Trip Map

Gettin' Our Kicks at 66!

Pre-1964

Leaving Chicago, Illinois...

The Barracuda photos and descriptions on this page were pilfered from Muscle Car Club.

Events

1962
James M. Skipper marries Ann Jones. Wedding Picture
John Glenn becomes the first American in orbit, in the Friendship 7, February 20. (NASA Visions of Space, Kerrod, Robin, p 32)
Scott Carpenter orbits the earth in Aurora 7, May 24. (ibid)
Walter Schirra orbits the earth in Sigma 7Sigma 7, October 3. (ibid)
1963
James Maxwell Skipper Jr.is born
Jim Skipper attends "Government Day" at the University of Arkansas, where he is a graduating Electrical Engineering senior.
He gets a job with the government agency NASA , created 3.5 years before, and moves to Houston, Texas.

The X-15 aircraft sets an altitude record of 67 miles (NASA publication SP-2002-09-511-HQ)

Gordon Cooper orbits the earth 22 times in Faith 7, the last flight of the Mercury program, May 15.

Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman to orbit the earth.

President Kennedy, champion of the Space Program, is assassinated, November 22.

October 14

The sign bearing the words "Start of Historic Route 66" is at the junction of Adams street and Michigan Avenue in Chigago, ILLINOIS. (Travelling Route 66 by Nick Freeth)
That is where we will start.
We'll pass through Joliet, Elwood, Wilmington, Gardner, Dwight, Odell, Pontiac, Chenoa, Lexington, Towanda, Normal/Bloomington and stop in Funk's Grove to look around.
We'll have lunch in McLean at Dixie's Trucker Home. Hold the phone - I just looked Dixie's up on the Internet, and it seems they are no longer in business! I guess we'll have to find another place.
We'll go on through Lincoln, Broadwell, Elkhart, Williamsburg, Sherman, and stop at the Capitol in Springfield for the night.

1964

Leaving Springfield, Illinois...

The Plymouth Barracuda was the first pony car, debuting two weeks before the Ford Mustang. It was quickly eclipsed by the Mustang and the Camaro/Firebird due, but would make a name for itself in 1970 when it was available with an engine its competition could only dream of, the Hemi.

Events

Louis Skipper is born and the Skippers move to Pearland

April 1 – The Barracuda is introduced 17 days before the Mustang

The Beatles invade America.

The television show "Route 66" ends.

October 15

We'll continue through Divernon, Farmersville, Waggoner, Litchfield, Mt. Olive, Staunton, Hamel, Edwardsville, Mitchell, and East St. Louis.
Then, we'll cross the Mighty Mississip and go to St. Louis, MISSOURI. We'll stop for lunch around here.
After lunch, it's on through Eureka, Pacific, Gray Summit, St. Clair, Stanton, Sullivan, Bourbon, Cuba, and Rosatii.
We'll stop for the night in Rolla.

1965

Leaving Rolla, Missouri...

1965 saw the introduction of the "Formula S" performance option, although the Plymouth Barracuda still was far from a performance car. The 225 Slant Six officially replaced the 170 Slant Six as the standard engine.

Events

Houston Astrodome opens.
Virgil Grissom and John Young took a 3-orbit test flight in Gemini III, March 23.
Jim Skipper volunteers to be a Suit Test Subject in preparation for Ed White's EVA (spacewalk).
Edward White made the first American spacewalk in June on the Gemini IV.
Gemini V stayed in space nearly 8 days in August.
Gemini VII stayed in space 14 days and rendezvoused with Gemini VI, December.

Day 3

Today, we head to Martin Springs, Arlington and make a visit in Devil's Elbow.
We go on through Waynesville, Buckhorn, Hazelgreen(Be sure to check out this link. It has some good pictures.), and make a stop in Lebanon.
Then, it's on to Phillipsburg, Conway, Springfield, Halltown, and Phelps.
We'll probably stop for the night in Carthage.

1966

Leaving Springfield, Missouri...

The Barracuda received a facelift in 1966 like the Valiant, but received its own grill and exterior design. Distinct Barracuda "fish" emblems were added, which would remain until 1970. Engine choices continued unchanged.

Events

Skippers buy a 1966 Plymouth Barracuda

For 1966, the Barracuda gets a different grill from the Valiant and gets the fish emblem

48-hour Christmas truce observed in Vietnam.

U.S. Spacecraft Surveyor 1 lands on moon and transmits more than 11,000 TV images of the terrain.

Two male dogs sent into orbit aboard Soviet satellite Cosmos 110.

