Early Valiant Barracuda Club home page

The following photo and article in Jan. 2003 Car&Driver magazine caught my attention!

 

by Erik Ievins
Jan. 2003

2003 Mazda RX-8

 

Hmmm. You think Mazda's design team was admiring a Barracuda? The new RX-8 has the same basic "4-seat sports car" platform, similar curves, nearly identical shape of the side windows, and aside from the tail end being about a foot shorter, it has nearly identical specifications! (Well, OK, it doesn't have 14.4 square feet of back glass.)

 Specification  1966 Barracuda V8  2003 Mazda RX-8
 description  2+2 passenger  2+2 passenger
 powertrain  front engine, RWD  front engine, RWD
 horsepower  180, 235  207, 247
 torque, lb-ft  260, 280  159, 164
 wheelbase  106"  106.3"
 length  188.3"  174.6"
 width  70.2"  69.7"
 height  52.9"  52.8"
 curb weight  ~3000 lb  3000-3050 lb

 

And just like in the Barracuda, the trunk holds about 2 golf bags. There's no mention of a pass-through compartment, which is too bad... but the 4-door access looks pretty interesting.

 

I simply could not resist creating a direct photo comparison.

A very interesting update to a 40-year-old design. I'm ready for a test drive.

 

* special thanks to www.rockymountainclassics.com for permission to use the Barracuda photo and their wonderful Colorado scenery. They've got some great cars for sale, check 'em out!