a strong grid theme. A center console was optional for the first time. Although the first Barracudas were heavily based on the contemporary Valiants, Plymouth wanted them perceived as distinct models. Consequently, the "Valiant" chrome script that appeared on the model's trunk lid was phased out at the end of the 1965 model year in the U.S. market, and the large stylized "V" trim above the deck lid was changed to a unique Barracuda fish logo for 1966, though in markets such as Canada and South Africa, where Valiant was a marque in its own right, the car remained badged as Valiant Barracuda until the A-body Barracuda was discontinued. Second generation (1967–1969) 1967 The second-generation Barracuda was redesigned with model-specific sheet metal, yet still shared many components with the Valiant. It rode on a wheelbase A-body and available as a convertible and a notchback hardtop coupe versions in addition to the fastback design. The new Barracuda was chiefly the work of John E. Herlitz and John Samsen, with Coke-bottle side contours and heavily revised front and rear ends. Design changes included wider wheel openings, curved side glass, and S-curved roof pillars on the hardtop. The roofline on the fastback coupe was more streamlined, more steeply raked, and with a much smaller flush rear window in place of the distinctive massive wraparound in the original model. Also, the overall use of chrome trim was more restrained. During this time the first U.S. Federal auto safety standards were phased in, and Chrysler's response a requirement for side-marker lights distinguishes each model year of the second-generation Barracuda: 1967: no sidemarker lamps or reflectors, and backup lights on the rear valance by the license plate. 1968: round side marker lamps without reflectors, mostly white tail lamps with backup lights in the tail lamp housing. 1969: little tweak on the front grille, rectangular side marker reflectors without lamps, and the backup lamps were moved back to the rear valance by the license plate. As the pony-car class became established and competition increased, Plymouth began to revise the Barracuda's engine options. In 1967, while the slant-6 was still the base engine, the V8 options ranged from the two- and four-barrel versions of the to a seldom-ordered "B" big-block, rated at , the latter available only with the Formula S package. 1968 In 1968, the 273 was replaced by the LA engine as the smallest V8 available,