Plymouth Barracuda III AAR 5.6 V8 (290 Hp)


Overall Rating

7.8 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 4.5 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 4.5 / 5
Comfort 3.0 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Plymouth Barracuda:

The Plymouth Barracuda is a two-door pony car that was manufactured by Chrysler Corporation from 1964 through 1974 model years.
The first-generation Barracuda was based on the Chrysler A-body and was offered from 1964 until 1966. A two-door hardtop fastback design, it shared a great majority of parts and bodywork with the Plymouth Valiant, except for the distinctive wraparound rear glass.
The second-generation Barracuda, though still Valiant-based, was heavily redesigned. Built from 1967 through 1969, it was available as a two-door in fastback, notchback, and convertible versions....(Read more on Wikipedia)

III Overview:

Plymouth Barracuda (III). With 475 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1495 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda III predates modern safety testing standards like Euro NCAP. Safety features were rudimentary by today's standards, focusing on basic structural integrity and seatbelts.

AAR 5.6 V8 (290 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 4 stars

Performance Verdict

Strong, balanced performance from the high-revving 340 Six-Barrel, renowned for its responsiveness and unique sound.

Fuel Economy

Poor fuel economy, though slightly better than the larger V8s due to its smaller displacement, still far from efficient.

Best Use Case: Spirited Driving / Collector's Item / Track Day (Vintage)

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Iconic muscle car styling and presence
  • • Wide range of powerful V8 engine options, including Hemi and Six-Barrel
  • • Strong aftermarket support for parts and modifications
  • • High collector's value, especially for rare trims
  • • Engaging and raw driving experience

Cons:

  • • Very poor fuel economy across most V8 models
  • • Limited modern safety features and crash protection
  • • Handling and braking are not up to modern standards
  • • Interior comfort and refinement are basic
  • • Rust can be a significant issue on unrestored examples

Specifications:

General:
Brand:Plymouth
Model:Barracuda
Generation:III
Modification (Engine):AAR 5.6 V8 (290 Hp)
Start of production:1970
End of production:1970
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Coupe
Seats:4
Doors:2
Engine:
Power:290 Hp @ 5000 rpm.
Power per litre:52.1 Hp/l
Torque:475 Nm @ 2800 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:LA
Engine displacement:5563
Number of cylinders:8
Engine configuration:V-engine
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:OHV
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:102.6 mm mm
Piston Stroke:84.1 mm mm
Compression ratio:10.5:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Weight-to-power ratio:5.2 kg/Hp, 194 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:3.1 kg/Nm, 317.7 Nm/tonne
Space:
Kerb Weight:1495
Trunk (boot) space - minimum:167 l
Fuel tank capacity:72 l
Size:
Length:4742 mm mm
Width:1902 mm mm
Height:1293 mm mm
Wheelbase:2743 mm mm
Front track:1516 mm
Rear (Back) track:1542 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDisc
Rear brakesDrum, 279.4x63.5 mm
Steering typeCone worm with recirculation balls
Wheel rims size7J x 15
Front suspensionIndependent torsion bar, double wishbone, Transverse stabilizer
Rear suspensionRigid axle suspension, Transverse stabilizer, Leaf spring

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