Custom Barracuda (1968)

==Description==
The Custom Barracuda is a Hot Wheels casting designed by Harry Bradley which debuted in 1968 as part of the first sixteen Hot Wheels ever, sometimes known as the 'Sweet Sixteen'. It is based off the real-life 1967 Plymouth Barracuda.
It was manufactured in 1968 and 1969 at both the USA and Hong Kong factories, with some casting differences between the two countries of origin.
USA manufactured cars have clear glass and Hong Kong (HK) cars have blue tinted glass. USA Barracudas have a detailed interior which includes a dashboard and with a molded in steering wheel while HK cars have a flat piece of plastic representing the dashboard with a separate black steering wheel. USA cars could be found with a white or dark brown interior, while Hong Kong cars could be found with a white, brown-ish/gray, dark brown, silver or purple interior. Purple interiors are usually found in matching purple exterior cars, but have been known to appear (rarely) in Copper and Aqua cars.
The Custom Barracuda features an opening hood which reveals a detailed engine. USA cars have shorter 'power bulges' (hood scoops) and a thinner cowl than their Hong Kong counterparts. Some early HK manufactured cars could also be found with deeper power bulges than usual, these have only been found on Aqua and Purple cars.
Hong Kong cars have a detailed base including four square holes to view the Bent Axle Suspension, these holes are absent from USA built vehicles. There are also several minor base variations involving the size and addition of ™ and © symbols.
Some Custom Barracudas use a mix of parts from both USA and Hong Kong are are referred to as 'Hybrids'. Most 'Hybrid' Custom Barracudas use the USA body, glass and interior with a Hong Kong base. These are much harder to find than standard cars. This oddity was most likely due to material shortages or problems, which required parts to be shipped between factories. 
The Custom Barracuda was painted in a variety of Spectraflame colors, some of which are very rare. Unlike most early 'Redline Era' cars, the Custom Barracuda was never manufactured with a black roof. All Custom Barracudas came with delrin 'Bearing' Redline wheels, with some early produced vehicles from Hong Kong sporting 'Deep Dish' wheels on the front. All came packaged with a metal 'Collector's Button'.
In 1970, the Custom Barracuda was significantly modified and renamed King Kuda, and was released in the Spoilers series. Most notably, the King Kuda featured an exposed blown engine, replacing the one under the opening hood. It also came with the addition of prominent front and rear spoilers. 
In 2011, the Custom Barracuda was re-tooled for the HotWheelsCollectors.com RLC Membership. This casting appears to be based on the original USA casting. The re-tooled version has been used several times since.
==USA Versions==
The Custom Barracuda has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Year	Series 	Color 	Stickers	Base Color/Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country	Notes/Variations	Photo
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Light Blue 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Olive Green 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Antifreeze 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Gold 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Hard To Find 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Copper 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Red 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Hard To Find 	75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Rose 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Creamy 'Lavender' Pink	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	USA 	 	
==Hong Kong Versions==
The Custom Barracuda has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Year	Series 	Color 	Stickers	Base Color/Type	Window Color 	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country 	Notes/Variations	Photo
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Light Blue 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Olive Green 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Copper 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	 	75px75px
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Orange 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Red 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Creamy 'Lavender' Pink	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple 	None 	ZAMAC 	Tinted (Blue)	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	 	
=='Hybrid' Versions==
The Custom Barracuda has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Year	Series 	Color 	Stickers	Base Color/Type	Window Color	Interior Color	Wheel Type	Toy #	Country 	Notes/Variations	Photo
