In Barracuda circles, the 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda has to be the Holy Grail. In the first year of the third and last generation of the pony car (1970-74), there were only 652 ‘Cuda’s that left the factory with a 426 cubic inch Hemi, including 14 that were convertibles. And of the 652, 368 had the TorqueFlite automatic transmission like the seller’s car. This one is an older restoration that is not perfect, but we’re told it will show well none-the-less. The seller finds himself moving and will not have room, so the car must go. It’s located in Hadley, Massachusetts and available here on eBay where the starting bid is $134,995.
The Barracuda beat the Ford Mustang to market by 17 days in 1964, but most folks don’t know that today. It would stay in production through the economic downtown of 1974. Initially the car was Valiant-based, sharing the Chrysler A-body. The car branched out on its own in 1970 with the new E-body, which the Dodge Challenger would also be based upon, but would have no sheet metal in common. Barracuda production would see a 50% bump in ’70 over ’69 but would be in decline after that as the pony car market had become fully saturated and related muscle car sales were going downhill.
This 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda, finished in Deep Burnt Orange Metallic, was treated to a restoration that began in the late 1990s and was completed in 2000. The car has seen only 2,000 miles since all these painstaking efforts were taken. The work has held up well over the years, but time and Mother Nature always find a way to creep in. Some touch up will be needed if you strive for a 5 Point car, such as some blistering in the low rear quarter panels. There is also an area on the driver’s side floor to take a look at.
The engine is 100% stock and is said to run very strong. The ‘Cuda was equipped with the A32 Super Performance Axle Package, aka 410 Dana rear end. This Plymouth came with an automatic transmission as did 56% of the Hemi ‘Cuda’s that were built that first year. The Hemi would disappear in the Barracuda and all Chrysler street cars after 1971. The owner says there was no sign of a build sheet when the restoration took place, so he’s provided several photos of numbers stamped on the car, including the cowl tag.
As the third owner of the car (possibly the fourth the way the eBay listing is worded), the seller has been in routine contact with the second owner who bought the car not long after it was originally delivered (perhaps it was more car than that the buyer was expecting). The seller will provide the second owner’s contact information to serious shoppers should they want further verification about the car. It’s described as a very solid turn-key automobile where everything works, down to the clock and pesky door buzzer.
The Barracuda comes with a few items different from the way it was ordered, such as the Rallye dash and rim blow horn, but the original parts were saved in case the next owner wants to swap them back. This is a sweet-looking car overall and the seller will provide additional photos and videos to realistic buyers as there is always a lot of looky-loo’s out there. They are a few ’70 ‘Cuda’s offered for sale online, but I didn’t see a single listing that was current for a Hemi ‘Cuda.
Well, I found 2 listings for ’70 hardtops within 30 seconds. An automatic for $260K and a 4 speed for $336K. I would say this one is competitive, but deduct $34,999 for automatic… j/k
Nice restoration, but I’m not impressed by the wheels or the tires.
Would love to go through the gears, but alas…
Buy this car as an investment, if you must, but it sure isn’t a decent car to drive for pleasure. I test drove a street hemi once back in the day (over 50 years ago, my but does time fly by) The salesman must have profiled me as a potential buyer of that new car (before it was not so politically correct) as I walked in one evening wearing my work attire of a three piece suit and a silk tie.) (The penny loafers should have gave him pause, but he must have been looking me in the eye, trying to size my wallet up) First impression, hard to start, finicky to warm up to operating temp. Laid rubber in the parking lot, but not on purpose. Once on the road, all that pull proved to be too much, hard to stay in place on the bench seat. Going around the corners was not fun, plus it idled rough at the street lights. Biggest let down? Every kid at a street light kept revving his engine wanting to drag. I just tested it out of curiosity. I left even more smug knowing that it was not something I needed. That 67 Belvedere II would have been better with a nice sedate 273.
William, currently owning a ’70 hemi Challenger, I agree with you on each and every point you made. But, and this is a big but, it’s a freakin’ HEMI!
Hard to start? Two pumps on the gas pedal to set the choke and prime the accelerator pumps. Finicky to warm up…same as a 440, there’s a lot of iron and steel to warm up.
Don’t know how the carbs are set up on a Hemi, but on the 440-6 the center carb does the work until farther down the pedal travel.
Big valve motors tend to have idle and drivability issues. They’re really only happy at full tilt boogie.
Unlike the current Hemi, the 426 never had a single carb equivalent nor a truck version. It was meant for one thing only, and that wasn’t driving to work every day.
Agreed. I’ll take a 440 any day.
You couldn’t get a 273 or a Belvidere in 1970. You could get a 318 2bbl but that would be probably be too much power for you. The 225 /6 would have solved most of your complaints and you would still have a great car today. No disrespect intended William, just odd to hear complaints 50 years later.
I said it was a 1967. Damn, seems like yesterday. BTW, 273 was a fine little engine, but the 318 made more sense I guess. Like the difference between a 198 and 225, a little bigger is always better (just ask my wife)
Legendary HemiCuda, rare then and now.
What’s to say about it other than,…..nice ride!
There is nothing to say about this car but this is the BOMB
No rear sway bar or staggered rear shocks? A 6 cyl ’68-69 camaro has the latter. Updated exhaust with crossover & no factory crimped pipes.
Not sure if any front suspension part should be grey/silver in color.
Beautiful car, nonetheless.
I wonder if a dynacorn cuda is planned.
Looks to be of excellent value for today’s prices. Not having the Broadcast Sheet is a bummer though. Fender Tag, Body stampings, numbers on the motor and transmission, VIN metal plate, VIN door sticker, all appear to check out. A little curious to some “(some blistering starting) in low quarters and a few other imperfections that will need some attention if you choose..” and “One area of the driver side floor (see photo) that will need some attention for the original look.” IMO that is not bad considering his asking price. I like that he has the 2nd owners phone number too. It should sell IMO.
I went to HS in 78-81 and we used to walk over to Kmart on our lunch. For all 4 yrs there was one parked in back of the store with a flat tire. We never could find the owner, and believe me we tried
wish i had a time machine – i would go back to 1970 and buy one off the showroom floor, and store it in my living room for 50 years
Look at the sellers other item
Which other item is that?
IF Rust is bubbling through the quarters.. it wasnt done properly if only driven 2000 miles… probably lots of bondo in there… RUN
For any potential buyers out there, this car has issues. To name a few, engine stamp is not factory, and fender tag is a repro. Without the broadcast sheet, aside from the R in the VIN there is nothing to back up this car up.
https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/2886956/gonew/1/70-hemi-cuda-on-ebay.html#UNREAD
>> run!! <<