‘Bullet’ Bob Reed’s Legendary 1968 HEMI® Barracuda Lives Again

Some cars are fast. Others are famous. But only a few are feared. Bob Reed’s 1968 HEMI® Barracuda—nicknamed “The Kid”—was all three. Built by Chrysler and Hurst Performance as a no-nonsense, purpose-built drag car, this SS/AA monster racked up records, wins, and respect everywhere it ran. And now, after decades of legends and lore, it’s back in action.

Recently, the Gary’s Garage YouTube channel announced they’ve acquired Reed’s original Super Stock/A HEMI car, known officially as SS/AH 245. This isn’t a clone or tribute car—it’s the real deal. A factory-built BO29-coded HEMI ‘Cuda, restored, running, and just as savage as it was when Bob Reed was powershifting it through the quarter-mile like a man on a mission.

Who Was “Bullet” Bob Reed? – 

If you followed NHRA Super Stock racing in the 1970s and ’80s, the name Bob Reed wasn’t just familiar—it was intimidating. He was known for three things: calm nerves, brutal consistency, and absolute command of a four-speed. They didn’t call him “Bullet Bob” for nothing.

While other drivers coasted, Reed drove. Hard. Aggressive. On the edge. There’s a reason old racing tapes still circulate of him swapping lanes mid-pass without lifting. He didn’t flinch. He corrected. And he kept going.

He won the 1987 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, one of the biggest drag racing events in the world, and even held the NHRA SS/A national record with a jaw-dropping 8.88 seconds at 151.41 mph—in a car with no traction control, no electronics, and certainly no forgiveness.

A Factory Freak Built to Win – 

In 1968, Chrysler was tired of watching others win. So they built a weapon: the BO29 HEMI Barracuda, stripped down and beefed up in partnership with Hurst Performance. Just 50 of these cars were made for drag racing only—not a single one was street legal.

The cars started life as 383 Formula-S Barracudas, but were quickly gutted—losing everything from bumpers to side glass. Hurst then added:

• A 426 Race HEMI with dual Holley carbs

• Fiberglass fenders, bumpers, and hood

• Featherweight Corning side windows

• Choice of a 4-speed A-833 manual or heavy-duty 727 automatic

• Dana 60 rear end with 4.88 gears

• Super Stock suspension with pinion snubber and leaf springs

Inside, it was bare bones. Just a single seat, no heater, no radio, and a sticker warning: not for street use.

Bob Reed’s car—SS/AH 245—was one of them. He ran it hard, bent it, broke it, won with it, and became part of drag racing folklore.

“The Kid” Gets a Second Shot – 

After years of dormancy and eventual restoration, The Kid is back, thanks to its new caretakers. The team at Gary’s Garage has plans to not just show it, but run it. And when they fired it up for the first time on camera, it wasn’t just another HEMI starting—it was a legacy kicking back to life.

This car isn’t just a piece of Mopar history. It’s a symbol of what happens when factory engineering meets fearless driving. It’s about grit, skill, and horsepower. And in an era of polished builds and plug-in power, it’s refreshing to see raw mechanical muscle get the attention it deserves.