1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340

Pony car powered by Chrysler 340 four-barrel LA V8.

340 Four-Barrel reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340

Engine 340 four-barrel LA V8

Factory rating 275 gross hp and 340 lb-ft

Body styles Fastback, coupe, and convertible

Reported Formula S 340 production 3,917 cars across three body styles

Story

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340

Plymouth added the new 340 four-barrel to the Formula S performance package for 1968. Rated at 275 gross horsepower and 340 lb-ft, the LA-series small-block joined the Barracuda's handling suspension, performance trim, and available front disc brakes without the extra weight of the 383 big-block.

Buyers could pair the 340 with an A833 four-speed or TorqueFlite automatic. An 8 3/4-inch rear axle was used, while ratio, Sure-Grip, brake, wheel, and cabin details depended on the body style and original order.

The cited secondary production table reports 3,917 Formula S 340 cars: 2,857 fastbacks, 867 coupes, and 193 convertibles. Its transmission rows report 1,485 manuals and 2,449 automatics, a sum that does not exactly match the body total, so both sets remain separately attributed rather than silently reconciled.

Nineteen documented 1968 Plymouth finishes are listed with Formula S appearance and interior choices. Paint, stripes, wheels, or badges on a restored car are context, not proof of its factory configuration.

For authentication, begin with the P engine character in the VIN and reported fender-tag engine code 52, then reconcile the broadcast sheet, body numbers, engine and transmission stampings, axle, paint, and trim. Formula S badging or an installed 340 alone cannot establish original identity.

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

A verified original price is not yet available for this car.

Market Observations

Auction sale $23,969

Apr 14, 2026 · Bring a Trailer
Modified P-code hardtop coupe BH23P8B171452 with a 340 V8, replacement TCI automatic, replacement rear differential, and refurbishment history. · modified · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $23,969 sale. The source identifies a P-code Formula S 340, but also documents substantial drivetrain, suspension, wiring, exhaust, and interior changes plus visible rust bubbling; the record is therefore classified as modified rather than used as a stock-car benchmark.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Coupe 340 BH23P8B171452 auction result
Auction sale $38,000

Jun 15, 2024 · Bring a Trailer
Refurbished P-code hardtop coupe BH23P8B454797 with a 340 V8 and a replacement A727 automatic reportedly installed under warranty. · restored · unknown Bring a Trailer records a $38,000 sale. The P-code VIN and 340 configuration fit the target, while the repaint and replacement transmission are retained as material condition and originality context. Auction descriptions remain seller representations unless independently verified.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Coupe 340 BH23P8B454797 auction result

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

Bore and stroke 4.04 x 3.31 inches · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8, manual and automatic transmission applications · engine assembly / specification
Compression ratio 10.5:1 · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8, manual and automatic transmission applications · engine assembly / specification
Gross horsepower rating 275 hp @ 5000 rpm · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8, manual and automatic transmission applications · engine assembly / specification
Gross torque rating 340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8, manual and automatic transmission applications · engine assembly / specification
Valve lifter type Hydraulic · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8, manual and automatic transmission applications · valve train / specification
Camshaft timing and lift Intake 276 degrees; exhaust 284 degrees; overlap 52 degrees; intake lift 0.445 inch; exhaust lift 0.455 inch · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8 with manual transmission · camshaft / specification
Camshaft timing and lift Intake 268 degrees; exhaust 276 degrees; overlap 44 degrees; intake lift 0.430 inch; exhaust lift 0.445 inch · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8 with automatic transmission · camshaft / specification
Carter AVS four-barrel carburetor list number 4424S · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8 with manual transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
Carter AVS four-barrel carburetor list number 4425S · 1968 Barracuda 340 CID four-barrel V-8 with automatic transmission · carburetor / carburetor list

Transmission

Factory transmission A-833 four-speed manual
Factory transmission TorqueFlite automatic

Options

Transmission Choices reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

F7 (reported fender-tag position) Formula S package factory · performance · Hemmings decodes F7 on a feature-car tag as Formula S package; exact code usage should be checked against factory coding references.
D9 (reported fender-tag position) Front disc brakes optional · chassis · Decoded on a representative feature-car fender tag; do not infer presence without the subject car tag.

Paint

AA1 Buffed Silver Metallic factory · factory
BB1 Black factory · factory
CC1 Medium Blue Metallic factory · factory
DD1 Mist Blue Metallic factory · factory
EE1 Midnight Blue Metallic factory · factory
FF1 Mist Green Metallic factory · factory
GG1 Forest Green Metallic factory · factory
HH1 Yellow Gold factory · factory
JJ1 Ember Gold Metallic factory · factory
LL1 Surf Turquoise Metallic factory · factory
MM1 Turbine Bronze Metallic factory · factory
PP1 Matador Red factory · factory
QQ1 Electric Blue Metallic factory · factory
RR1 Burgundy Metallic factory · factory
SS1 Sunfire Yellow factory · factory
TT1 Avocado Green Metallic factory · factory
WW1 White factory · factory
XX1 Beige factory · factory
YY1 Medium Tan Metallic factory · factory

Production

Rear Axle reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1968 Barracuda all production total · 46,018 · reported
1968 Formula S 340 total by engine · 3,917 · reported
1968 Formula S 340 fastback by body · 2,857 · reported
1968 Formula S 340 coupe by body · 867 · reported
1968 Formula S 340 convertible by body · 193 · reported
1968 Formula S 340 manual by transmission · 1,485 · reported
1968 Formula S 340 automatic by transmission · 2,449 · reported

Authenticity

Factory Brakes reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 340Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

VIN engine code P indicates 340 engine in the Hemmings 1968 Barracuda decode example · Driver-side dash VIN plate at base of windshield per Hemmings 1968 discussion · fraud detection
Fender tag engine code 52 decoded as 340 engine on the Hemmings feature-car fender tag · Body/fender tag; decode line shown in Hemmings buyer guide · trim correctness
Engine stamping / VIN derivative Hemmings reports 1968 VIN stamping practice and notes a 340 block location on its feature car · Engine block stamping areas; Hemmings describes driver-side rear/top near transmission for its featured 1968 340 · numbers matching

Still Researching

engine Core 340 specifications, transmission-specific camshaft specifications, and Carter AVS carburetor list numbers are now structured, but complete casting, distributor, assembly-date, and documented survivor stamping tables are not.
transmission The three factory transmission paths are recorded, but complete ratios, assembly numbers, and date windows are not.
rear axle Axle family and package context are recorded, but each ratio and Sure-Grip combination requires order-specific records.
brakes Standard drum and optional front-disc dimensions are recorded, but complete option and part-number applications are not.
suspension Formula S torsion-bar dimensions and firm-ride shocks are documented, but complete rear-spring and stabilizer-bar factory part applications remain unresolved.
option packages Major performance and appearance options are recorded, but the complete compatibility and price matrix is not.
production Body-style totals are secondary-source figures and are not reconciled to a surviving Chrysler ledger.
paint colors The model-year palette is recorded, but color frequencies and individual-car combinations remain incomplete.
trim and appearance Major 'Cuda trim is recorded, but every stripe, wheel, hood, bumper, and molding combination is not.
interior Seat, console, gauge, and trim context is recorded, but the complete upholstery-code matrix is not.
authenticity markers VIN and tag checks are recorded, but complete stamping locations and acceptable date windows are not.