This 1970 ‘Cuda (only the hot models were called ‘Cuda!) will need a lot of work and assembly, but there are some really important parts there, and a specification that will make it worth the effort! It’s listed for sale here on eBay, where bidding is up to $21,600 as I write but has not yet met the reserve. The car is located in a storage unit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
For 1970, Plymouth offered a range of Barracudas from mild to wild. The ‘Cuda moniker was reserved for the wild cars! Factory equipped with heavy-duty suspension, front and rear anti-roll bars, and even factory hood pins, the ‘Cuda was something special. And this particular car really is 1 of 68 convertibles produced with the 383-cubic-inch V-8 and a four-speed manual transmission.
Only one problem: the car has been almost completely disassembled! As you can see from these pictures, the car is a mix of good and bad. Lots of boxes and loose parts are included, but it’s always difficult to tell whether everything is there. I’ve been there with several cars I’ve purchased, and I have yet to find one where all the parts were actually included!
Based on this picture, you would think that the car requires a lot of rust repair; this rear quarter panel certainly does. However, the pictures of the floor included here and here tell a different, much more optimistic story. We don’t see the original front fenders, so I’m guessing they were pretty rough. But the seller thought of that already and has purchased a solution.
And here you have it: two brand new front fenders! There are other new body panels and parts included as well; it would help someone debating about placing a bid if there were a complete list of the new parts, but the seller seems more interested in hyping up the rarity of the car. And don’t get me wrong, it is rare. In fact, the car was built with factory air conditioning! There weren’t a lot of 4-speed, V-8, 1970 ‘Cuda convertibles built (178 total), and I’ll bet fewer than half of those had AC! There can’t be many left, right? Cue Mark Worman from Graveyard Carz, “If you’re going to do it, do it right!” I’m guessing this car will soon be the subject of a concours-quality restoration.
You’ll have to use a little of your imagination to see yourself in a pristine, reupholstered driver’s seat with that pistol-grip shifter at hand, but squint a little, and I’ll bet you can do it. Look out over that freshly painted “Hemi Orange” hood, shift into first, floor it, and hang on! Do you want to be the next owner/driver?
Perfect for those who love jigsaw puzzles. There will ALWAYS be some part (clips/fasteners/screws/etc.) that will turn up missing. Seeing a project in this condition, and without everything being bagged and tagged ensures that this is going to be a labor of love, and a scavenger hunt. But for someone with “eyes on the prize” and deep pockets, this rare one will end up restored to its former glory! GLWTA!! :-)
Oh no….not Duffy’s………
Another pile of iron oxide with an outrageous price.
Bidding has ended w/ reserve not met at 37 000$ and 33 bids…
Was there really “gold in them thar hills” of boxes ‘n parts ‘n stuff??
Guess we won’t know…for now.
Hen’s teeth, no matter how rotted, never come cheap.
1 of 68 configuration. 1 of thousands that are rusty basket cases. I wish I had the skill to restore vehicles……. Or even buy everyone of them that I desire.
The seller should have gladly accepted the 37k
I cannot understand why $37 Grand would be more than enough. I never imagined that that a vehicle in that condition could be worth so much.
Not for the faint of heart.
………..I could cry !
The dealer has been relisted the car, the new auction is over $21,000 with 6+ days to go.
Steve R
https://ebay.io/m/wziuLb
Link to the live auction and is at 35k now. Crazy.
What is wrong with people? At 35k you can buy a good car.
There has got to be several Cudas for sale, for as much or maybe less than this car sold for,that won’t require the extensive amount of work, time and money, to restore.
Sold for $37,000 😳
Check again, it didn’t sell.
Steve R
Looks like time ran out without the reserve being met.
Nope. I don’t think so…there’s no “Buy It Now” option on this ‘Cuda re-listing. It’s still currently at 35 000$ w/ 10 bids.
Yes.. ridiculous.. 35k ante into a game that will cost way over 100k to win a pot of maybe 150 .. if the market holds up..
Ok, this one ain’t as bad as the Mustang, but it’s runnin’ a damn close second. The only saving grace with this pile of parts is that it would be worth some fairly serious foldin’ money if done correctly. There in lies the wild card. Mark Worman doesn’t ever reveal what one of his resurrection’s might cost, but an educated guess would be north of 200k to bring this back to life. That’s pushing the ceiling of what this little darlin’ would be worth, even with his level of craftmenship.
Reserve not met… somebody bid it to 37.000 … ended.. RNM… . Sir you are VERY lucky…. Take the 37k and buy yourself a working car…. there are alot of them out there…
June 1971… I bought a dealer demo 5k mile Barracuda Gran Coupe… red with white vinyl top… 318 / column auto / air. it was cool and I loved it. Drove it for real for 8 yrs and 120 k miles…
Even if this car was my old one, I wouldn’t go near it.
Bidding should have never ever gotten to that level. I don’t care if it is 1of 68. I wouldn’t think of spending anywhere close to where it’s at.
Ended at $37k with RNM. I guess no one wanted to be that ambitious.
My interest in mopars as always been very limited , cuda and challenger , this being very rare and convertible make it extremely desirable and someone will take the challenge , it will cost a lot , a lot unless the buyer is hands on , then it will only cost a lot !