interior, 4 speed transmission that didn't shift, and a 273 V8 motor that smoked like a power company chimney. I looked, laughed and went back in the house. Jody of course said, "What an ugly little car!!!." When it came time for the kid to leave, the 'Cuda would not start. It had found a new home and wanted to stay. So he left it here to come back and get it tomorrow. Well tomorrow came and his brother came up with an offer. "Trade you the 'Cuda for the Willys". And of course Jody said, "What an ugly little car!!" So of course, I towed the Willys over to their house, traded pink slips and keys and the deal was done. I got the car started, and drove it around the block. That about a mile in distance. It had a bad clutch, bad brakes, bad transmission, bad radio and did I mention the engine smoked? So the little Barracuda was moved to the side yard, behind the fence, out of site of the neighbors and others. And then I started to think about what the heck am I going to do with a '64 'Cuda? At that point in time, work went crazy and I had no time to spend on the car. So, for about 2 ˝ years the 'Cuda sat. Occasionally I would have a little time and go out and take something apart. Jody says I'm real good at taking things apart, but the putting back together - well… So the car sat, and sat. I had to get one of the tires fixed, it went flat just sitting. About a year and ˝ ago, I finally figured out what I wanted to do with the 'Cuda. I wanted to make it "Cool". Of course Jody said " But it's such an ugly little car". I argued that it is not ugly, only homely and we can improve on that. So I cut off the door handles (I had always wanted to do that), cut out the truck, and installed a 16 gal fuel cell, and the largest battery I could locate at the time. I patched up the holes and replaced rusted out panels with hand formed ones. I was looking at the wiring one day when I noticed that the main power lead from the firewall to the ignition was completely melted through. So I ripped out all of the wires in the car and installed a Painless wiring harness. Let me say this it was not painless. There are more wires, and as with most kits and things they assume you are building a Chevy, and occasionally point out the exceptions for non-Chevy applications. Well with my form of body work done, I took it over to the painter, "No problem, but it will take a couple of months, cause I'm sort of backed up now" - followed with - "And I can do flames, no problem." Well, most of you know the painful 7 ˝ months of "I guarantee it will be done in two weeks," that we all went through, most of you thought I was hallucinating or something. The car was to eventually be painted with Rain Forest Green metallic, clear coat, and three colors of flames: yellow to orange, and if you look real close, red on the tips., Obnoxious! As the car was going to be done in two weeks, I had Harry (Viking Upholstery) do the interior seats and door panels in Oct 2000. The car wasn't ready but the upholstery filled the patio room at the Christmas party for all to see. In January the car was going to be done in two weeks, so I went to Hawaii Racing in Simi and bought a new engine, clutch, and a bunch of other stuff. And all during the 7 ˝ months I was combing catalogs and getting stuff for a car that I didn't have. I still have two external mirrors on back order. The car came back from the painters in April this year, and out went the 273 and in went the Mopar 360/380 engine, Lakewood bell housing, and Center Force clutch. The headers that were guaranteed to fit didn't, seems the Lakewood housing is different shape than the stock, and wasn't guaranteed "you scratched and bent it did you." There were five of us and about five hours attempting to get the headers and motor all together. Then we gave it up and installed the motor sans headers. Film at eleven to solve that one. The car is all together and made its maiden voyage on June 9 to the Route 66 Car show. So far it is a handful to drive, a lot of horses and a small car. And by the by, Jody stills thinks its "a homely little car," but I think it has made it to Cool with a capital "M" as in MoPar. Dwight & Jody Emerson, Proud owners of a ’64 Plymouth Barracuda
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