Category: American Classic

Early Pony Car: 1965 Plymouth Barracuda

The pony car wars are still the stuff of one part legend, one part engineering, two parts horsepower, all to add up to 100 percent fun! Coming out of Petersburg, TN is a 1965 Barracuda project.

The engine is the typical 273 V-8, rated from the factory at 180 hp. The seller says that the motor and transmission are “good.” Hopefully, that means that they are both in working condition and will need little beyond normal maintenance befitting a 50 year old car.

The slot mags are not terrible (in our opinion), but if we could source a set of period correct Mopar rally wheels, that would really make it cool. The seller states that the brakes will need a thorough reconditioning, though we would probably take the opportunity to do a disc brake conversion while we’ve got it apart.

The paint is in tired shape, so a respray is in order to bring this beauty back to all its glory.

The glass, including that marvelous rear fastback glass, appears to be in good shape. It looks as if a few pieces of the trim may be missing, but there is a large and thriving on-line Mopar community that can help with that.

The interior will need complete restoration or replacement. However, the seller does indicate that the floor pans are solid, though we would like to see a few shots of the underside.

This year, make, and model are definitely on our wish list. Someone will have a great start on a project. The seller says this was an Alabama car, and as such, they do not have a title, but are sold on a bill of sale. Make sure you check with your state’s DMV about what it will take to get this hot rod legal.

These cars are getting tougher to find and the prices have been climbing in recent years. Don’t miss out! Let us know what you think of this project car. Find it HERE on Craigslist in Petersburg, TN for $5500.

Lead Sled: 1965 Buick Electra 225 Classic

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Land yacht proportions? Check. Big American Iron V-8, 455 Rocket? Check. Low stance and fender skirts? Check. What’s not to love?

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This owner has a complete looking 1964 Buick Electra 225 Classic for sale. The seller does not provide a wealth of photos, so the extent of the doubtless rust is unknown. The trim appears all present, but again, more pictures would help in that determination.

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The few shots available of the fenders seem to indicate a pretty solid car, though the interior looks to be in need of complete restoration or replacement. The paint is also in need of serious help, but the Buick rally wheels look presentable – though I’d try and find some factory steelies and OEM wheel covers.

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The pillarless style looks great on these big sedans.

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The dash is in pretty bad shape, as is the steering wheel. We’re not sure how simple sourcing a new interior would be, but it could really be worth the effort.

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The seller makes no mention of the condition of the motor or transmission. Also, in our research, the 455 Rocket wasn’t an available engine on this model, as they typically were equipped with either a 401, a 425 Wildcat, or a 425 Super Wildcat. If the engine is indeed a 455, it could be that the engine was swapped, though the seller makes no mention of an engine swap. This car or, for that matter, any car that is 50+ years old will need some TLC to get it back on the road.

Overall, we think this would be a great candidate for restoration, restomod, or the low-rider treatment the seller suggests. We imagine it would cost a pretty good amount, but at this starting point, it could be the project you’ve been waiting for.

We would get the engine and engine bay sorted and go with a midnight blue over a restored gray factory interior.

The car is located in the Inglewood neighborhood of Nashville, TN. Find it HERE on Craigslist for an asking price of $3000.

What do you all think?

1938 Plymouth Sedan Rat-Rod

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Let’s start this show with something pretty differnt, yet seemingly high in the cool-to-cost ratio.

Coming out of Greenbriar, TN is a 1938 Plymouth Sedan. It’s a long ways from a stock offering concourse winner, but it will definitley attract attention like cake at a kid’s birthday party.

“1938 Plymouth 4 door. Custom fabricated 2×3 box chassis. New Speedway/superbell 4” drop tube front axle assembly w/disc brakes. Headlights mounted on spindles so they turn with steering. Flaming river Vega steering box. 3.91 geared 12 bolt posi Chevrolet rear end w/truck arms, panhard bar and coil springs. Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, 15×7 and 15×10 Wilwood pedals inside w/reverse mount avco master cylinders and clutch slave cylinder. Griffin Aluminum radiator w/High flow Electric Fan mount in rear. Holley electric fuel pump.

Motor is a “NEW” 331 Chrysler Hemi (Less than 500 miles) built by Frank Ofra race Engines. Have all receipts and over 10k in motor alone!!! Hot heads intake w/650 electrick choke holley carburetor. Heads have been flow benched. Hardened seats and stainless valves. Chet Herbert Hydraulic roller cam 484/280. Johnson roller lifters and adjustable pushrods. Hot heads also supplied the timing chain and cover, oil filter adapter, front pulleys, and transmission adapter. Spicer 11″ clutch/pressure plate bolted to a hot heads aluminum flywheel. Saginaw cast iron 4 speed transmission w/Hurst Competition plus shifter. Pistons were upgraded during the build to accept nitrous. It’ll spin the tires in any gear so the nitrous has never been used. It’s plumbed and is fun to purge around the crowds this thing draws.”

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As per the seller, this shell sits on a custom fab 2X3 box chassis. The engine is a newly built 331 Chrysler Hemi w/ less than 500 miles on the build professional build.

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Spicer clutch and pressure plate mated to a hot heads aluminum flywheel. 4 speed Saginaw cast iron transmission w/ a Hurst competition shifter.

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Engine build set up for Nitrous, but the owner has yet to light that flame. Those straight pipes have got to make some serious noise and HP

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If you are looking for a really cool custom Rat-build for a very reasonable price point, this could be the one for you. The seller has this one listed HERE on Craigslist for $8500.