Here's a photo of my dream car - a 1968 Super Stock Barracuda. These cars (and its Dodge cousin - the Dart) were produced specifically for the purpose of dominating NHRA drag racing, in SS/A (manual transmission) and SS/AA (automatic transmission). The photo is Bob Reed, who holds the SS/A record - 8.88 seconds @ 151+ MPH (¼ mile). His car is an original, which is something quite rare and desirable. Most that are raced these days are clones... starting out life as something more mundane. Most of the rest (that remain) are show cars. The last known value of an original in "as produced" condition is around $100K. There were only 50 Barracudas and 55 Darts produced with a special Drag Race 426 cubic inch hemispherical head engine. This differed from the NASCAR and Street Hemi engines in that it used two carburetors instead of one, and had a much more aggressive camshaft than either of the other versions. My machinist (a former Super Stock racer) says said that a poorly running drag race hemi still makes over 650 horsepower!

The cars were sold by Chrysler but were not supplied directly to the purchaser. They went out of Chrysler's factory as 383 Formula-S cars (sans engine/transmission, front sheetmetal & bumpers, and side glass) to Hurst Performance. Hurst then installed the engine and transmission, an unpainted fiberglass front clip, & bumper, and special lightweight side glass made by Corning Glass (now very rare items). The purchaser picked up the car (they were never shipped by Hurst) and applied his own paint and further modifications. Also, to keep weight at a minimum, the interior was stripped and a single seat from the A100/A108 light pickup/van was installed. Heater/defrosters and radios were NOT available. Lastly, they were produced with a decal in the door jamb that indicated they were not intended for use on highways and streets. True to form, these were factory-produced race cars!

MAKE:
Plymouth

MODEL:
1968 Barracuda Super Stock

ENGINE:
426 CID V8, dual 4-barrel Drag Race, Hemi Head

TRANSMISSION/CLUTCH:
Manual: Chrysler A-833 synchro "Hemi" 4-speed (large input shaft, oilite bronze-bushed gears).
Automatic: Chrysler A-727 "Hemi" Torqueflite (4 pinion planetary gearsets, 5 clutch clutchpacks).

REAR AXLE:
Dana Spicer 60 (9.75").

FRONT SUSPENSION:
Torsion bar.

REAR SUSPENSION:
Chrysler "Super Stock" leaf springs w/ pinion snubber.

OTHER:
Front Clip: Fiberglass hood, fenders, and bumper.
Side Glass: Special-made thin glass produced by Corning... very rare these days!
Interior: Single seat from A100/A108 light pickup/van. Heater & radio not available.