When it comes to early third-generation Plymouth Barracudas, it’s the early HEMI ‘Cuda rigs that take the spotlight. And the reasons are pretty simple: the 426 HEMI is Chrysler’s most iconic engine and these cars are rare and highly desirable.

Plymouth sold nearly 49,000 Barracudas in the United States in 1970, but only 666 were ordered with the mighty HEMI. The following year, only 114 of 16,492 vehicles left the assembly line with the range-topping mill. That’s only 780 HEMI ‘Cudas out there, a number low enough to turn this Mopar into a highly expensive gem.

But while I’m also a big fan of HEMI-powered classics, I honestly believe that a third-gen Barracuda doesn’t need one to stand out. A finely restored example looks stunning no matter what’s under the hood. And the 1971 hardtop you see here is the perfect proof.

Looking just as good as the day it left the assembly line (that’s a whopping 53 years ago!), this Mopar rocks one of the most popular paint jobs of the early 1970s. I’m talking about B5 Blue, a metallic shade that found its way on more than 10% of Barracudas built in 1971. And the fact that it’s combined with huge white billboards and a white interior makes it all even better. I may be a fan of High-Impact hues like Limelight and Curious Yellow, but I couldn’t say no to a blue-over-white combo.

But even though it doesn’t have a HEMI, this Barracuda is still a rare gem. And that’s mainly because production dropped to only 16,492 units for the 1971 model year. That’s a relatively high number, but this Plymouth is a true-blue ‘Cuda, which makes it one of 5,675 ordered in this trim (including 292 convertibles).

That number goes down even more if we factor in the four-barrel 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8 engine under the hood. The second most popular unit that year, the 383 big-block found its way into only 2,153 units. Of these, 1,739 also had the ‘Cuda package. Finally, the automatic transmission narrows it down to 1,168 vehicles built just like this.

I could go on to say that perhaps fewer than 50 were ordered with this specific color combo, but I don’t have any official records to run by. Either way, there’s no denying that this ‘Cuda is a scarce classic in addition to being a breathtaking machine.

And the fact that it’s still roaming the streets makes that much more spectacular. Not many ‘Cudas can brag about that. Sure, hundreds of them are still hitting classic car shows, but most of these Mopars are still rotting away in junkyards and barns. Hit the play button below for a full walkaround of this B5 Blue beauty.