Goodbye Swinger, Hello Barracuda! A Working Man's Classic Car Project

While our mission over the last several months has been to thin out our herd, we stumbled across this sweet little 1965 Barracuda on the side of the road, and it absolutely screamed "Take Me Home!" at us...so we made a deal, and she's ours now.
Here's a quick walk around of this survivor A Body, it's good and bad points, and a chance to win some UTG Merch by guessing what we paid for her.
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[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Tony, Steve Magnante here. Still recovering from encephalitis. I just got from a four mile walk and saw your new post on the 1965 Barracuda. I was also attracted by the Commando exhaust resonator but as you confirmed, it's not a 4-Barrel car. Bummer. But as an altered wheelbase match race fanatic, I suggest creating a streeable tribute to any one of the actual match bash Barracudas you can see in vintage issues of SSDI. Maybe a Sox & Martin "Baccaruda" with a Hilborn Hemi, 4-speed (or push button Torqueflight) and build a beast! I'll send you the pair of 90 minute DVD'S I made that show how I built the Rampage 1963 Dart altered wheelbase machine. If you want them I'll send them to you for inspiration! You like? -Steve Magnante

[@daddysbrokegarage]

Even when your down, you're still a class act. Many should inspire to be like you Steve. Keep pushing brother.

[@erich8422]

Glad you are doing well sir!

[@gregallen4272]

Glad you are still interested in cool cars and your health is improving also having health problems. I have have old magazines from the early 1970's with some of your pictures and stories. Hope you can get healthy enough to visit with some of the u tubers in the country. Really enjoyed the sleeper dude show where you had to sell sadly the very cool Fairmont. Do you think would will be doing any more junk yard crawls or maybe visiting with collectors who have nicer cars in much easier access places than salvage yards. If you move any further south in west Tennessee Georgia south Carolina western North Carolina. I don't like being filmed but would like to help you with letting some of my car friends let you explore there private junk yard gold but they don't want any kind of publicity or anything else but you are very well liked in the south for your knowledge and experience and the ability to expand the coolness of hot rodding. Thanks again

[@terrylittlejohn]

still thinking up cool stuff and things to do with them! great steve!

[@davidkeeton6716]

Steve, I don't think they put a pushbutton 904 in a 65 Barracuda. I think 64 was the only year. If they did, I've never seen one. My brother has our mothers 64 Barracuda that she bought new in April 64. I went with them at 3 years old shopping for it. My older brother and I tried to get her to buy a gold one with the black stripe. Ended up with a white with red interior, 273 pushbutton auto, ps, pb, hang on air.

[@billyduffany3387]

So awesome that a young man bought the Swinger. Hope he enjoys working on it with his dad.

[@lautburns4829]

Man am I glad some kid (newbie) got it. That’s what makes this hobby great.

[@williamtorp2817]

Owner of '64 early V8 'Cuda. The first generation Mopar dual master brake cyl. is a direct swap out for the single piston unit. Even with a rebuild, the original master cyl. offered questionable braking performance, hence the swap out.

[@RaiderX948]

The best part is a 13 year got his first car and it's all documented, hope he enjoys the process. $3,500

[@terryoquinn8199]

Oh yeah , a complete restoration on that car and he will then be the envy of all of his friends . Save up young man , it’s not gonna be cheap ! Best of luck to you on your journey !

[@EvzenKovar-i5p]

Absolutely. That’s what I was hoping would happen. He is gonna learn a lot getting that ready for his 16th.

[@PatandDoopypoopy]

Fantastic. He is the future of our mechanical addictions. Lol

[@maddhatter3564]

2 weeks after hes legal he will wreck it. NO new driver should be given a performance car.

[@Thirdgen83]

@@maddhatter3564 True, but that's not a performance car. It's a Valiant with a trim package.

[@stefanczechorskidds8435]

OMG, just what Kathy needed!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ok, wait a minute… I also have a white Barracuda and did a video on that today

[@mexicanspec]

But yours looks like a Dart in the front.

