Ron Francis Bringing Garret

Ron Francis Bringing Garret’s Rod Shop’s 1968 “HEMI-S” To SEMA 2019

Third-gen Barracudas seem to get all the limelight these days. With certain models easily commanding seven-figures, these portly E-body Sphyraena are currently the top-of-the-food-chain when it comes to Mopar muscle.

We’ve always liked first-gen Barracudas with their fishbowl rear glass, but concede they’re a tad frumpy, and we could never get past the obvious Valiant-family resemblance. As the years creep by, the 1967-1969 models have really grown on us. Although it remained Valiant-based, Plymouth traded its heavy-handed styling for a set of groovy new threads.

Cool old Chrysler-Plymouth media one-sheet extolling the virtues of three-model Barracuda lineup. Photo Chrysler Corporation.

A coupe and convertible joined a less glassy fastback to complete a formidable trio. Sporting a Pontiac-esque split grille and a loop rear-taillight treatment, the styling killed. Although never a match (saleswise) for the Ford and GM’s ponies, late-’60s Barracudas just get better with age.

This summer, on the grounds of  NSRA’s 50th Anniversary show in Louisville, Kentucky, we discovered a hellacious restomod 1968 Barracuda preening under the lights at the Axalta display. Dubbed “Hemi-S,” and built by red-hot builder Garret’s Rod Shop, it was the latest knockout from the Columbus, Ohio, shop 

Y’all might have lusted over this 1966 fastback Dodge dubbed “SuperCharger,” which caused quite a commotion on the show circuit last year. HEMI-S further distills the now-signature Garret Rod Shop “look.” Upper photo: Art Morrison

Founded by Garret Kitchen 20 years ago, the shop has grown to be a national player on the custom car scene. We had a chance to catch up with Garret’s son Karl, and he filled us in on the backstory of “HEMI-S.” 

Owned by Byron Spade from Columbus, the Barracuda (originally a Formula ‘S’ 340 model), had been sitting around for a few years — a casualty of the Great Recession. Garret and Byron were underway with a 1964 Nova build, but saw the Barracuda and said: “That’s badass, let’s switch gears and finish that first!”

The car stirred other memories as well. In 1968, Garret won the “Plymouth Trouble Shooting Contest” in his high-school auto mechanics class. Ironically, the trophy incorporated a model of a 1968 Formula S Barracuda. To circle back and create the baddest 1968 Barracuda on the planet years later added an ironic, sentimental facet to the build as well.

With the project greenlighted, the guys at Garret got to work. Every car needs a stout foundation, so they called Art Morrison and selected its Sport Frame model. From there, they bolted in RideTech Ride Pro suspension system and topped off the setup with Wilwood brakes.

For motivation — and to keep it all Mopar — a late-model, Gen-III 6.1L Hemi was chosen. They added a Magnuson TVS2300 supercharger and dolled it up with custom coil covers and accessories to match the blower. With an estimated 600hp, this fish has some stink.  Look closely at the smoothed engine bay, and dig the black and red color scheme, with nary a wire or fastener in sight. Super sanitary execution here.

Next up, they added a Tremec, manual six-speed gearbox, a 2.5-inch stainless exhaust system from Flowmaster, a 9-inch Strange rear axle as the chassis began to take shape.  Lastly, the HEMI-S rolls on Billet Specialties wheels (18×8 up front, 20×10 in the rear) with big gumball, Falken Azenis rubber all the way around.

For wiring, Garret’s Rod Shop exclusively uses Ron Francis Wiring.  “We’ve used Rod Francis wiring exclusively for the last 20 years and are ardent fans,” Garret tells us. “The quality, simplicity, and reliability are the best in the business. Knowing we have the wiring sorted from the beginning, prevents many of headaches down the line. We used the ‘Express Wiring Kit’ on HEMI-S, and installation was a breeze.” 

According to Ron Francis, “Our newest custom wiring system is built specifically for your Mopar powered vehicle with all the connectors and wiring necessary to drive it, pass inspection, and be able to add accessories as you see fit, now and in the future. We have included the cooling fan relay due to the fact that more and more customers are using electric fans. Now you can have everything centrally located for a cleaner installation! We’ve also added a Multi-Connection Battery Junction Block to reduce the number of wires going to the starter for all those add-ons in your custom Mopar powered application.”

With the running gear sorted out, next up was the body and interior. Although the sheet metal seems darn-near stock, looks can be deceiving. This is where Garret’s Rod Shop finessed an already killer shape with subtle-yet-effective mods. Look closely, and you’ll see a redesigned front clip with front spoiler, ram air hood, and tucked bumpers.

A custom exhaust valance with a rear spoiler complete the mods. The tinting of the “fishbowl” rear glass cleverly incorporates little barracudas, a nice touch. The taillights use 200-plus LED taillight bulbs. 

For paint, they chose Axalta’s Tungsten Gray in two shades and then added the pièce de résistance — a painted HEMI billboard graphic on the rear quarters. While never offered on second-gen fish cars, the graphic is a nice nod to a golden era when Mopar ruled the world and looks perfectly at home here. 

Finally, the interior is completely off-the-hook cool, brainstormed by Garret and Tracy Weaver, stitcher and owner of Recovery Room Interiors out of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. Check out the custom dash with center-mounted, custom Classic Instruments gauges, Vintage Air, and one-off matching console.

Not only is every square inch bespoke custom, but the use of machined and hand-formed aluminum and 3D-printed hardware is also incredible. Dig the pedals, door pulls, seatback handles, and window cranks for an idea of the attention to detail here. Finishing off the look is acres of cherry red leather, cloaking all surfaces.

With the 2019 SEMA hootenanny right around the corner, HEMI-S will be holding court at Ron Francis Wiring’s display in Vegas. Be sure and stop by to check out the car, along with the latest and greatest from Ron Francis Wiring.

Until then, congrats to Garret’s Rod Shop and Byron Spade for HEMI-S and the well-deserved accolades.

Byron Spades' 1968 Plymouth Barracuda HEMI-S

• Car Owner: Byron Spade. Columbus, Ohio
• Car: 1968 Plymouth Formula “ S” Barracuda dubbed “HEMI-S”
• Engine: Gen-III 6.1L Hemi with Magnuson Supercharger
• Exhaust: 2.5-inch stainless with 4-inch Flowmaster HP mufflers
• Wiring: Ron Francis Wiring
• Air-Conditioning: Vintage Air
• Transmission: Tremec T56 Six-Speed
• Chassis: Art Morrison Sport Chassis
• Suspension: Ridetech Pro-Ride
• Wheels: 18×8-front, 20×10-rear Billet Specialties
• Brakes: Wilwood
• Interior: Recovery Room. Plattsmouth, Nebraska
• Gauges: Custom Classic Instruments
• Paint: Axalta Tungsten Gray 2 tone
• Body Mods: Redesigned Front Clip with front spoiler. Flared
fender well openings. Tuck-fit, custom bumpers. Rear spoiler. Custom hood.
• Extras: Rear window ” Aquarium” has the Barracuda logo fade

Photography: Dave Cruikshank, Vinny Costa, and Garret’s Rod Shop

About the author

Dave Cruikshank

Dave Cruikshank is a lifelong car enthusiast and an editor at Power Automedia. He digs all flavors of automobiles, from classic cars to modern EVs. Dave loves music, design, tech, current events, and fitness.
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