Gemini VIII conducts the first docking in space, March.

Jim Skipper receives three certificates for his work on the Gemini program. (Certificates)

Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. steps out of the Gemini XII spacecraft for 129 minutes, November.

U.S. car registrations total 78 million passenger cars and 16 million trucks and buses.

U. S. population totals 195,827,000.

Walt Disney dies.

(The Timetables of History by Bewrnard Grun)

The Fireball 500 with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello features a modified ‘66 Barracuda named Fireball 500.

October 16

Next up are Webb City, Joplin, and we cross the border into KANSAS at Galena. Next, it's through Riverton, and we'll stop at Baxter Springs, if we didn't stop at Carthage. If we did stop at Carthage, we'll continue into Oklahoma, through Quapaw and Commerce. We'll stop in Miami to see the Colman Theater. From there, we go through Afton, Vinita, Foyil, Claremore, and Catoosa (home of the "famous" Blue Whale). We'll stop for lunch in Tulsa. After Tulsa, it's on to Sapulpa, Bristow, Chandler, Wellston, and Luther. We'll stop in Arcadia for the night.

1967

Leaving Edmond, Oklahoma...

The Barracuda finally became a true pony car in 1967. The Barracuda was redesigned on a new, longer wheelbase and offered a choice of V8s, two 273 cid V8s and a new 383 cid V8. The Slant Six engine was officially dropped.

Events

Becky Skipper was born

Plymouth re-designed the Barracuda.

Gus Grissom, Roger Chaffee, and Ed White died in Apollo 1 fire

October 17

We head for Oklahoma City,Yukon, El Reno, Hydro, and stop for lunch in Clinton. From there, we move on through Foss, Canute, Elk City, Sayre, Texola, and we stop for the night in Shamrock, Texas

1968

Leaving Amarillo, Texas...

The Barracuda received minor styling changes and a greater availability of engines for 1968 with the reintroduction of the 225 Slant Six engine. The top of the line 383 also received a power boost. The 273 cid engines were retired. To give the Barracuda more of a performance image, Plymouth quietly built a small number of Hemi powered Barracudas to give to professional drag racers.

Events

John Skipper was born

Apollo 8 Circumnavigated the Moon

Elvis Presley drives a Barracuda (1968 model?) in "Speedway"

October 18

We start today in Texas, our home state. At Lela, we hit the 1000 mile mark on our trip. We continue through McLean, Alanreed, Jericho Gap, Groom, Lark, Conway, and stop in Amarillo for lunch. Then it is on through Vega, Adrian, and Glenrio, where we cross into New Mexico. From there, it's on through Endee, Bard, San Jon, and Albuquerque, where we stop for the night.

1969

Leaving McCartys, New Mexico...

1969 was the year that Plymouth finally got serious about performance. They boosted the output of the 383 cid engine to 330 bhp and found room to fit power steering. Plymouth also introduced a cosmetic package built around the Formula S option, which they called the 'Cuda.

Events

Apollo 11 landed on the moon!!
Mike Brady (of the Brady Bunch) drives a 1968 Dodge Polara convertible in the Pilot and a 1969 Plymouth Fury III in the remainder of that season and season 2. (recently restored to showroom condition)

October 19

This morning, we start out for Montoya, Newkirk, Cuervo, and Santa Rosa. We'll stop for lunch in Cline's Corners, then continue through Moriarty, Edgewood, Barton, Tijeras, Albuquerque, Nine Mile Hill, Rio Puerco, New Laguna, Paraje, Budville, Vila de Cubero, San Fidel, and stop for the night in Albuquerque.

1970

Leaving Albuquerque, New Mexico...

Plymouth finally got the performance angle right for 1970, and they went full force into it. The Barracuda was moved over to the E-body platform, which it shared with the new Dodge Challenger. The performance models were called 'Cudas and featured five different V8s, the 340, 383, 440, 440+6, and the almighty 426 Hemi.

Events

The peak year for muscle cars

The Hemi 'Cuda comes out?

Jim Skipper receives a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to the safe return of the Apollo 13 astronauts.

Carol Brady drives a 1970 Plymouth Satellite Wagon

October 19

Today, we head out for Grants, Milan, Bluewater, Prewitt, Thoreau, and stop for lunch in Gallup. After lunch, we head through Allison and Mentmore. Between Manuelito and Lupton, we cross into Arizona. Then, we continue on through Chambers and Navajo, before stopping for the night in Holbrook.

1971

Leaving Holbrook, Arizona...