[@stevenbean9706]

the trash can twins racing team

[@IncahootswithChrist]

Uncle Tony did say he "wants to be like Jamie from DDG." During his last Sunday night live.

[@4ndy530]

Hahahaha it's the Mandela effect! 😂

[@minnesotatomcat]

I just got done watching yours!

[@bsjsrock77]

Hi, Tony ! I saw the thumbnail on this video & had to watch right away ... . My Mom had a 64 1/2 light blue Barracuda, & it was in My life 'til I was about 19 . I even learned how to drive w the push button tranny . It was such a Cool car ! I hope the new project goes Great ! ... will be watching !

[@adamrosen7937]

I find all your projects really interesting, but finding something from the 1960'-70's on the side of the road is by far my favorite thing to watch.

[@coryernewein]

My papa started a wrecking yard to offset his autoshop in the 70's, when I was a kid in the 80's and 90's it was a treasure trove of cool cars to sit in and pretend and later to take parts off to sell...long story short, we had a red Cuda that was wrecked in the front and becoming part of the earth again. The "car" with that beautiful rear glass still got $1500 and my father seemed pleased back in 2004.

[@KrzyKanuck81]

I tell this same story to my wife every few weeks when I bring home a new project 🤣🇨🇦🏁

[@ryanmullins9857]

I just bought the same project mine is a 64 273 4 speed car has a 70 318 and the a-833 I paid $1000 for it can't wait to see the floor replacement videos

[@budlanctot3060]

I have a pretty rusty '66 B'cuda, too. It was originally a std shift 3-on-the-tree sl/6. I bought the front suspension/disk brakes and 8-1/4 rear axle from a '73 Duster. I swapped in a 3.09 4spd w/ Hurst shifter & tunnel from an early Dart. I also swapped in PS from another early Dart. I replaced front t-bars, rear leafs, and rear sway bar from a 76 Dart police car. I put 14"x 6" painted Magnums on it from a 68(?) Mustang. Super fun car. The 3.09 4spd wakes up a stock sl/6.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

The Baracuda and Charger are 2 of my favorite 60s Mopars. And you now have both! Im jealous 😮

[@OllamhDrab]

Oh, I love those fastbacks so much. :) They have the kind of interior that really does it for me, like those first-gen Chargers, but they're more me-sized. :)

[@neilkratzer3182]

Nice to see integrity on a man's word. It seems so rare in today's time.

[@chriswalsh9989]

Thats awesome a young kid got the swinger!! Reminds me of myself,. bought my first car at 13 and worked on it for several yrs with my grandfather til i could drive. My guess for the Cuda is $4250.00 and that's for both im assuming the way you were talking about them.

[@greggpeters5662]

Glad to see that young man get his first car. Seems like he'll have plenty of support from the family and enough time to get it ready before he gets his license. My guess is Uncle Tony paid $2512.00

[@HighRevNation]

Great to know the car went to a upcoming car guy. That is a dream we can all get behind!

[@TermeeTime]

My first car was a 65 barracuda formula s 273 4 speed, tachometer, hd suspension, original owner had all the records including the window sticker. paid $250 for it.

[@maddhatter3564]

when was that? 85ish?

[@TermeeTime]

@@maddhatter3564 1986. I forgot to say it was a commando 273 which most people might know because it was a formula s. The square exhaust was long gone and not able to be acquired so I had Midas make a custom dual exhaust system. It cost almost as much as the car.

My daily driver for eleven years. Mind you, I had a 904 with a high-stall.

[@TermeeTime]

@@maddhatter3564 close. 1986

[@01davidroutt]

Most I portent is the rear glass is in excellent shape. I would kill for one of those. That's always been my favorite cuda.

[@barrycuda3769]

When Tony rubbed his fingers over the lower rear bumper, I immediately winced ,and the words " tetanus shot" came to mind .

[@budlanctot3060]

I'm pretty sure that's not original paint like he said. You could see overspray in the door jambs.

