4-Door Barracuda

[Beavis]

I think its perfectly fine to complain. Historically correct information is a crucial ingredient to this Hobby.

Without any basis of fact, anybody can say anything, build anything, and claim any type of fascinating BS story they want. Good thing there's many dedicated people in this hobby that are willing to do the necessary research to preserve automotive history.

Continue kicking this unfounded story of a real 4-door Barracuda prototype seen at Chrysler's Headquarters in 1969 down the road, is the same as perpetuating a lie. Some people will see the car and unknowingly believe it was a part of Chryslers historical past - which would be a major dis-service to our hobby.

Look at the efforts regarding the Norwood Pilot Camaro (a story which I followed closely). A tremendous amount of effort was put forth because people in our hobby deemed it important. We should always demand Historically CORRECT information. Research has to be put forth before a person can make any "extraordinary claims" about something.

If the Norwood Pilot Camaro story was just a recollection of one person, without any evidence, every GM related website would have dismissed it as fictional.

It's not up to me to prove anything. The burden of proof falls on the person making such claims. This entire Barracuda project was done with intent to misrepresent ...all the way down to the phony paperwork.


Norwood pilot Camaro links:

http://pilotcarregistry.com/pilot-program-overview.html

http://pilotcarregistry.com/n100001.html

[SS427]

Back in the mid eighties I helped a friend, Bruce Haar build this 1970 Monte Carlo SS454 using factory photos we had located. Everything was perfect just like GM would have built it with a convertible frame and fabricated convertible rear door panels and Monte rear seat and a real A-body A pillar/windshield. People would always comment at the shows that it was a nice attempt to build what never was until we showed them the factory photos. One of those photos is in some Monte Carlo brochures. I can understand though where the Cuda could be an issue if they are claiming it to replicate a factory prototype.

[DW31S]

That Monte is a car Chevrolet probably could've sold.

[JRSully]

I remember a bunch of years ago, somebody went the other way and took a 4dr 68/69 Chevelle/Malibu and made it a 2 door with SS stuff, was very funky looking as I recall, but well built. To each, his own

[Beavis]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SS427</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Back in the mid eighties I helped a friend, Bruce Haar build this 1970 Monte Carlo SS454 using factory photos we had located. Everything was perfect just like GM would have built it with a convertible frame and fabricated convertible rear door panels and Monte rear seat and a real A-body A pillar/windshield. People would always comment at the shows that it was a nice attempt to build what never was until we showed them the factory photos. One of those photos is in some Monte Carlo brochures. I can understand though where the Cuda could be an issue if they are claiming it to replicate a factory prototype. </div></div>

Yours is a great example of what I was talking about. Thanks.

You obviously had historical data to work from, and enough documented proof and verification to show people Chevrolet was not only just considering the design, but it came close to becoming a production reality. The 4-door Barracuda project has nothing of the sort. Not even a memo.

By the way, the 1970 Monte Carlo convertible was a great looking automotive design! It could've done very well in the market but Chevrolet likely did some focus group work and realized some flawed potential with buyers. Like with any business model, GM product planners failed to make a case for an &quot;extra convertible&quot; in its line-up.

People may have liked it, but with the A-body convertible models already in play namely the Chevelle and Cutlass ringing the majority of 2-door convertible sales, was another two-door convertible model necessary? I think we know how that decision played out from a marketing standpoint.

[PeteLeathersac]

The need to record findable facts on serious car guy forums is true also the info presented seems logical enough, just all would've felt better w/ a few previous postings...or you'd used your regular user name? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img]
Nice job w/ the Monte ragtop Bill, I remember one in a mag somewhere back then...Car Collector?
We've all been waiting for someone to build a '70 Chevelle Post car, heard of a few happening but [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

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[earntaz]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DW31S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That Monte is a car Chevrolet probably could've sold. </div></div>

Build a rag top -- and it will sell ...

[Beavis]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: earntaz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DW31S</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That Monte is a car Chevrolet probably could've sold. </div></div>

Build a rag top -- and it will sell ... </div></div>

Not exactly....

General Motors owned the convertible market in 1970. Chevy Chevelle, Olds Cutlass, Pontiac Lemans, and Buick Skylark, were all offered in convertibles. Chevrolet Impala's, Olds Ninety-Eight's, Pontiac Catalina's, and Buick LeSabre's were also available as convertibles. Not to mention the Buick Riviera and Cadillac Eldorado convertibles.

Just because you own the market doesn't always mean an extra convertible model is a good idea - take the case of the 1970 Monte Carlo.

Also in the case of Chrysler. They built competitive Dodge and Plymouth 4-door sedan models for each segment. The A-body (Dart and Valiant. B-Body(Coronet and Satellite). Also C-body (Dodge Monaco/Polara),(Plymouth Fury), Chrysler (Newport/New Yorker/Imperial).

The body style never offered by Chrysler Corporation as 4-door was the E-body (Barracuda/Challenger)... which was exactly in line with the offerings from General Motors(Camaro/Firebird), and Ford (Mustang/Cougar).

[Canuck]

The Monte was a counterpart to the Grand Prix, also not offered in convert form. The Riv and Eldo were not offered until the early 80's as an attempt to get back into the drop top business. I believe these cars were jobbed out.
Paul

[HawkX66]

You guys should check out my 66 Camaro. It was a prototype that came out before the 67 model year. It was a collaboration with Chrysler. It was built with a 426 Hemi and Hilborn fuel injection.