Mod Top #153

Thomas Simon has an unusual 1969 Plymouth Barracuda 318/A904 (now A727) F5 (now Paprika Red)/F6J/V1F mod-interior with non-floral green vinyl top. There are very few cars in this Registry that have floral interiors with a standard, non-floral vinyl top!

Note: the floral top and interior were separate options, and most Mod Top Barracudas were ordered with both. Not this car!

modtop153

modtop153

modtop153

modtop153

 

modtop153

Here is the fender tag as as submitted to this Registry:

V1F V6X END
J25 L31 M21 M25 M31 R11
A01 C16 C55 G11 G33 H51
   F5 F6J F8 820 065557
E44 D31 BH23 F9B 10XXXX

V1F = Green non-floral vinyl top; V6X = Black longitudinal tape accent stripe; END = end of codes

J25 = 3 Speed Variable Windshield Wipers; L31 = Fender mounted turn signals; M21 = Drip Rail moldings (these go above your side windows, along the edge of the roofline); M25 = Wide sill mouldings (below driver and passenger doors);  M31 = Body belt mouldings (these go “under” your windows, along the top of the doors and running rearward to the C-pillar); R11 = AM radio;

A01 = Light Group (interior lamps); C16 = Console with Woodgrain; C55 = Bucket seats; G11 = Tinted glass, all windows; G33 = Driver’s Side remote mirror; H51 = Air Conditioning;

F5 = Limelight Metallic Green exterior paint; F6J = Green vinyl seats with yellow and black floral inserts (mod interior), also yellow and black floral inserts on the door panels; F8 = Dark Green Interior paint (console, instrument panel), and black carpet; 820 = August 20, 1968 build date; 065557 = order number

E44 = 318, 2bbl, 230 hp; D31 = A904 3-speed automatic transmission ; BH = Barracuda, High class ; 23 = Notchback; F = 318 engine; 9 = 1969 model year; B = built at Hamtramck, MI ; 10XXXX = sequence number. They start at 100000, and all the cars built on that line get a number.

More info about the car as submitted to this Registry:

  • Engine that came with the car originally? – 318
  • Engine in the car now – 318
  • Tranny that came originally? – A904
  • Tranny in the car now? – A727
  • Original Exterior color? – F5 Limelight Metallic
  • Color now? – Paprika Red
  • Original interior bucket seat color – F6J Green vinyl with mod inserts

Other good stuff about Thom’s Barracuda:

About 27 years ago I was looking for another daily driver. I’ve driven a Dart, Duster, Charger and Coronet. I found this Barracuda in Auto traders mag. When I looked at it, it was in unmolested condition but clearly needed help. It was painted red with a black interior. I took it for a drive, I had to have it and bough it. Now I began hunting for as much information as I could about my car. I did a title search and found the original owners on their farm in Homosassa Florida and talked with them. The farmer told me that he bought it for his wife to drive around on the farm with. I kid you not! I decoded the fender tag and found the car had some very unique options. At this point, I knew I had something more than a daily driver. I had an image in my mind for the car, I just couldn’t bring myself to return it to its original state. But, I wanted to do right by the car. It came to me in a disheveled condition so I took it to a body shop and had the car stripped down to bare metal. I began a multi-year detailed resto-mod. During the process I wanted to keep everything period correct as much as possible. I had pieces re-chromed, vacuum plated, anodized and painted. I replaced things with nos parts when possible. I also used pre-owned parts that I cleaned up and painted. The car has all of its original sheet metal, a/c, tinted glass, motor, rally dash and console. It has almost all of its original trim. I really liked the color it was painted when I bought it (Paprika Red) so I painted it the same color and added the optional Black hood stripes. The only major modifications I made was to upgrade the trans from a A904 to an A727 and the rear axle to an 8 3/4 sure grip with 3:55 gears. It was a long hard labor of love and worth every bit of it. I’ve had great fun driving this car over the years.


Last updated 05/11/2023