1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383

Pony car powered by Chrysler 383 four-barrel B-series V8.

1968 Plymouth Barracuda fastback in stock-presenting body context; engine and Formula S identity are not inferred

Engine 383 four-barrel B-series V8

Factory rating 300 gross hp and 400 lb-ft

Body styles Fastback, coupe, and convertible

Reported Formula S 383 production 1,279 cars across three body styles

Story

1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383

The 383-powered Formula S was Plymouth's big-block Barracuda performance package for 1968. Factory and reference material record a four-barrel B-series V8 rated at 300 gross horsepower and 400 lb-ft, backed by the package's heavy-duty suspension, wheels, tires, dual exhaust, and Formula S identification.

Buyers could pair the 383 with an A833 four-speed or 727 TorqueFlite automatic. The reviewed record documents an 8 3/4-inch rear axle with a 3.23:1 standard ratio, while Sure-Grip, brake, wheel, and cabin details depended on the original order.

Hemmings reports 1,279 Formula S 383 cars: 963 fastbacks, 252 hardtops, and 64 convertibles. These figures remain attributed to that source; the page does not invent production totals by transmission, paint, or option combination.

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 383 engine character in the VIN, then reconcile the fender tag, broadcast sheet, body numbers, engine and transmission stampings, axle tag, paint, and trim. Formula S badges, hood inserts, or an installed 383 alone cannot establish original identity.

**Exact-year Barracuda fastback front-quarter view for body and model-year exterior detail; Formula S and 383 identity are not inferred.**Sicnag via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

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 $27,000

Sep 4, 2024 · Mecum Dallas 2024
Modified H-code Formula S fastback BH29H8B212357 with a fuel-injected 383 V8 and four-speed manual. · modified · unknown Mecum identifies the sold lot, exact VIN, fuel-injected 383 configuration, and four-speed transmission; CLASSIC.COM records the $27,000 result and classifies the car as modified. This record is retained as a modified-car comparison rather than a stock Formula S benchmark.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Fastback BH29H8B212357 auction result 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Fastback BH29H8B212357 sale record
High bid $42,000

Jan 9, 2020 · Mecum Kissimmee 2020
H-code Formula S convertible BH27H8B400490 with an original-engine claim, 383 V8, A833 four-speed manual, and 3.23 rear axle. · unknown · unknown Mecum records a $42,000 Bid Goes On high bid rather than a completed sale. The archive identifies the VIN, convertible body, four-speed transmission, Sunfire Yellow finish, fender-tag decode, and original-engine claim. No restoration history or policy-compatible condition grade is supplied, so build state and condition remain unknown.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S Convertible BH27H8B400490 auction result
Auction sale $51,700

Jan 10, 2019 · Mecum Kissimmee 2019
Restored H-code Formula S fastback BH29H8B153436 with matching-numbers 383/300 HP V8 and TorqueFlite automatic. · restored · unknown Mecum records a $51,700 sale for VIN BH29H8B153436. The archive describes a rotisserie restoration, matching-numbers engine and transmission, Chrysler Registry report, 3.23 Sure Grip axle, and power front disc brakes. Consignor descriptions and originality claims remain representations unless independently authenticated.
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S BH29H8B153436 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 4.25 x 3.38 inches · 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 383 CID V-8 · engine assembly / specification
Compression ratio 10.0:1 nominal · 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 383 CID V-8 · engine assembly / specification
Firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 · 1968 Plymouth Barracuda V-8 engines including 383 CID · ignition / specification
Carter AVS 4401 S AVS-4401 S · 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 383 CID V-8 with automatic transmission · carburetor / carburetor list
Carter AVS 4426 S AVS-4426 S · 1968 Plymouth Barracuda 383 CID V-8 with manual transmission · carburetor / carburetor list

Transmission

Factory transmission A-833 4-speed manual
Factory transmission 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic

Options

383 Four-Barrel reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

Formula S 383 Formula S package with 383 CID 300 HP V-8 optional · performance · Source lists Formula S package pricing and describes 383 as one of the Formula S engine paths.
Sure Grip Sure Grip positive-traction rear axle optional · chassis · Available with Formula S rear axle ratios per Hemmings and fact-sheet option list.
D9 Front disc brakes optional · chassis · Hemmings describes optional front discs; feature-car fender tag example decodes D9 as front disc brakes.
Rallye Cluster Rallye instrument cluster optional · interior · Included 150-mph speedometer, trip odometer, and wood-grained dash trim.
Decor Group Interior decor group optional · interior · Hemmings describes basket-weave seat inserts, woodgrained trim panels, map pouches, bright pedal trim and related interior upgrades.
351 Basic accessory group with 383 CID engine optional · other · 1968 Plymouth Barracuda factory-installed options pocket guide lists Basic with 383 CID engine across hardtop, fastback, and convertible with suggested retail price $81.25.
353 Sport accessory group optional · appearance · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists Sport accessory group across hardtop, fastback, and convertible with suggested retail price $53.20.
355 Light Package optional · comfort · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists Light Package across hardtop, fastback, and convertible with suggested retail price $28.55.
624 Heavy-duty suspension standard · chassis · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists H.D. Suspension as standard with Formula S Package; the separate six-cylinder-only price row is not treated as Formula S 383 equipment.
486 Console with bucket seats optional · interior · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists Console with bucket seats only and not with three-speed column-shift manual transmission; suggested retail price $53.35.
451 Power brakes optional · chassis · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists power brakes across hardtop, fastback, and convertible with suggested retail price $41.15.
456 Power steering optional · comfort · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists power steering across hardtop, fastback, and convertible; it was not available with fast manual steering.
638 Firm-ride shock absorbers standard · chassis · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists firm-ride shock absorbers as standard with Formula S.
628 Fast manual steering optional · chassis · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists fast manual steering across hardtop, fastback, and convertible; it was not available with power steering.
393 Four-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists manual four-speed for 8-cylinder Barracuda models with floor-mounted shifter and suggested retail price $179.15.
395 TorqueFlite automatic transmission with 383 CID engine optional · performance · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists TorqueFlite for 383 CID engine only, requiring bucket seats and console, with suggested retail price $227.05.
Sport Stripes Sport Stripes optional · appearance · Factory-installed options pocket guide lists Sport Stripes across hardtop, fastback, and convertible with suggested retail price $20.40; no order code is visible in the reviewed OCR text.