[@spacecat7247]

It's okay, he licked his fingers clean after.

[@justpassnthru]

LOVE that back glass!

[@selenelacaze9883]

May this Swinger live forever, maybe survive the humans ^^. Classic cars forever !!! : D Hope we'll could follow it's new adventures.

[@Bbbbad724]

I had a 273 automatic in 1975, a friend borrowed it and wrecked it. It was a console car and NOBODY made a better stock console. I want it! I am blind with some sight but I can’t get a license. I love the Barracuda! All the way from 64 to 67!

[@kiethholland3650]

Next contest, How long will it sit before anything gets done or you get bored with it.

[@superman20029]

He'll push it to the side and mess with an xj for six months or make more videos of him talking. We all know that

[@jamesmisener3006]

That's what I'm thinking. I haven't seen UT do any real work in a long time

[@EugeneFurler-k3h]

@@jamesmisener3006 He has done about a week or two worth of work in 6 years. Usually gets a sucker to do it and then dumps him like old garbage.

[@dongeorge4037]

Got a '65. Did the front brake disk conversion with dual master cylinder (important). Did the U-Joint (also important). Even did the HEI conversion. And then I did much too many other things. Life is good.

[@AtZero138]

Mopar A Bodies Forever 🇺🇸

[@mexicanspec]

What is your guess?

[@AtZero138]

@@mexicanspec I don't know brother.. he doesn't like spending .. he (like You) knows the prices.. right .. if 2600-3000 is . In it's current condition.. that's too much?..

[@mexicanspec]

@@AtZero138 I guessed $6500 because he said he paid too much and yo can't find a Barracuda roller for 3K.

[@mexicanspec]

@@AtZero138 Since you win everything, I bet you are right on the money.

[@timoromeo7663]

Sorry, but B-bodies rule, and I would even take a c-body fury before that ugly a-body.

[@mikedean5595]

Love those early Barracudas! Look forward to seeing your progress on it Tony!

[@MrZdvy]

''Original paint''....There is white overspray on the door jamb, also overspray on the wires etc on the firewall. And I can see that looking on my Iphone. Those ''small'' rust holes will get around 10 times bigger once you start grinding and sanding. Yes, these lower sections will rust from the inside out. But the bottom of the quarter panels also rust out on 4-door cars. Moisture gets trapped in these areas, even if there is no leak from above.

[@slingingsteel9744]

Glad to see you got one of those Barracudas. I drive past them every day on my way to work. They have been there for a while. Looking forward to seeing you getting it running and driving.

[@johnziegelbauer4999]

Had the chance in 77 to by a 66 Baracuda around my 16th birthday . The guy wanted 600 bucks for it , but I ended up helping my Dad fixing up a 71 Newport which I got to drive .

[@grantberecry]

Cool, love those 65 barracudas, i can't wait to hear the exhaust sound when you get it running. Keep it Uncle Tony and drive it everywhere.

[@jayjohnson3574]

Love it. Build it. I love what you do with this channel. I am a 45 year old, old school Mopar fanatic. My most recent build is a 2nd gen (1996) dodge ram 2500 4X4 that I converted from the dreaded "death tune" EFI to carbureted leaving the automatic transmission. The transmission still uses the computer for its necessary purposes and shifts better than it used to. I am currently running a distributor from a 1969 Dodge D100 (points ignition). The power change on a 200,000+ mile engine is astonishing...

[@ericwilson2585]

I'm 52 and I only ever remember seeing 1 of those cars back when I was in my mid teens. And it was like the coolest car in town.

[@EugeneFurler-k3h]

Neat project. Cant wait to see bottle rocket make a 10sec pass, 11 sec pass in slaghammer, 12 sec in plan Z and 13 sec jeep. Also the test mule buel, Harley dirt bike, Propane 4 door plymouth, Nitro 331 hemi, the off road jeep, The G tech 273 dart, The muscle truck ramcharger and so many many more. Hope I live to 1000 years old to see all this stuff. Keep up the great work!

