Plymouth Barracuda Specs and Generations Overview (1964–1974)
Plymouth Barracuda specs at a glance: a rear-wheel-drive cabrio built from 1964 to 1974, with manual-gearbox versions ranging from 102 to 284 hp.
The Plymouth Barracuda is a rear-wheel-drive cabrio produced from 1964 to 1974, with outputs spanning 102 to 284 hp across its manual-transmission lineup. If you are comparing plymouth barracuda specs, the range runs from mild cruiser power to a 284 hp big-displacement version, so it suits both open-top touring fans and drivers who want serious straight-line performance from a classic American convertible.
Plymouth Barracuda generations
1 generation (1964–1974)
The first and only generation in this dataset covers 1964–1974 and was offered exclusively as a cabrio with rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. Power ranges from 102 to 284 hp across 4 modifications. The most widespread version is the Plymouth Barracuda 4.5 MT, which pairs a 4496 cc engine with 183 hp. At the top of the range sits the Plymouth Barracuda 6.3 MT, whose 6286 cc engine delivers 284 hp — the strongest output in the entire model line. Both notable versions share the same layout: manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, in keeping with the rest of the range.
Which Plymouth Barracuda to buy
- 4.5 MT (1 generation): the mass-market choice with 183 hp from a 4496 cc engine — comfortably above the 102 hp entry point of the range, while remaining the most common configuration.
- 6.3 MT (1 generation): the most powerful version at 284 hp, drawing on a 6286 cc engine — the top of the 102–284 hp spread for the model.
Since every Plymouth Barracuda dates from 1964–1974 and the whole lineup sticks to one simple formula — manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive — a used-car search comes down to condition and the specific engine rather than navigating between generations. The single-generation, single-body structure keeps the choice straightforward: decide between the common 183 hp version and the 284 hp flagship.
Which Plymouth Barracuda specs matter most
When checking plymouth barracuda generations and versions, the key numbers are engine displacement and output: 4496 cc with 183 hp for the volume version versus 6286 cc with 284 hp for the performance flagship. The overall model range starts at 102 hp, so the 4.5 MT already sits well into the upper half of the lineup, while the 6.3 MT defines its ceiling. All versions are cabrios from 1964–1974 with manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive, so the drivetrain layout is identical across the board and the horsepower figure is the main differentiator between modifications.