Original price: $3,600.00
On loan from: Jennifer Lynn Clevenger, Kearney, NE; previously owned for 30 years by William Johnson, Simi Valley, CA
Number made: 638 (937 total production)
Engine, etc.: 318 cu. in. V8; air conditioning (only 42 were ordered with air conditioning); 108” wheelbase, 2,857 lbs.
The “flower power” psychedelic period of the 1960’s affected many areas of American culture. It was a time of tie-dyed shirts and the flower-power-peace movement. Automotive designs and styling changes followed this trend.
Chrysler’s Plymouth division introduced a new design for their Barracuda that included performance options as standard equipment. The “Mod Top” was a special design aimed at a more youth-oriented customer and young women. An advertisement stated: “We’ve been designing cars with gals in mind for years.”
The Mod Top Barracuda models were made in relatively low numbers: only 937 were produced. The top was sun-fire yellow with a floral print design. Most were made in yellow although a few were in green. Models with green vinyl bucket seats were also available.
Floral seat inserts were included in interior color combinations also. Barracuda models came in three body styles: fastback, hardtop, and convertible. The Mod Tops were made in hardtop models only.
The company that developed the color combinations was Stauffer Plastics Division which was in the business of making shower curtains and tablecloths. Chrysler authorized it to develop the floral design for the Mod Top special models. The flowered vinyl roof was also available in the Plymouth Satellite hardtop.
Special Mod Top decals on Barracuda models indicated they were an authentic Mod Top model.
Other Dodge models also offered the floral top design but were not referred to as “Mod Top” models. They were called “Floral Tops” and included the Dodge Swinger, Swinger 340, Dart Custom, and Dart GT hardtop models.
Registry of Mod Top 1969 – 1970 Plymouths and Dodges: http://www.mooresmopars.com/modtops.html
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=8232&year=1969&model=33792