[@zilksmooth]

Agreed - love UTG, but too many projects just vanish or stop. Like the slant 6 Miata, which quite frankly was just odd.

[@zilksmooth]

The idea that a talented mechanic can improve on one of the most highly regarded sports cars on the planet by swapping on a larger, less powerful, low tech engine seems flawed from the beginning. That being said, the guy is spot on when it comes to tips, technical analysis, history and his engine building series.

[@EugeneFurler-k3h]

@@zilksmooth I have forgotten a lot of them. I am sure there was a dozen more.

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Nobody ever said he was short on ideas.

[@indianaslim4971]

Plan Z is long gone, probably a year gone by now.

[@erinbluetee]

$2000? Thanks Tony! My brother had a 71 Demon with the Mopar hood scoop , wing. and a 360. When I was younger I had a 70 Fury coupe with the 318 and a 70 Challenger with the 383 that I should've held on to.

[@cobyburrow9339]

5500 for a solid start. That could be built as a Slippery Fish.

[@ullrangtheviking4412]

My father had a 67 Cuda when I was young 3-7. Been a dream car ever since, along with the 65 300 he had before that.

[@garyzsaludko1490]

Glad the Swinger found a good home. I was 15 when I got my 1973 Swinger. My guess on the Barracuda is $4600.00

[@karlbishop7481]

I had a '65 Formula S 4 speed, loved it but long story. Anyway I saw the square exhaust tip and got excited. Tony you let the wind out of my sails.

[@TinManKustoms]

My guess asking price was $6300 and Uncle Tony paid $7300

[@davidkeeton6716]

Seriously? $7300 hmm. OK. That's encouraging. I guessed WAY low.

[@LongIslandMopars]

Reminds me of my first car, a white 64 Valiant Signet 200 convertible with a red gut. She was a rotbox and I sold her years ago for cheap to make room for dads 66 Coronet.

[@jpc4524]

$63.50 ,Nice car.

[@DusterCI]

Glad to hear the Swinger went to a good Mopar family. My guess to much is $4249. Will be watching to see where this project goes.

[@FredsRandomFinds]

Know nothing of US prices but will take a punt at $2700

[@gunnermurphy6632]

I'm not into old chryslers enough to know prices, but I'm in the US so I'd say 3k. I live in the same region as Tony

[@louislepage5111]

Nice too see the Swinger going a good home . The 65 would make a nice 43 JR replica 😊

[@edpetrikk2027]

You paid 15k plus one of your sportsters and got yourself a steal 👍

[@1982MCI]

That’s the funniest chit I’ve heard since I heard Kamala was gonna run for next Resident, lol 😂

[@donkarnes5946]

My first car was a '64 Barracuda. Black , red int. 273 4spd. Loved that car! Many years later, I had a '75 Dart Swinger, 6cyl 3 on the tree. Good luck with the new project. I guess 6k$

[@erich8422]

One

[@wolverineracing8896]

Just like a car guy, get rid of one turd and buy another LOL good luck UTG and cant wait to watch the progress.

[@walsakaluk1584]

The kid who scored the Swinger will do well in life.

[@richardkoerper1630]

I had an original '64 with the push button transmission on the dash. White. 318 engine. Loved it.

[@mikegonzales7234]

$4500.00 is what you paid for it.

[@keithbertsch4318]

4200

[@edkalsbeek1765]

$325. Max

[@mele3587]

5600.

[@johnnicol8598]

$8000

[@jeffrowlette]

$6,500

[@andrewforster4974]

I myself have got a old f100 that is my daily driver I only did for body work so it would pass government inspection and mechanical work rest left alone and I'm always getting compliments about the way it looks

[@easycrider7453]

I was in awe back in '66 when some kid was being picked up from grade school in a white Barracuda with as I remember an aqua interior with a cool Barracuda badge.

