Designer and Inspiration:

The Custom Barracuda was designed by Harry Bentley Bradley. It is based on the 1967 Plymouth Barracuda and is one of the "Original 16" Hot Wheels cars released in 1968.

Historical Context and Production Years:

As one of the first Hot Wheels cars, it was produced from 1968 to 1969 with Redline (RL) wheels.

Unique Aspects:

The Custom Barracuda features an opening hood. Early prototypes had a single hood scoop, but the production models have two. Like the other "Original 16" cars, it was produced in vibrant Spectraflame colors. There are noticeable differences between the U.S. and Hong Kong versions, particularly in the design of the grille and taillights.

Similar Castings:

This casting is part of the iconic "Original 16" or "Sweet 16" lineup, which includes other American muscle cars like the Custom Mustang and Custom Camaro. It's the only classic Barracuda casting from this era.

Variations and Special Editions:

It was produced in most of the original Spectraflame colors. Red is a particularly common color for this model. Interior colors could be white, tan, or dark. A re-tooled version was released in 2003 for collectors.