The Plymouth Barracuda continued into 1971 with minor styling changes, including a segmented grille with twin headlamps, dummy front fender vents, and segmented tail lamps. A full range of engines were available and the top performance models were once again called 'Cudas. The AAR 'Cuda was no longer available. To deal with increasingly strict emission laws, Plymouth was forced to detune some of their engines, resulting in a drop in the power ratings. Only 115 Hemi 'Cudas were sold and Plymouth decided to retire the Hemi engine before it had to be detuned to meet the new emission standards. Therefore, the Hemi would end its reign as the most feared and possibly most influential engine of the muscle car era.

Events

According to CNNMoney.com in 2006, a 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible is worth $2 million per Kelley Blue Book

http://money.cnn.com/popups/2006/autos/muscle/frameset_cnn.exclude.html

Mike Brady drives a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible this season.

Carol Brady drives a 1971 Plymouth Satellite Wagon.

October 20

After Holbrook, we move on through Joseph City, Winslow, Meteor City, andTwin Arrows. We'll stop for lunch around Winona or Flagstaff. Then, we'll move on to Williams, consider a visit to the Grand Canyon, and move on through Ash Fork. We'll spend the night in Seligman.

1972

Leaving Seligman, Arizona...

1972 was a sad year for performance fans as the mighty Hemi and the 383 engines were retired because they couldn't meet the new emission standards. The remaining engines had to be detuned and were now rated in net horsepower numbers, which on the surface seemed like a huge drop in power.

Events

The Skippers, in their Barracuda, make a trip to Disney World and to watch the Apollo 16 launch. (Picture of Barracuda at the launch site)
Mike Brady drives a modified 1971 Plymouth Barracuda convertible this season.

October 21 - 22

Up ahead are the Grand Canyon Caverns, Peach Springs, Truxton, Hackberry, Kingman, and Oatman, where we'll stop for lunch. After Topock, we cross into California. At Needles, we will have driven our birth year in miles (1941). From there, it's on to Goffs and Amboy, where it will be time to stop, but there seems to be no place to stay there. The landmark Roy's Cafe and Motel was purchased in March 2005 by Albert Okura of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain, who plans to restore it to its former glory. Don't know if it will be ready by our trip. We've also crossed the 2000-mile mark now.

1973

Leaving Needles, California...

The six cylinder engine was removed and the entry level model now had the 318 V8. Optional was the 340 V8 which came standard on the 'Cuda. In mid year, the 340 was replaced by a new 360 cid V8.

Events

Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes, held in the Astrodome, September 20.

October 23

Next on the route is Bagdad, Ludlow, Newberry Springs, Daggett, and Barstow, where we'll stop for lunch. Then it's on through Lenwood, Helendale, Oro Grande, Victorville, and Cajon Summit. We will either stop for the night in San Bernadino or continue on to LaVerne

1974

Leaving San Bernadino, California...

1974 was the last year for the true Barracudas, which continued with 318 and 360 engines. The Barracuda would never return again as a true performance vehicle.

Events

The last model year for Barracudas and most other muscle cars as the Oil Crisis and rising gas prices kill the market for high-performance, gas-guzzling cars

October 24

This will be our last day on Route 66. We head this morning for Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Claremont, LaVerne, Glendora, Azusa, Duarte, Monrovia, Edmond, Pasadena, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, where we end our Route 66 leg of the trip with a well-deserved lunch.

Post - 1974

Leaving Santa Monica, California...

Events

1977
Heart records "Barracuda"
1982
The Skipper Barracuda makes a trip to the top of Pike's Peak (with the Skippers) for the Skipper's 20th anniversary. The Barracuda passes 150,000 miles on the trip.
At 160,000 miles, the Barracuda's heads were pulled for a valve job.

October 25

Now, it's only 1400 miles back to Pearland (just southeast of Houston, Texas)!!