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Blue 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Aqua 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Green 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Antifreeze	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Gold 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Orange 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Very Rare 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Rose 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Hard To Find 	
1968	Sweet Sixteen	Spectraflame Purple 	None 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Several 	RL 	6211 	Hong Kong	Hard To Find 	
==Retooled Versions==
The Custom Barracuda has come out in the following 1/64 scale versions:
Year	Series 	Color 	Tampo 	Base Color/Type	Window Color 	Interior Color	Wheel Type 	Toy #	Country 	Notes 	Photo
2011	RLC Membership 	Chrome 	Red, black, & silver stripe, "Barracuda", & RLC logo on sides; small "PLYMOUTH" on hood; painted headlights & taillight bar	Chrome/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	NCRL 	V0472	Thailand	3,000 producedBase code(s): D01 	75px
2011	RLC Membership 	Spectraflame red 	Red, black, & silver stripe, "Barracuda", & RLC logo on sides; small "PLYMOUTH" on hood; painted headlights & taillight bar	Chrome/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	NCRL 	V0473	Thailand	3,500 producedBase code(s): D01 	75px
2011	RLC Membership 	Spectraflame blue 	Red, black, & silver stripe, "Barracuda", & RLC logo on sides; small "PLYMOUTH" on hood; painted headlights & taillight bar	Chrome/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	NCRL 	V0474	Thailand	4,000 producedBase code(s): D02 	75px
2011	RLC Membership 	Spectraflame purple 	Red, black, & silver stripe, "Barracuda", & RLC logo on sides; small "PLYMOUTH" on hood; painted headlights & taillight bar	Chrome/Metal 	Clear 	Black 	NCRL 	V0475	Thailand	4,500 producedBase code(s): D02 	75px
2014	14th Annual Hot Wheels Nationals Convention4/4	Metallic Burgundy 	Checkered Flag and Blue Stripes on Side, Black Hood, Convention Logo on Roof 	ZAMAC 	Clear 	Black 	RR5SP & Mini RR5SP 	BLR35	Thailand	1,200 producedFinale carBase code(s): 	
2016	HWC.com Series 14: Real Riders4/4 	Spectraflame antifreeze	"Barracuda" & black stripes on sides, matte black hood, painted headlights & taillight bar 	Chrome/Metal 	Clear 	Green 	RLRR5SP & mini RLRR5SP	DTH32	China 	5,000 producedProduction code(s): 3196 EAA	
2018	Original 16 	Spectraflame blue 	Black Grille, Tail Lights 	Chrome/Metal 	Tinted (Pale Blue)	Black 	NCRL 	FPN47	China 	6,000 produced 	
2018	HWC.com Original 16 Display 	Spectraflame antifreeze	Black Grille, Tail Lights 	Chrome/Metal 	Tinted (Pale Blue)	Cream 	NCRL 	FNC23	China 	1,500 producedProduction date(s): 1228 EAA	
==Notes==
*Some releases of the re-tooled King Kuda have been named 'Custom Plymouth Barracuda'. This is a completely different casting.
==Similar Castings==
*King Kuda
*King Kuda (Re-Tool) (Exposed Engine)
*King Kuda (Re-Tool) (Closed Hood)
==Gallery==
Custom Barracuda USA vs Kong.jpg|Hood Differences of US vs Hong Kong
Custom Barracuda USA vs Kong (2).jpg|Base Differences of US vs Hong Kong
Barracuda purple.JPG|Purple HK 'Cuda
Cuda HK purple 1968.jpg|Hong Kong - Purple (White Interior)
CstmCdaAqW.JPG|Aqua - Hong Kong
CustomBarracudaHKAquaRestored.jpg|Hong Kong Aqua (Restored)
CustomBarracudaHKAquaNord.PNG|Hong Kong - Aqua
CstmCudaGldW.JPG|Gold - USA
Cuda copper US 1968.jpg|Hong Kong - Copper with Purple Interior (restored)
Custombarracuda.jpg|Hong Kong - Copper
CustomBarracudaHKOrangeRestored.jpg|Hong Kong Orange (Restored, originally Copper)
Cuda red US 1968.jpg|USA Red
CustomBarracudaUSABlue.PNG|USA - Blue
CustomBarracudaHKPurplePurpIntDDFront.PNG|Hong Kong - Purple (Purple Interior and early production 'Deep Dish' wheels on front.)
CustomBarracudaHKOrange2.jpg|Rare Hong Kong Orange
Custom_Barracuda_USA_blue_1968_white_Int.jpg
File:CustomBarracudaHKGreen.PNG|Green HongKong Barracuda, Dark Interior
File:1968 Custom Barracuda Aqua different Interior Colors.jpg|Aqua HK Custom Barracuda different Interior Colors
RLC 2011 Custom Plymouth Barracuda Chrome Thailand V0472.jpg|RLC Membership Car 2011
RLC 2011 Custom Plymouth Barracuda Red Thailand V0473.jpg|RLC Membership Car 2011
RLC 2011 Custom Plymouth Barracuda Blue Thailand V0474.jpg|RLC Membership Car 2011
RLC 2011 Custom Plymouth Barracuda Purple Thailand V0475.jpg|RLC Membership Car 2011
RLC 2016 Custom Barracuda Antifreeze China DTH32.jpg|RLC 2016
RLC 2016 Custom Barracuda Antifreeze China DTH32 Back of Card.jpg|RLC Back of Card 2016
Category:Licensed Hot Wheels
Category:Plymouth Cars
Category:1968 Hot Wheels
Category:Original 16
Category:Harry Bradley Designs
Category:2011 Hot Wheels
Category:American Cars
Category:Red Line Club Membership Cars
Category:Vehicles with Movable Parts
Category:Muscle Cars
Category:Barracudas
Category:2018 Hot Wheels
Category:HotWheelsCollectors.com Series
Category:Retooled Versions
Category:2014 Hot Wheels
Category:2016 Hot Wheels
Category:Coupes
Category:1:64
Category:Hot Wheels Nationals Conventions
Category:14th Annual Hot Wheels Collectors Nationals
Category:Two/Three-door Vehicles
Category:Chrysler Vehicles