Home > Motors

McLaren F1-Team-Inspired American Muscle: eBay Auctions Custom ’73 Barracuda

The one-of-a-kind eBay Motors/McLaren Racing 1973 Barracuda restomod debuted to the public at the U.S. F1 Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Now, it could be yours.
McLaren Barracuda 1973 restomod in papaya orange(Photo/eBay Motors)
Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

As state-of-art, carbon-fiber rocket cars screamed qualifying laps inside the Circuit of the Americas road course, throngs of F1 fans gawked at the machine parked outside the track. It was heavy, and steel, and old. Yet, next to the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren, it might have been the prettiest vehicle at the venue.

That’s because despite the pinnacle of engineering and speed on hand, no other car boasted the classic American muscle heritage. Arguably the most iconic of the big-engine, big-body muscle era, the 1973 Barracuda is a rare mix of beauty and beast. And this particular Barracuda was even more distinguished among its lineage, thanks to some modern technology and a little McLaren magic.

1973 plymouth barracuda on lift before restomod
(Photo/eBay Motors)

Part of a project to highlight the capacity of the eBay Motors marketplace — and boost the buzz for the McLaren F1 race team — this ’73 Barracuda not only used parts and upgrades sourced exclusively from eBay Motors, but it also received McLaren’s exclusive “papaya” orange wrap and a signature from the team’s star driver, Lando Norris.

Now eBay Motors and McLaren Racing want to capitalize on the buzz to do some good and send this modern classic to one worthy auction winner. Beginning today, you can bid on the one-of-a-kind Plymouth Barracuda restomod on eBay. All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Society of Women Engineers, a nod to the car’s chief upgrade mechanic, Alex Taylor.

eBay Motors Auction: Restomod Barracuda

While the original car was in good shape and “already heavily restored when eBay purchased it,” according to Taylor, she still put in plenty of hours to truly modernize the muscle.

1973 Plymouth Barracuda interior comparison before and after restoration-modification
Original interior (top), upgraded interior (bottom); (photo/eBay Motors)

Highlighting the upgrades are a coilover conversion for front and rear suspension, forged front and rear disc brakes, performance headers and exhaust, updated headlights and tail lights, a wood steering wheel, and race-inspired bucket seats.

under the hood of a 1973 plymouth barracuda restomod
(Photo/eBay Motors)

Build specs

  • Doug’s Headers ceramic-coated full-length headers
  • Pypes Valance Exit 2½” crossmember back exhaust system
  • QA1 Mopar front & rear street performance coilover conversion ystems
  • Wilwood Forged Dynalite Pro Series front & rear brake kits
  • American Racing Torq Thrust D wheels (front: 15×6″, rear: 15×8″)
  • Cobra radial T/A GT tires (front: 235/60-15, rear: 255/70-15)
lando norris signs 1973 baracuda
(Photo/eBay Motors)

And with its McLaren tie-in, F1 driver Lando Norris signed the dashboard to truly make this machine 1 of 1.

Bidding on the Barracuda started today and ends Nov. 24 at 7:00 p.m. CST. Find full details and photos on eBay’s auction page.

Proffitts Taco Tuesday

'Taco Tuesday': Part '59 Land Cruiser Pickup, Part Supercharged Tacoma, All Toyota

Vintage style meets modern capability in Proffitt's 1959 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ28 pickup restomod, which just debuted at the SEMA Show. Read more…

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!