Ross & Shona Heathcote

from Cruise Martinborough 2021

Daniel Hickson

Pony car gets a ride at Cruise

Ross & Shona Heathcote

Cruise Martinborough 2021 will be one of the rst opportunities Ross and Shona Heathcote have had to enjoy their 1968 Plymouth Barracuda which they bought nine months ago. “I went to look at a 1970 Chev Nova 350 and Shona noticed the Barracuda in the workshop and asked if that car was for sale,” recalls Ross.

“The owner had had the car for 20 years and was reluctant to sell it. He made contact the next day and said we could purchase it.” The engine is a 340 stroked to 416 with many enhancements including an oil accumulator.

The 727 Trans has been shift kitted and the diff tted with an Auburn locker. The car also features tubular suspension arms and a reinforced chassis.

The Plymouth Barracuda is a two-door pony car that was manufactured by Plymouth from 1964 to 1974, according to Wikipedia. The rst-generation Barracuda, a two-door hardtop fastback, was based on the A-body platform (shared with the Valiant). The second-generation Barracuda, built from 1967 to 1969, though still Valiant-based, was heavily redesigned. Two-door body designs were available in fastback, hardtop, and convertible versions.

The Barracuda is the latest in a long line of classic cars the couple have owned, following on from a 1960 Chev Bel Air, 1957 Ford Thunderbird, and 1965 Mustang Convertible.