TO: All Plymouth Dealers
Subject: 1968 Hemi Barracuda Super Stock
The Chrysler-Plymouth Division offers for the
1968 models a 426 Hemi-Powered Barracuda Fastback for use in
supervised acceleration trials. These cars
will weigh approximately 3,000 pounds and have been designed to meet
the 1968 specifications of the major sanctioning
drag strip organizations.
The Hemi-Powered Barracudas will be available
through production is limited quantities in March. To order this
vehicle, use the Barracuda Order Form and
specify Body Code BO29 and Transmission Code, either 4 Speed
Manual, Code 393, or Automatic, Code 395.
No other specifications are necessary.
Description of Components
426 cu. In. 8-cylinder engine with dual 4-barrel carburetors- 12.5 to 1
compression ratio.
Cross Ram Intake manifold.
1 11/16" x 1 11/16" Holley carburetors.
Competition Hooker headers, exhaust pipes, and mufflers.
High capacity oil pump.
Roller timing chain (reduced timing chain stretch for more consistent
engine performance).
Mechanical valve gear.
Dual breaker distributor.
Transistor ignition.
Metal core type ignition wires.
Unsilenced air cleaners.
Deep groove fan drive pulleys.
Heavy duty radiator.
Aluminum seven-blade fan equipped with Viscous drive.
Special offset 15" rear wheels.
Chrysler-built 8 ¾" large stem pinion gear set, and heavy-duty axle
shafts with automatic transmission (4.86 axle ration).
Dana-built 9 ¾" heavy-duty axle with manual transmission (4.88 axle
ration).
Sure-Grip differential.
135 Amp. Hr. battery (located in rear compartment).
Heavy-duty high control rear suspension.
Front disc brakes 41/2" Bolt Circle.
Fiberglass front fenders.
Fiberglass hood with scoop.
Light weight steel doors.
Light weight front bumper.
Light weight side window glass.
High capacity fuel lines.
Business coupe interior (2 bucket seats - no rear seat).
For Manual Transmission Only
Special heavy-duty 10 ½" clutch and flywheel.
Safety steel clutch housing.
Competition "Slick Shift" 4-speed transmission.
Hurst remote mounted floor-shift unit with reverse lockout.
For Automatic Transmission Only
High stall speed torque converter (large drive lugs and 7/16"
diameter attaching screws).
Heavy-duty manual shift TorqueFlite transmission.
Hurst floor-mounted shift unit.
Please Note:
The following items are deleted on this body type:
Heater, Body Sealer and Sound Deadeners, Silence
Pads, Outside Mirrors, Right Side Seat Belt and Body Color
Paint.
NO OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT OF ANY KIND CAN BE ORDERED
The policy of Chrysler Corporation is one of
continual improvement in design and manufacture, wherever
possible, to insure a still finer car. Hence,
specifications, equipment and prices are subject to change without
notice.
These vehicles are intended to use in supervised
acceleration trials and other competitive events, therefore, they
will be sold without warrant. Special stickers
will be provided for plant installation (attached to left "A" post)
which will read as follows: "This vehicle
was not manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways and
does not conform to Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
All customer orders must be accompanied by
a signed disclaimer (sample attached) indicating that the purchaser
understands that this vehicle is sold without
warranty and does not conform to Federal Vehicle Safety Standards.
Any prospective customer who desires to purchase
one of these maximum performance vehicles should be made
aware of the following characteristics which
make them unsuitable for general use.
A high idle speed
is required to insure adequate lubrication, minimize roughness, and to
keep the
engine from stalling.
The modified intake
manifold causes a rich surging condition, misfiring and unstable engine
operation in cold
weather, which makes ordinary street driving extremely difficult and it
is not
recommended for this
use.
Higher than normal
oil consumption will be encountered because of increased lubrication to
the
valve train and cylinder
walls.
The carburetors are
calibrated for maximum power and a high numerical axle ration is used for
acceleration. As
a result, the gas mileage is considerably less than for a conventional
car.
Engine noise would
be objectionable due to increased piston clearance and mechanical valve
tappet clearance.
The ignition system
is designed for optimum engine output and must be kept in top condition.
This
makes it necessary
to inspect, adjust and replace the spark plugs and ignition points more
frequently than would
be necessary on a standard engine.
On car equipped with automatic transmission, band adjustment must be made frequently.
Due to performance
characteristics, maintenance and operating expense will be high since premium
fuel is required
and frequent oil changes are a MUST.
Does not conform to
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Warranty and Policy Coverage
Any customer purchasing this model vehicle
should be advised that due to the expected use, the vehicle is sold
"as is" and the 24 month or 24,000 mile vehicle
warranty coverage, the 5 year or 50,000 mile Power Train Warranty
coverage, or any other warranty coverage (including,
but not limited to the implied warranties of fitness for
purpose intended or merchantability) will
not apply to the vehicle. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for
the manner in which such vehicles operate.
Any repairs or adjustments which you believe
warranty factory participation should be brought to the attention of
your Regional Service Office where such requests
will be handled on individual merits.
Attached is a form letter (to be prepared on
your letterhead) which should be thoroughly understood and signed
by each prospective purchaser and attached
to your order for each Hemi Barracuda Super Stock. The purpose of
the letter is to explain the normal operation
characteristics of these vehicles and clarify that the warranty
coverage’s do not apply. Be sure a letter
in this form, signed by your customer, is included with your order so
there will be no delay.
1968 Hemi Barracuda
It was inevitable that Chrysler would build
the Hemi Barracuda. For the past four years, drag racers had been
gutting Barracudas and dropping in 392 and
426 Elephant Engines. Since Chrysler had enjoyed tremendous
success on the dragstrips in Super Stock and
Unlimited Fuel since 1963, the decision to continue that domination
by building a factory super stocker (with
some assistance from Hurst) was a natural.
The S/S Hem Barracuda was assembled by Chrysler
as a package and then shipped to Hurst. Although the
number varies from source to source, at least
fifty and possibly as many as seventy-five Barracudas were shipped
to Hurst’s facility in Detroit. The conversions
were coordinated by Dick Maxwell at Chrysler and Richard Chrysler
at Hurst. As delivered to the dealers, the
cars had fiberglass hoods and fenders, while the front bumper and doors
were light-gauge steel. The interiors were
gutted and Bostrom driver seats installed.
To squeeze the mighty Elephant into the Barracuda’s
tight engine bay, some modifications had to be made under
the hood. The battery was moved to the trunk,
and the right shock tower was moved, as was the master cylinder.
Hurst also installed custom headers, shift
linkages for four-speed cars and special rear-axle assemblies. Off the
transport trailer the cars were delivered
on street tires. All that was needed to make the car competitive was slicks,
a deeper oil pan (a small pan was installed
for shipping), camshaft and valvetrain.
The S/S Hemi Barracudas were delivered to racers
in early May, in time to qualify for the NHRA Spring Nationals.
Ronnie Sox was one of the first to get a Hemi
Barracuda on the strip and turned mid 10s right out of the box.
The introduction of the S/S Hemi Barracudas
created controversy in the stock ranks, where the little guy now
found himself pitted against nation record
holders in factory-built race cars. On February 20, 1968,
Chrysler-Plymouth general sales manager R.D.
McLaughlin outlined for dealers- and racers - what they could
order. The following is a reprint of his letter
in its entirety.
|
|
|
