1970 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda Hardtop Coupe

This vehicle is known as 'Job 159,' the second 1970 Hemi 'Cuda model built on the first day of production. This special 'Cuda was one of the so-called 'pilot cars' that were hand-built before production fully commenced at Hamtramck, and the car illustrated in the sales brochure for the new 'E-body' 'Cuda and in early advertisements. It starred in at least two television commercials and was used in a dealer promotional film used to sell salesmen and buyers alike on the fully redesigned model's new features.

Standard Equipment and Accessories
This Plymouth 'Cuda left the factory wearing a Rallye Red exterior with a black vinyl roof and black leather front bucket seats and console. Along with the Hemi V8 engine, it came equipped with an automatic transmission, 'Shaker' hood, Enduro bumpers, power steering, dual sport mirrors, front fog lights, factory pin-lock hood, fiber optic front turn signal marker lights, 'hockey stick' trim stripe, AM radio, clock, tachometer, and factory chrome exhaust tips.

Unique Features
As an early, hand-built 'pilot car,' this 'Cuda came with several unique features and unusual details. The hood Shaker and its air inlet grilles are painted in matching color, and a tail panel is finished in Argent Silver - like the Barracuda Grand Coupe, rather than the black used on later production cars. The 'hickey stick' body stripe is slightly longer than other 'Cudas, another unique feature that distinguishes it from regular production examples.

This 'Cuda has received some restoration work, but much of the bodywork appears to be original. The undercarriage is finished in grey primer with the expected areas of overspray, and the engine block is an early 'warranty block' replacement. Some of the interior upholstery appears to still be original, and the odometer displays 72,501 miles.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023