The appearance of models from the Chrysler brand started on the pages of CAR around the middle of the 1960s. Over the years CAR has tested nearly 50 products from the American manufacturer.
The car featured here, the 1966 Barracuda Fastback, was lauded for the fact that it was built locally. Well, that wasn’t totally the case, but a large percentage of local content meant that it earned the “manufactured in South Africa” moniker.
Unlike its American brethren, which boasted a v8 engine, the South African Barracuda featured a “big-six” displacing 3,7-litres. Coupled with a 3-speed auto’ transmission the coupe model went from rest to 80 mph (approx 130 km/h) in half a minute and would travel 300 miles (483 km) on a tankful (73 litres) of fuel. We are sure those figures were impressive for the day but just underline the improvements modern cars have made.
