Barracuda Page 6

The most famous Plymouth Barracuda in North American popular culture, the 1971 Hemi 'Cuda driven by Don Johnson, as the title character, in the Television series Nash Bridges. Supercar Collectible had 504 coupes made in this specific color, with white interior, then had Backyard Conversions convert only 198 of them into drop tops. Of special interest to car guys, is that this color was not available from the factory in 1971. The producers of the TV show chose this "School Bus Yellow" color as it was very "camera friendly" in a wide range of lighting conditions. Fascinating.

Since so many of the original 504 Coupes were transformed by BYC, and countless other diecast modifiers, into the Nash Bridges ride, there is no way of knowing how many of these original School Bus Yellow Coupes still exist, which makes this one a very rare animal indeed.

In the Summer of 2007, Highway 61 released these three 1969 Barracudas with the appearance oriented 'Cuda Package. The interiors are incredibly detailed. The Limelight Green Metallic, Blue Fire Metallic and Barracuda Orange paint jobs are smooth and flawless. The Blue is also equipped with a bit of Mopar history. Its wheels were originally optional equipment, however, it was found that they were prone to cracking under stress, and had to be recalled. They are known to the Mopar Mavens as the "Recall Wheels".

This little black 1969 custom Barracuda is one of the popular molds that Highway 61 produced in a limited edition of only 600 pieces. It has a plastic lift off hood (with those tiny little hood pins) over the detailed Hemi engine, and plastic fenders, and they are all painted a glossy black. Details include a radiator fan that turns together with the drive shaft and rear wheels.

Jack Werst, a long time Chrysler employee, and Ken Montgomery, a reknown NHRA Division One racer, each took delivery of one of the hottest factory built race machines ever, the BO-29 code 1968 Barracuda, with the 426 Hemi and fiberglass hood and front fenders. Only 696 each of their 5 and 50 and Triple Nickel cars were created for Supercar Collectibles and presented in the new design SUPERCAR RACEWAY packaging. Very nice! Who wants to remove such great looking cars from such a great looking box? Not me.

This black 1970 HemiCuda is one of only 600 pieces made by Highway 61 in 2007. It is my favorite color, is one of my favorite years, and therefore, is a "must own" for me!

Gary Ostrich was sponsored by his Dad's dealership from Nevada, Iowa. He drove the mighty 1968, Hemi infused, Barracuda. The totally unique paint job was brilliantly reproduced by Highway 61 for Supercar Collectibles. Check out the detail pic of the silver foil lettering and lace paint work. The novel license plate also rekindles some Mopar pride from the past:
"And on the 7th Day, God created the HEMI".

A departure from the ordinary, this Alpine White AAR not only has a black vinyl roof, but a funky blue interior. Some like it, some don't, but if you want a little eye-catching variety in your collection, it fits the bill quite nicely.

Now this is something very unique! Performance Years Enterprises, the people who introduced the Mod Top 'Cudas, wanted to mix things up a bit and contracted an independent model modifier to add various styles of stripes to some of the Mod Tops, and their corresponding Chase Cars, that they had in stock. There is an inspired selection of stripe packages and each car comes with a certificate of authenticity. Since buying one of each is far beyond my means, I chose the Blue Chase Car that sports the black side stripes that mimic the 1973/74 model years. This car looks great on display with my brochures for the '73 and '74 'Cudas.

You can find these four 1970 Plymouth E-Bodies in the "and now for something totally different, but still familiar" file. The Burnt Tan Barracuda sports the unique and trendy "Gator Grain" vinyl top and a trunk lid luggage rack, while the Tor Red has the strobe stripe that we have seen before, but it also introduces the much asked for rear window louvers. Both of these ar 383-4 barrel powered cars. Now we just can't have an assortment of 'Cudas without Hemi Power! Supercar Collectibles commissioned Highway 61 to produce only 300 of each of these HemiCudas that are both replicates of actual, and very rare, cars. The Ivy Green car has the green interior, but also wears the oh-so-dazzling Mod Top option, with appropriate decal emblazoned on the side rear glass. The Moulin Rouge car has the striking white interior, with white vinyl top, and the soon to be omnipresent trunk lid mounted luggage rack. The quality control on these cars is exceptional, and I must add that the add-on vinyl tops apperar to be applied to a standard that other diecast costing twice as much have yet to achieve.

Performance Years Enterprises once again tread where no one else had the notion to venture. Getting their mitts on 6 cases of the Highway 61 Ivy Green 1970 HemiCuda, they contracted Backyard Conversions to convert all 36 diecast into drop tops, and add green convertible top boots. As if that wasn't enough, they got the notion to add a special touch in the form of strobe stripes: 12 in white, 12 in black, and 12 in chartreuse. These strobes are very well done, and I picked up this sleek chartreuse endowed ride from Supercar Collectibles. They volunteered to consign a boatload of BYC cars for a collector who had come upon some dire straits, and required a quick infusion of cash. (Good job, SC!)

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