1970 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda Hardtop Coupe

For 1970, the E-body platform became longer, lower and wider and quickly distinguished themselves from their GM and Ford rivals. The redesign was done, in part, to make room under the bonnet for Chrysler's Raise Block engines, both the 440 cubic inch RB and the 426 cubic inch Hemi with its huge cross-flow cylinder heads.

In 1969 Plymouth divided the model into two categories, the base Barracuda and the performance-oriented 'Cuda. The name 'Cuda' had evolved from the limited production Hemi 'Cuda drag cars. The standard engine in the production Cuda was the 383 cubic-inch Command V8 which offered 335 horsepower. One of the most sought after upgrade was the 440 cubic-inch Six-Barrel engine which upped the power to 390. This option was available for a mere $250 which was significantly less than the $871 option for the Street Hemi option.

This example has the 440 Six-Barrel option and 2-Door Hardtop configurations. There is a four-speed manual gearbox and a Dana 4.1:1 rear axle. Options on this car include AM radio, shaker hood, tachometer, rear window defogger, dual exhausts with chrome tips, dual chrome outside mirrors, sill and deck moldings, 3-speed wipers, sport hood with pins, Rally dash and the Sport Group of 150mph speedometer and sport steering wheel.

The interior is original and the odometer reads just 35,000 miles since new. It has been well cared for over the years and treated to a complete rotisserie restoration near the close of the 1990s. In the trunk is the correct spare tire, jack, handle and trunk mat.

In 2007 this Road Runner Superbird was brought to the Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club in Carmel, California where it was auctioned at the Bonhams auction, An Important Sale of Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia. It was estimated to sell for $95,000 - $125,000 but failed to find a buyer willing to satisfy the cars reserve. The lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008