Introduced in 1964, about two weeks before the Ford Mustang, the Plymouth Barracuda wasn’t much of a performance car in its first years on the market. But that changed toward the end of the decade thanks to the 383- and 440-cubic-inch (6.3- and 7.2-liter) big-block V8 engines.
Although it founds its way into a limited-edition Super Stock drag race, the B029, the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI did not become a regular option until the 1970 model year. That’s when Plymouth launched the third-generation car based on the then-new E-body platform (shared with the first-gen Dodge Challenger).
The Barracuda was the last Mopar to receive the iconic powerplant, which Chrysler discontinued in 1971 due to emission restrictions implemented by the US government. As a result, the Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda was produced for only two model years. Additionally, the engine wasn’t popular, so these HEMI-powered Barracudas are rare and desirable today.
In 1970, for instance, only 666 of the 48,867 examples sold in the United States were ordered with the 426-cubic-inch V8. That’s only 1.3% percent of the total production. The TorRed hardtop you see here is one of those cars.
One of 652 HEMI hardtops built that year (only 14 vehicles were convertibles), this Mopar is one of those rare classics that has quite a few feats to brag about. For starters, it got a full rotisserie restoration, so it looks spotless inside and out.
And unlike many restored vehicles from that era, this one retains its original 426 HEMI V8. The four-speed manual transmission that sends all 425 horsepower to the rear wheels is also a numbers-matching unit. And by the way, the transmission alone makes this ‘Cuda one of 284 hardtops fitted with this drivetrain combo.
According to the original build sheet it comes with, it’s also a highly optioned-up car. Highlights include the Super Track Pack rear axle with a 4.10 ratio, power brakes, and the Rallye instrument cluster. The TorRed paint and white interior are both factory-accurate.
The seller claims this HEMI ‘Cuda is also a low-mileage vehicle. The odometer shows 9,384 miles, and the description states that “documentation and visual evidence demonstrate with high probability this is an actual 9k mile car.” A full report and inspection by Mopar expert Dave Wise backs this claim. The ‘Cuda also comes with a report done by Galen Govier more than 20 years ago.
Not surprisingly, the Plymouth wears a very expensive sticker that says $499,995. 1970 HEMI ‘Cudas in similar condition have changed hands for up to $365,000 in recent years, so it’s a bit high. On the other hand, it’s the lowest-mileage example listed for sale in a very long time. Check it in the video below and tell how much you think it’s worth.
