Had to see this Barracuda

Just returned from vacation up at "the camp." Since last summer, I have spotted this boat for sale in the classifieds. I didn't go check it out as I guess I made no special attempt. Spending too much time in my '68 Skylark!! Anyway, it was still up for a buyer this summer and decided this time I will go to see it.
   I knew what to expect driving south about twenty minutes from Ossipee Lake in NH. I first called the seller in the fall and I was told that it needs to be restored--$2000. Then I wanted to know the color, figuring that it probably was "maroon." Aren't all '67's? Seller said dark blue.
   As I headed south, I called the seller and was told how to get there and that the boat is right out in the front yard--have a look.
   Poor thing...such a beautiful boat just wasting away. Obviously, it had been repainted a dark blue and was faded in spots. Originally, I think that it was turquoise-an optional hull color for the SS-no sign of that now under all that darkness.    Windshield was in surprisingly great shape, most instruments on the dash intact-except 'OMC' tach. Wow, a barometer!! Steering wheel was big and in good shape, the "Ba" was missing/broken from the "Barracuda" chrome piece on the dash, and oddly, a throttle and 'R-N-F' dual levers to the very right-side -on the dash!! Seems rare to me! Has anyone seen one of these?    All the 'once redone a long time ago' upholstery was junk, Looked like alot of new flooring was in order as well. Didn't feel the need to climb on board to have a peak at the engine-though now, I wish I did. Looked too unsafe to get in. I wanted to look for an ID # on the portside engine stringer.
   So after about 5 minutes of looking at it and trying to imagine its former days when this boat throttled across some lake in all its glory, I poked and prodded the tiny cracks of paint/fiberglass below the waterline and ran my fingers along the transom deciding that although it's a great boat, it needs way too much. So, I'll let this one go and when the time is right, one day, I'll see that '69 yellowy-green Barracuda SS in original condition on a trailer in someone's yard with a 'for sale' sign on it...I hope no one else sees it first!!!