[@bullwag1978]

Hey uncle Tony! Just picked up my first classic mopar, 1979 Dodge Magnum with a 360, very excited to have fun getting everything worked on and cleaned up! I’d guess you paid 4500 for that little car

[@budlanctot3060]

$750.00. You're absolutely right about the Commando exhaust, it sounds fantastic with just a stock cam. I can only imagine what a healthy stock 340 would sound like with that exhaust.

I personally put (mostly very hard) 160 000 miles on a Formula S Commando 1965 Barracuda, in very congested Vancouver traffic, (Van has no highways). My daily driver for eleven years. I miss that car, to this day.

[@jseal21]

Brother I hope that back window doesn't break. SOOOOO expensive 🫰😅

[@MoparDen]

My '64 Barracuda that I bought @ Carlisle several years ago was a blast. It was a show winner and all original 273ci V8 904 Pushbutton Auto in the wonderful Anniversary Gold. I had someone make a an over top offer to buy it that was too good to refuse. But I think I miss my '64 Dart GT even more...

[@Fixstuff.123]

Hi Uncle Tony - $6300 is my guess. So much knowledge crammed in your cranium. I've learned a lot from you; thanks!

[@jeffreyvietzke228]

I’m going to say 1500. Car is worth more in parts than as a car. Been repainted,overspray on the door rubber and latch. Looks like a thousand dollar value. The cars don’t bring money, even though they are cool. If it were a boring Nova the value would be 5 times as much. You’re not looking at a Baracuda-you’re looking at the dream of one. Great Vid!

[@deitraemory55]

I had a 70's dodge swinger and miss it. Nice body.

[@OdiseoQuintin]

On a back road on the way to visit a relative in a California State Prison, I found and purchased a '65 Barracuda Formula S (had factory A//C, P/S, P/B) Original 273 Commando AFB carb and valve covers on a 318 (one cylinder piston had a whole burned through the top). It also had a "489" non sure=grip 8 3/4 differential. My guess on UTG '65 Barracuda purchase price is $1,749.00

[@CharlesBridges-c1r]

The car looks like it is about where my '66 Wildcat was when I got it. It has been a learning experience since I started out with minimal knowledge. Today, it is my daily driver. I love listening to that 425 growl, until the fuel gauge says empty. $4500 maybe?

[@MVPisME383]

I was riding through the game reserve in the next county during turkey season and found a good gold barracuda like that, their cool looking cars

[@OFender88]

It will be cool to follow the project. Man, love the rear window and the grill on that. $3,175 is my guess.

[@thekikendallsautoandrandom1271]

I even offered pocket lint Uncle Kathy!!!

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

I always liked the Dodge Dart cars but I was in love with the Barracuda as a kid.

[@EYE_SPIDER]

That’s awesome! Good new home!

[@heyjoe9267]

A young man and his first Mopar, what a special moment.

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Sold one gained one! But this one he can work on and make lots of content for the channel. For the last 6-12 months there really has been a lack of the working on it automotive content. I have watched most the videos but I do like when you work on the old stuff.

[@MIpatriot3]

$4500. Because I just bought a 66 last week, white also. Can't wait to get into it!

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

It’s worth whatever you paid because you just don’t see these early Cuda’s .. I almost bought a pair of 64’s when I was 15. They were both 273 super commando cars. One was baby blue one was white. I love the big back windows on these cars.

[@NSUGS]

Tony, You paid $4000! Glad the Swinger went to a kid, very fortunate he is!

[@peters8758]

Those mid-70’s electronic ignition boxes don’t like old points-style voltage regulators - it’ll always have a mysterious misfire because the regulator buzz gets on the ignition module power line. Swap in a 3-wire alternator and electronic regulator (study where the extra field wire goes) if you plan on keeping the electronic ignition (also requires 4-wire ballast resistor).

[@terrencebuller7676]

Hello Tony, my guess for the Barracuda is 6800.00. It really is a good looking car. Look forward to seeing more of it. Take care 👍

[@ryantalbott821]

I'm glad that young man got that for his first car. Mopar or no car... $5,250. Thanks Uncle Tony.

