1968 'Cuda (the high performance version of the Plymouth Barracuda)
This was my dad's mid-life crisis car. One summer day in 1968, he left the house early to get the oil changed in our station wagon. Six hours later, I was playing outside with my friends when we heard the roar of an American muscle car coming down our street. It was my dad, in his new 'Cuda! It was a very cool car, it growled and shook at idle and laid rubber with just a touch of the gas pedal. Dad and I were thrilled with the 'Cuda!
Unfortunately, mom did not share our enthusiasm. This was going to be our family car? Had he lost his mind? She pitched a fit and called my father every name in the book. She demanded we go back to the dealer and get the station wagon back.
So we all got in the 'Cuda and drove back to the dealer. The salesman asked my father if there was a problem and dad told him mom was not happy. The salesman told dad that he could give him the station wagon back but could dad think about it for 15 minutes while he finished up with another customer? (they did not speak to women in car dealerships back then - very sexist).
So for 15 minutes, we sat in the salesman's office, mom blowing cigarette smoke in dad's face and yelling at him that he better get her car back if he knows what is good for him. When the salesman finally got back, he looked at my dad and asked him if he had made a decision. Dad looked the salesman straight in the eye and said "we are going to keep the Barracuda!"
Way to go, dad! It was the most fun car we ever owned and my dad's favorite car of all time. Mom got over it after about 6 months.
@x1nij@anzere03@sanfil@myautofocuslife@jdr4690@boogie@sjodell@simon0128@marieooi@annbo@michaelelliott@obiwan@paulavdmerwe Thanks everyone for all the nice comments. Dad's Cuda was special ordered from the factory with the 340 Formula S package, 3/4 street grind cam (that's why the car shook at idle!), Hurst 4 speed shifter, competition suspension, manual quick ratio steering (making it virtually impossible to parallel park - a real problem in NYC) and manual disc brakes - it was quite the beast. No power anything, no a/c. It ran like a scalded animal. Very fast, very quick, handled great. I have wonderful memories of riding with my father in that Cuda.
@groovygirlrn Thanks, Sheri, glad you enjoyed the pic and the story! @dishaparekh176 Thank you, Disha - great story, right? @stuckinoz Thanks, Janelle - funny story, huh? Mom and Dad were married for 35 years, he passed away in 2009, Mom is living nearby and doing fine.
@soboy5 Good to hear your mum is still doing well. That must be a great story to remember about your dad. I was impressed with both of them - both very feisty sounding.
Love the story and the photo! Your mom and dad were both right, which makes it funny! It wasn't a family car, but gosh it was fun, and life can't be ALL about w-o-r-k! @soboy5
I love it!
I want a ride!! I would love this car!
@dishaparekh176 Thank you, Disha - great story, right?
@stuckinoz Thanks, Janelle - funny story, huh? Mom and Dad were married for 35 years, he passed away in 2009, Mom is living nearby and doing fine.