Unique Plymouth Barracuda Targa Top prototype to be auctioned
History remembers the third generation of the Barracuda, which wore the ‘Cuda badge and the Hemi engine. The car it all started with was completely different. Produced between 1964 and 1966, the original Plymouth Barracuda was smaller, lighter, and softer than the muscle car it would eventually become. Now you may have a chance to own one of the most interesting examples ever built.
Experimental open-top car
Looking for ways to expand the car’s appeal shortly after its launch, Plymouth built an experimental open-top version to assess whether the idea had merit. It did not, at least in management’s opinion. Here is the car that resulted, the one Plymouth shelved before it could reach the showroom. Barracuda convertibles would only appear in the second and third generations.
Read also: This former movie star muscle car looks like a trailer park Mustang Bullitt
Targa Top prototype
The Barracuda Targa Top prototype shares most of its equipment with the standard two-door hardtop, but the roof was cut out to make way for a soft top. It looks surprisingly tidy, and for something that was only meant to be a prototype, the build quality seems to hold up well.
History and condition
Most such prototypes gather dust in manufacturer storage facilities over time and are never seen again. This is not one of those cases. Although we do not have a detailed ownership history, the odometer shows 52,446 miles (84,403 km), so the car has obviously been driven extensively. Despite this, it appears in good condition: the paint has no major defects, and the chrome bumpers still shine. The listing also confirms that the car comes with the original factory roof panel.
Is this the most expensive 1964 Barracuda?
In a golden-tinted body color, the car features a striking gold interior. The dashboard has gold trim, as well as matching door panels and seats. Under the hood is a 273 cubic inch V8 engine producing 235 hp, paired with an automatic transmission. This figure comes from Plymouth’s HiPo-spec 273 V8 introduced in 1965 with a hotter camshaft and a 10.5:1 compression ratio.
Auction and price forecast
Since this is the only 1964 Barracuda of its kind, it is difficult to say how much it will be worth. Standard cars of this era typically change hands for under $20,000, but a one-off factory prototype is not a standard car, and the bidding should reflect that. It will be offered at Mecum’s Nashville 2026 auction in Lebanon, Tennessee, on September 26.
This unique Plymouth Barracuda Targa Top prototype is a true find for collectors. Its history as an experimental model that never went into production makes it not just an old car, but a testament to the bold design decisions of the 1960s. Despite being created only for market evaluation, it received a second life and covered tens of thousands of miles, adding to its uniqueness. Its value will likely far exceed prices for standard models, as we are dealing not just with a car, but with a piece of automotive history that could have changed the fate of the Plymouth lineup.