Jeanne and Dana Breska of Minnetonka were just 19 and 20, respectively, when they went shopping for their first new car back in the 1970s. They weren't into muscle cars - no more than any other kind - but the used 1972 Plymouth Barracuda at Chrysler City on 394 got its hooks in them. It was red with Chrysler's excellent small-block performer, the 340 V-8.
Before closing the deal, they called their insurance man. "Don't buy a 340," he cautioned. "I'll have to raise your rates." Married just two years, the couple didn't want to throw more money at car insurance.
Luckily another option presented itself. There was a brand new (at the time)1973 Plymouth Barracuda with virtually the same looks as the '72 'Cuda, yet packing the lower performance 318 V-8. The car was a striking blue - like Richard Petty's legendary 43 car, with one of Mopar's clever color names, Basin Street Blue. It had bucket seats, floor-shifted automatic, dual hood scoops and rally wheels. A few signatures and the sleek Mopar was theirs.
Muscle car production was just ending and the new trend was smaller, more efficient cars. Beyond liking the way it looked and drove, the Breskas didn't give their Barracuda much more thought. Dana drove it daily for five years, then decided he wanted a pickup truck. Fortunately, the Plymouth was paid off, so instead of selling it, they stored it with family. And there it sat, except for occasional summer jaunts - including cruise night on Main Street in Hopkins, "back in the day."
About two years ago, the Breskas were on vacation, staying at a bed-and-breakfast in Idaho. Another guest was wearing a Mopar T-shirt, so they struck up a conversation. He had a 1968 Barracuda Formula S that had been in the Mopar magazines. He was excited over how popular and valuable Mopars had become, and also about all the people showing and driving them. When they told him about their all-original, unrestored '73, he lit up even more. "You've got a real survivor there," he said. He inspired them to get the car out more and have some fun.
As soon as they started driving it again, they met other Mopar owners and learned about all the shows and get-togethers throughout the warmer months. They also found out that this was an unusual car, both for its color and for its excellent unrestored condition. At one small gathering, a fan looked it over closely for a long time. He left and then came back again, scrutinizing the interior, the body, engine and engine bay. Finally he asked the Breskas if they wanted to sell. "No," they said. "I'll give you $50,000," the man responded.
They weren't sure if he actually had the money - but it didn't matter. They politely declined. The Barracuda had been giving them a lot of enjoyment and they planned to keep on using it. At both of the Midwest Mopars gatherings they've attended, their clean '73 has taken home a plaque.
Though the car is 35 years old, it still is mostly "original." They fixed a little rust behind the wheels, but didn't repaint the whole car - just up to the paint stripe. Apart from that, it's seen new brakes, a new radiator and new tires. The original meats still looked good, but they were bias plies. When the Breskas fitted radials - don't worry, they kept the original tires - the car really rode well. The spare in the trunk is the one Chrysler fitted and has never been used. Jack, tire iron, etc., are in place and original.