Paint

**Exact-year Barracuda fastback with visible Formula S fender badge and stripe for exterior detail; the image does not establish the 383 engine or authenticate an individual car.**Sicnag via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

A Silver factory · factory
B Black factory · factory
E Midnight Blue factory · factory
F Mist Green factory · factory
G Forest Green factory · factory
J Ember Gold factory · factory
L Surf Turquoise factory · factory
M Turbine Bronze factory · factory
P Matador Red factory · factory
Q Electric Blue factory · factory
R Burgundy factory · factory
S Sunfire Yellow factory · factory
T Avocado Green factory · factory
U Frost Blue factory · factory
W White factory · factory
X Satin Beige factory · factory
Y Sierra Tan factory · factory
Z Hawaiian Blue factory · factory

Appearance

Bright hood inserts marked 383-S factory · hood
Formula S/front-fender identification factory · badge
Sport Stripes in red, black, white, green, or blue optional · stripe
14 x 5.5-inch steel wheels with E70-14 Red Streak tires factory · wheel
Chromed hinged Pit Stop gas cap factory · other

Interior

Bench or bucket seats in hardtops and fastbacks; buckets in convertibles factory · seat
Fold-down rear seat in fastback factory · seat
Rallye instrument cluster with 150-mph speedometer and trip odometer optional · gauge
Console with bucket seats, except with three-speed optional · console
Decor group basket-weave seat inserts and woodgrained door/quarter trim panels optional · trim

Chassis

Torsion-bar front suspension with upper and lower control arms Suspension · factory
Semi-elliptic six-leaf rear springs and firm-ride hydraulic shocks Suspension · factory
V-8 drum brakes Brakes · standard
Front disc brakes with rear drums Brakes · optional
8 3/4-inch Hotchkiss rear axle Rear axle · 3.23:1 standard · standard
Sure-Grip limited-slip rear axle Rear axle · 3.23:1 or 3.55:1 with either transmission; 3.91:1 with four-speed only · limited-slip · optional

Production

Transmission Choices reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1968 Barracuda model-line total total · 45,412 · documented
1968 Barracuda fastback total by body · 22,575 · documented
1968 Barracuda hardtop total by body · 19,997 · documented
1968 Barracuda convertible total by body · 2,840 · documented
Formula S 383 fastback by engine · 963 · documented
Formula S 383 hardtop by engine · 252 · documented
Formula S 383 convertible by engine · 64 · documented
Formula S 383 total (corroborative forum-hosted Chrysler Historical Collection figure) by engine · 1,279 · reported

Authenticity

Rear Axle reference for the 1968 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S 383Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

VIN engine code H in the engine-position for a 383-equipped 1968 Barracuda VIN example format · Driver-side dash VIN plate at windshield base; compare to fender tag and title records. · fraud detection
383 engine partial VIN stamping Last eight VIN digits sometimes stamped; Hemmings locates 383 stamping on passenger side near engine mount above oil-pan rail. · Passenger side of 383 block near engine mount/oil-pan rail. · numbers matching
Engine identification number PT plant prefix for Trenton-built 383 noted by Hemmings, followed by displacement/date/sequence format. · Driver side of 383 block near rear/oil-pan rail per Hemmings. · date correctness
Transmission identification A-833 pad begins PP833; 727 pad begins PK followed by part/date/sequence data. · A-833 passenger-side case pad; 727 driver-side pan rail or noted mounting-flange location on some 1968 examples. · numbers matching
Rear axle ratio tag Rectangular tag on housing stud identifies axle ratio. · Rear axle housing stud/tag. · trim correctness

Still Researching

engine Core 383 specifications plus AMA bore/stroke, compression, firing order, and Carter AVS manual/automatic carburetor list numbers are recorded, but complete casting, distributor, and assembly-date 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, option codes, and factory parts catalog numbers are now fully structured, but verifying the exact brake setup on any individual vehicle inherently requires subject-car documentation (fender tag, broadcast sheet, or invoice) or physical component inspection.
suspension Heavy-duty suspension is recorded, but complete torsion-bar, spring, shock, and stabilizer applications are not.
option packages A period Plymouth Barracuda factory-installed options pocket guide confirms selected accessory-group, chassis, interior, transmission, and appearance rows with order codes, availability notes, and prices. The complete compatibility and price matrix still needs to be normalized from the factory guide.
production Formula S 383 body-style totals are reference-source figures and no production by transmission, paint, or option combination is verified.
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.