1970 Plymouth Barracuda Cuda Hardtop Coupe

For 1970, Plymouth introduced its restyled Barracuda. It was six inches shorter, a few inches lower, and five inches wider. It had the same wheelbase length as its immediate predecessor, yet now it had the muscular proportions that appealed to a very wide audience of buyers. The E-body platform was shared with the Dodge Challenger and available in three styles, the base model Barracuda, the luxury oriented Grand Coupe, and the 'Cuda - the high performance version which was offered with five different engine options including the Hemi.

In 1970, Motor Trend tested a 426 Hemi 'Cuda and accelerated from zero to sixty in just 5.8 seconds with the quarter-mile achieved in 14 seconds at 102 mph.

This 1970 'Cuda is one of just 13 fitted with a highly desirable combination of options. It is one of 284 hardtops fitted with the four-speed transmission, and it has a 426 cid overhead-valve Hemi V-8. The engine has two 4-barrel Carter carburetors and produces 425 horsepower at 5000 RPM. Inside the car are Rallye instrument luster group that includes tachometer, electric clock, 150 mph speedometer, and wood-grain panel. In the front is a functional shaker hood with hood pins, power front disc brakes, dual-exhaust system with chrome tips and 15 x 7 Rally wheels. Other options include the Track Pak with a 3.54:1 differential ratio featuring a live 9.75-inch Dana 60 rear axle. There is a Hemi suspension and front sway bar.

This car has been restored since new and is a numbers-matching car by the Chrysler Registry. There is a Hurst pistol-grip shifter and a 4-speed transmission.

In 2009, this Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona where it was estimated to sell for $175,000 - $225,000. The lot was sold for the sum of $150,000 including buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009