With talk of the return of the Barracuda as a replacement for the Dodge Challenger, we thought we’d peruse eBay to find some examples of this classic muscle car from the Chrysler corporation. What we didn’t expect to find was a 1-of-1 1967 Barracuda built for the British market with, get this, a right-hand drive setup. As if that’s not enough, this plucky Brit has adorned the unmistakable markings of the Union Jack, thoroughly converting this American muscle car into a subject of Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II.
This car is so rare and obscure, even Chrysler didn’t realize it existed, until the seller did some digging. According to the eBay listing, right-hand drive Plymouths were available through just one dealer in the UK, Warwick Wright.
This exclusive importer of Plymouth products imported right-hand drive fastback and notch Barracudas from 1967 through 1969, but convertibles were only offered in ‘68 and ‘69. Yet this is registered as a ‘67 droptop model, with all the paperwork and proper numbers and even (eventual) authentication from Chrysler. This includes a VIN number mounted opposite where it would be on left-hand drive models. The turn signal stalk is on the right of the steering column, and the windshield wiper motor is opposite its standard position as well. The only engine offered was the 273 V8, and the dashboard was pulled from the Plymouth Valiant, though the gas and brake pedal remained in their standard right-left configuration, albeit on the right side of the car.
These imported muscle cars also required a few UK-specific market changes, including orange tail markers, shoulder seatbelt mounts, headrests (oh la la), no left mirror, a Motorola radio installed by Warwick, heavy duty suspension, and 3.23 rear gears. It was a special order car at the time, and a truly unique piece of Mopar history that’s all the more pertinent given Chrysler’s merger with Fiat and the Ford Mustang going global.
America exports many things abroad, but we’ve hoarded our best vehicles for ourselves for the most part. It’s about time we start sharing our wealth of amazing muscle cars. Check out the listing once again here.