[@alansmith7626]

darn! I have one (well 2 sorta) but both have original 273's...of well, will still be fun journey

[@QuietDriver97]

After all of the talk on the unfortunate state of the world this Barracuda is a feel good project we can all get behind. Sweet hard to find car. Guessing $6499.

[@erikgour3475]

My Dad had one. A 64. It had the 273 4 speed . Cool car

[@josephmarchitelli8138]

Love the original barracudas. I going to guess $6500. Good luck with her can't wait to see where you start.

[@SavingChevys73]

Right on. You bought a classic, and not an xj. I think you paid $5,500 for that particular $4,500 car. Very nice. Looking forward to seeing more on it.

[@tklykun9858]

Hi Tony something I watched recently made me think of you. It was about ocean going car carriers and how many of them were destroyed by fires that had been started by electric cars being shipped in the hold. Some of these ships held as many as 8k cars that were a total loss including the ship itself. The dollar value of the losses were astronomical. They sure dont show that on the nightly news !!!

[@nicholasagnew2792]

Ospho is a cheap rust converter that works very well. A gallon will do many vehicles. Putting oil based paint over it results in something better than POR-15 but Ospho by itself isn't bad.

[@deepbludude4697]

My Dad was a fighter pilot, He bought a 65 Barracuda new it was a 273 Commando 4 speed. I mowed lawns for 3 summers to buy it from him in 1975 I loved that car learned alot from my dad about tuning, thing handled for shit, didnt stop to well either but dang!

[@douglascooper1987]

I still have the valve covers off the black 66 Formula S I was given in Trade for swapping the transmission one of my racing buddies' red 65 Formula S. Quick little car, and you're right, They Sound Awesome! I'm bettin' $3250.👍👍

[@BareRoseGarage]

One person's "Over-Pay" is another's "Bargain" so that's a tough one. Access to the seller's parts stash coupled with the fact he's selling 2 of them.... I'd say he's downsizing, so I'd say around $3,500 in TN. You sent the Swinger to a dang good home and just handed the money from that sale to this guy and called it a good "trade". Also, you never "added" another to fleet you just changed the color of the fleet.... lolololol. Good stuff as always UTG and it really did make me happy to see that Swinger go to that kid who will treasure it more than we will ever know.

[@kencooper2059]

The REAL first pony car. That should make a great project!

[@Yostopactinjive]

Had one just like it in high school I put a 318 in it from a 71 Cuda that might be my old one from back in the day

[@Gamefreak8112]

I don't know why but my brain jumped to $3600. After watching the quick rundown I'm feeling my guess is low but I had a feeling and I trust my gut. If it's meant to be then it shall be.

[@02autogt]

I'm a Ford man but when i saw Barracuda in the title I was hoping it was gonna be a 67-69, damn i love those!!! Not saying these aren't cool, lol

[@the1knifepro169]

Great way to show how to make a sale and thats a lucky young man.

[@Jabbernack]

Love those big window ‘Cudas! ‘68’s my favorite! I’ll guess you paid $5500.

[@gergatron7000]

Good chance to move the rear arches up to match the front. That is the only thing I would change on it, but it would make a huge difference to the stance.

[@rreysat]

My guess is 3200. I have a 66 without the original 273 but a 50$ used 72 318 I'll clean up and drop in. The car is about the same condition and color i bought for 1300 without a title in 2014. I'm always amazed at the knowledge shared with us by ya'll.

[@rockymountian8242]

Uncle Tony, thank you I have learned a lot from your video. Barracuda purchase price of $3333.00USD

[@jeffpitzer8521]

Tony flings the door open. Door card is missing..."😅And the interior is complete " camera pans up to the roof.." and there is no headliner"...lol...I look at cars the same way...how bad could it be?

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy U-T-G, ... Thanks COOP ...

[@Andrew-xf3wb]

im guessing you paid $4000. But hell yeah!! this is why i'm here. really looking forward to seeing this revival. lol totally expected to see a slant six under the hood.