1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Fastback – Ultra Rare Omaha Orange

“I’m very proud to showcase this ultra-rare Omaha Orange 1968 Barracuda Formula S Fastback. The car has a great story that is well documented in Mopar Collector’s Guide magazine and was featured on the Mopar Vintage calendar. It’s been rotisserie restored to high show quality standards which resulted in a “Concours Gold Certificate for Excellence” at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. This is a great example of Mopar Muscle at its finest. An opportunity to purchase such a rare car might not happen again.” – Marc Schiliro

This exceptional 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Fastback sports its original factory ultra-rare Omaha Orange color and complete original factory matching numbers drivetrain. It also retains its original factory fender tag. This vehicle is registered with the Chrysler Registry and Chrysler Registry Letter signed by Galen V. Govier is included. It’s been awarded the Concours Gold Certificate at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in 2021. It scored 981 points out of a possible 1000. The judging sheets and certificate are included. The car was featured in the November 2020 issue of Mopar Collector’s Guide magazine which is included. It was also featured on the Mopar Vintage 2022 Calendar which is included. From the information gathered a total of 22,575 Barracuda Fastbacks were produced in 1968. Of those only 2,857 were equipped with the 340 S V8 engine. In early 1968, a northern California Chrysler/ Plymouth dealership wanted to increase showroom traffic. The dealership asked their sales representative Larry Jett if they could get a Road Runner painted something other than the factory stock colors. Special Order colors were not available in the consumer catalog and required a fleet account. Larry created a fictitious fleet account called Redwood Empire International Harvester and ordered a Road Runner in the brightest Orange the Ditzler paint company had to offer which was called Omaha Orange. This Road Runner was such a hit that a few other dealerships in Larry’s territory ordered Omaha Orange cars as well. Approximately 100 Plymouth’s were ordered with Special Order Paint Code 999 – Omaha Orange. It’s uncertain exactly how many Barracuda’s were ordered in Omaha Orange but it’s believed to only be in the teens. According to Larry Jett, Chrysler took notice of the instant popularity of these Orange cars and it’s believed to be what sparked the start of High Impact color options in 1969 which continued into the early 1970’s. As documented with the Chrysler Registry this example was built as a 1968 340-bbl Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Fastback at the Hamtramck, MI plant. Its #1 of 2 painted 999 in the Chrysler Registry. This example was sold new in Northern California, as all Omaha Orange 1968 Mopars were. The original owner was a lady who drove the car to Michigan in the mid 1970’s. In 1978, she decided to sell the car which was in very good condition with 105,000 original miles. The car had been garaged all its life and there was virtually no rust. It still had all of its original paint. The vehicle traded hands within one family and was eventually parked in a garage for many years. Photos of the car in the garage are pictured in the Mopar Collector’s Guide magazine. The car was purchased in 2004 by Michael Rathsburg who lives in Clinton Township, Michigan. Mike and his brother Jerry spent most of 2005 and 2006 working in the Barracuda on a rotisserie. In 2006 the car was about 80% complete life got in the way with family, work and the expense of their race car. The Barracuda found itself being moved from one garage to another for the next 13 years. In 2019, Mike was determined to get the car finished for the 2020 show season. Mike and Jerry thrashed away and by January 2020 the Barracuda was completed. Mike enjoyed the car with his wife Rochele and son Jake which included taking it to various car shows. The car was only trailered to car shows. Mike decided to sell the car. The car currently has 46 miles on the odometer. February of 2025 is the first time it’s been listed for sale.

The exterior of this Barracuda is absolutely stunning with its stylist design and High Impact color of Omaha Orange. During the restoration the entire body was stripped to bare metal. It retains all of its original factory sheet metal with exception of the left front fender which was replaced with an original factory fender. The body is extremely straight with excellent gap lines throughout. The car was refinished in its original factory color of Omaha Orange which is code 999. The paint is high show quality throughout and was recently detailed to a brilliant shine. A set of black stripes were reapplied to the side which look awesome. It also retains all its original factory glass which is in good condition. The front windshield does show some road rash and the remaining glass does show some light scratching as expected. Everything on the exterior has been restored or replaced such as the glass trim, door trim, wiper arms, antenna, hood inserts, front grille and trim, headlights, front bumper, door handles, fender trim, gas cap, rear tail panel and trim, tail lights, rear bumper and emblems. The car rolls on Omaha Orange painted 14” steel wheels with chrome center caps. The wheels are mounted to Firestone Super Sport F70-14 redline tires. The original hub caps and a set of 3 hub caps are included. This car originally also came equipped with white wall tires. Everything on the exterior is in working order including the wipers, headlights, parking lights, turn signals and brake lights.

The interior of this Barracuda compliments the exterior perfectly with its sporty design. It was refinished in its original black color with stainless accents on the dash and center console. The interior still retains a lot of its original factory installed items. Everything in the interior was lightly restored or replaced such as the headliner, sun visors, rear view mirror, dash, gauges, heating controls, 3-spoke steering wheel, center console, shifter, door sill plates, door panels, front bucket seats and rear bench seat, pedals and carpeting. It’s equipped with front and seat belts. The rear cargo area is accessed with the rear folding seat and was outfitted with new carpeting. A set of new black carpeted floor mats with the word Barracuda embossed on them are not pictured but included. The trunk compartment was beautifully restored and refinished in Omaha Orange. It houses a full size matching spare, jack tools and correct style trunk mat. The trunk front folding panel also allows access to the rear interior cargo area.

Everything in the interior is in working order including the lighting, gauges, heating system, horn and radio.

The engine compartment is highly detailed throughout with many correct parts. It was refinished in Omaha Orange on the firewall, inner fenders and radiator support. It’s powered by the original matching numbers 340-4bbl V8 engine. This engine was factory rated with 275 hp at 5,000 rpm and 340 lb-ft torque at 3,200. The engines were painted red with black accessories. This engine was completely rebuilt and runs excellent. The engine is cooled by the correct style radiator. The engine breathes through the correct style manifolds and dual exhaust system. The engine is coupled to the original matching numbers 727 automatic transmission and 8 ¾ rear end with 3.23 Sure Grip. The transmission and the rear end were also rebuilt. This car is equipped with power steering.

The undercarriage is also highly detailed throughout with many correct parts. The floors were refinished in Omaha Orange which is spectacular. The floors were detailed. Everything underneath this car was restored or replaced including the fuel tank and lines, steering components, suspension and braking system. Upon completion the undercarriage parts were decorated with factory assembly paint marks. To be clear, this undercarriage should be displayed with lights and mirrors at a car show.