A DECADE AGO

1968 PLYMOUTH BARRACUDA — WAYNE GRIMMER

Wayne Grimmer’s name is synonymous with Hemi-powered Plymouth Barracudas, namely his old 604ci Ray Barton–powered ’73 Cuda — a genuine nine-second, all-motor street car. However, he also made the cover of NZV8 with his race-only ’68 Barracuda fastback, which was imported as a roller. Wayne had Ray Barton build a race-only 604ci Hemi, with a Bryant billet knife-edge crank, billet rods, and gas-ported JE pistons good for around 13.5:1 compression and 1130hp. A Liberty clutchless five-speed and Mark Williams Dana 60 diff transferred brute force to the ground. At the time of the feature, Wayne had managed a PB of 8.30 seconds at 164mph. A decade on, the Yuasa Batteries ’68 Barracuda drag car is still in Wayne’s possession. He mentions that he had an awesome time campaigning the race car for more than seven years, winning numerous titles and setting records. The Barracuda was last raced, with a freshened engine, at the 2014 Nostalgia Drags, enabling Wayne to set a new personal best of 8.10 seconds at 168mph, before retiring from the sport. Wayne would consider selling the car to a serious buyer, but don’t think that the Barracuda’s had its day just yet. You never know — you may even see Wayne back out there racing at selected events.