Flower-Powered 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Heads to Mecum

Every once in a while, a Mopar comes along that defies the typical muscle car formula. Not because it’s the fastest or the most powerful, but because it’s bold, rare, and undeniably tied to a very specific moment in American car culture. That’s exactly what this 1969 Plymouth Barracuda “Mod Top” represents, and it’s heading to the Mecum Larry’s Legacy auction this September as part of the final chapter of Larry Klairmont’s legendary collection.

If you were a young buyer in 1969, the Mod Top was Chrysler’s answer to the flower power generation. At a time when muscle cars were about quarter-mile times and aggressive looks, Plymouth and Dodge decided to try something radically different. They offered a floral vinyl roof, paired with matching interior seat and door panel inserts, that screamed late-’60s fashion. It was a factory option aimed at a new kind of customer—someone more interested in style than stoplight drag races.

This Barracuda is one of only 937 Mod Top-equipped hardtops built in 1969. Painted in Sunfire Yellow (Y2) with the factory floral vinyl roof (order code V1P), it’s a rolling piece of psychedelic art. Step inside, and the theme continues with bucket seats and door panels wrapped in the same botanical pattern. It’s the kind of design that makes people do a double-take at car shows, because it’s unlike anything Detroit dared to do before or since.

Under the hood, this Barracuda isn’t a fire-breathing HEMI or a big-block bruiser. Instead, it’s powered by a reliable 5.2-liter (318-cubic-inch) small-block LA V8 producing 230 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. Backed by a 3-speed 727 automatic transmission, power steering, and dual exhaust, it’s built for cruising, not dragstrip dominance. This car embodies Mopar personality in a different way—it’s the muscle car that wore a floral crown.

The car’s story is as interesting as its appearance. This particular Barracuda spent the last several years in the care of Larry Klairmont, a World War II veteran, self-made businessman, and one of Chicago’s most respected car collectors. Klairmont’s “Klairmont Kollections” museum housed more than 600 vehicles, all carefully curated for their uniqueness and historical importance. This Mod Top fits perfectly with his philosophy of preserving cars that tell a story.

Auction history shows that this Barracuda has been on the move but rarely driven. It first appeared on Hemmings in 2020, showing 32,677 miles, where it hit a high bid of $32,500 but didn’t sell. By April 2024, it crossed the block at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach and sold for $36,300. A few months later, it appeared at Mecum Kissimmee with 33,254 miles and hammered for $40,000. Then, in August 2024, it went to Mecum Monterey and brought $42,000. Today, with just 33,269 miles, it’s changed owners more than it’s added miles—a testament to its collector appeal.

This Mod Top Barracuda comes with the kind of documentation that matters to enthusiasts. The sale includes a laminated copy of the original broadcast sheet, an owner’s manual, and a period factory brochure. Its recognition goes beyond paperwork—it was invited to the prestigious Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) Class of 1969 Invitational Display, which only accepts the most noteworthy and well-preserved examples from the era.

Mechanically, the car has been lightly enhanced but remains true to its roots. The 318 was treated to J-heads, a 4-barrel intake, and Mopar Performance valve covers. Manual drum brakes and torsion-bar suspension keep the driving experience pure late-’60s Mopar. A Motorola 8-track player under the dash and a trunk-mounted luggage rack add the kind of quirks that make vintage cars fun to own.

The Mod Top story itself is fascinating. Chrysler sourced the floral vinyl from a company that made heavy-duty shower curtains. Three different flower patterns were available in 1969 and 1970, but the yellow-and-black scheme on this Barracuda was the most famous. Unfortunately, most buyers in the ’60s weren’t ready to rock a flower roof, and dealers often had to replace the tops with standard vinyl to sell the cars. That’s why surviving Mod Tops are exceptionally rare today and highly collectible among Mopar enthusiasts.

It may not outrun a Road Runner or outmuscle a Charger, but it will outshine nearly anything at a car show. In a world of high-powered, loud, and aggressive Mopars, the Mod Top Barracuda reminds us that sometimes standing out is the ultimate power move.