Location

Jim's Trip Blog

Ann's Trip Blog

Last known location:

Day 22

10/29/2007 1:30 pm CDT - Home!
10/29/2007 12:00 pm CDT - Gringo's, Pearland, TX
10/29/2007 8:30 am CDT - Leaving Seguin, TX

Day 21

10/28/2007 7:30 pm CDT - Seguin, TX
10/28/2007 2:30 pm CDT - Leaving San Angelo, TX

Day 20

10/27/2007 4:00 pm CDT - San Angelo, TX
10/27/2007 12:00 pm CDT - Big Spring, TX
10/27/2007 8:30 am CDT - Leaving Van Horn, TX

Day 19

10/26/2007 6:50 pm CDT - Van Horn, TX
10/26/2007 3:00 pm CDT - Deming, NM
10/26/2007 9:40 am CDT - Leaving Tucson, AZ

Day 18

10/25/2007 7:00 pm CDT - Tucson, AZ
10/25/2007 3:45 pm CDT - Phoenix, AZ
10/25/2007 10:00 am CDT - Leaving Calimesa, CA
10/25/2007 12:30 am CDT - Calimesa, CA

Day 17

10/24/2007 2:45 pm CDT - Buellton, CA and headed back home
10/24/2007 12:15 pm CDT - Oxnard, CA 10/24/2007 10:00 am CDT - Leaving Santa Monica, CA

Day 16

10/23/2007 8:00 pm CDT - SANTA MONICA, CA !!!!!
10/23/2007 2:00 pm CDT - Hesperia, CA 10/23/2007 12:00 pm CDT - Still in Barstow, CA - prevented from further travel by the wildfires. Please pray that the wildfires will be brought under control and for the people whose lives and homes are threatened.

Day 15

10/22/2007 5:30 pm CDT - Barstow, CA
10/22/2007 2:15 pm CDT - middle of desert - still have cell service
10/22/2007 12:00 noon CDT - Oatman, AZ
10/22/2007 9:50 am CDT - Leaving Kingman,AZ

Day 14

10/21/2007 2:30 pm CDT - Kingman, AZ
10/21/2007 10:00 am CDT - Leaving Seligman, AZ

Day 13

10/20/2007 5:30 pm CDT - Seligman, AZ
10/20/2007 2:45 pm CDT - Flagstaff, AZ
10/20/2007 11:30 pm CDT - Winslow, AZ (Standing on the corner)
10/20/2007 9:50 am CDT - Leaving Holbrook, AZ

Day 12

10/19/2007 8:43 pm CDT - Holbrook, AZ
10/19/2007 5:20 pm CDT - Leaving Grants, NM again!
10/19/2007 3:20 pm CDT - Grants, NM again!
- Rear axle bearing went out. Had to backtrack to find a mechanic. Fortunately, Jim brought the hard to find bearing to replace it with him. Found an open shop that could do it right away.
10/19/2007 1:20 pm CDT - Grants, NM
10/19/2007 9:45 am CDT - Left Albuquerque, NM

Day 11

10/18/2007 6:45 pm CDT - Albuquerque, NM
10/18/2007 2:30 pm CDT - Tucumcari, NM
10/18/2007 9:00 am - Leaving Amarillo, TX

Day 10 (Happy Birthday, Ann!)

10/17/2007 7:50 pm - Amarillo, TX
10/17/2007 5:00 pm - McLean, TX
10/17/2007 10:10 am - Left Olkahoma City, OK

Day 9

10/16/2007 6:30 pm - Olkahoma City, OK
10/16/2007 1:10 pm - Met Becky at Tulsa, OK
10/16/2007 12:35 pm - Becky arrived at Tulsa, OK
10/16/2007 8:05 am - Left Springfield, MO

Day 8

10/15/2007 6:45 pm - Springfield, MO
10/15/2007 1:30 pm - Lunch at Eureka, MO
10/15/2007 8:00 am - Left Springfield, IL

Day 7

10/14/2007 6:30 pm - Springfield, IL
10/14/2007 1:30 pm - Wilmington, IL
10/14/2007 8:00 am - Left Elgin, IL headed for downtown Chicago

Day 6

10/13/2007 All day in Elgin, IL

Day 5

10/12/2007 7:30 pm - Elgin, IL
10/12/2007 11:30 am - St. Louis, MO
10/12/2007 9:00 am - Left Rolla, MO

Day 4

10/11/2007 6:00 pm - Rolla, MO
10/11/2007 3:11 pm - Marshfield, MO
10/11/2007 9:50 am - Bella Vista, AR
10/11/2007 8:50 am - Left Springdale, AR

Day 3

10/10/2007 1:30 pm - Springdale, AR
10/10/2007 10:00 am - Left Russelville, AR

Day 2

10/9/2007 3:00 pm - Russelville, AR
10/9/2007 9:49 am - Left Hope, AR

Day 1

10/8/2007 4:40 pm - Hope, AR
10/8/2007 1:55 pm - Marshall, TX
--Car has died twice while going slowly, but started right up.
10/8/2007 10:35 am - Splendora, TX
10/8/2007 9:30 am - Left the Pearland IHOP.

Events

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