Ep 10. The Barracuda

Fred Sanford and his son Lamont run a junkyard in Watts, Los Angeles. While Fred has a knack for getting into trouble, Lamont is always trying to keep him out of it. In the tenth episode of the first season, titled "The Barracuda," Fred buys a vintage sports car, hoping to attract a younger crowd to the junkyard.

Upon discovering the car, which is a 1957 Barracuda, Lamont is thrilled. He thinks it will be a great addition to the business and help them to attract more customers. However, Fred has other ideas. He plans to fix up the car and sell it for a huge profit.

After Fred has put a lot of work into fixing up the car, he takes it for a test drive. However, the car is a lemon and breaks down on him. He pushes the car back to the junkyard and, frustrated and broke, he decides to sell the car to a friend named Gino. Gino is a shady character who is always looking for a way to make a quick buck. He agrees to buy the car, but only if Fred can get it running again.

Fred and Lamont spend the rest of the day trying to fix the car, but they can't seem to get it working. Gino comes to pick up the car, but he is furious when he realizes that it is still broken. He threatens to take legal action against Fred, who is desperate to avoid a lawsuit. Lamont tries to reason with Gino, but it only makes things worse.

Meanwhile, Fred is trying to get his hands on another car to sell to Gino. He hears about a Cadillac that is for sale and goes to check it out. The owner of the Cadillac is a wealthy businessman who is very proud of his car. He is insulted when Fred tries to lowball him on the price, and he orders him to leave.

Back at the junkyard, Lamont is trying to calm down Gino. He offers to work on the Barracuda himself, in hopes of fixing it and avoiding legal trouble. As he is working on the car, he discovers that the problem is a simple one. He fixes it and the car starts right up. Gino is impressed and decides to buy the car after all.

Fred is relieved that he has sold the Barracuda, but he is also frustrated that Lamont was able to fix it so easily. He worries that Lamont might be becoming too good at fixing cars and that he might not need Fred anymore.

"The Barracuda" is an entertaining episode that showcases the great chemistry between the show's two lead actors, Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson. It also highlights the show's unique blend of humor, drama, and social commentary. Through its portrayal of the struggles of a hardworking, working-class African American family, Sanford and Son offers a nuanced perspective on race, class, and the American dream. Whether you are a fan of classic television or just looking for a good laugh, "The Barracuda" is an episode you won't want to miss.