The Plymouth Barracuda wore new styling for 1970 and had a new platform to boot, the E-body, which the new Dodge Challenger also used. This change enabled the Barracuda to shed the roots it had from the beginning with the compact Valiant. While Plain Jane versions were popular, you could also get one tricked out with all sorts of muscle, like the seller’s ‘Cuda with a 440 engine, triple carburetors, and 4-speed manual. Located in Butler, Pennsylvania, the bidding on this car has reached $60,600 here on eBay, but the reserve is likely quite a bit higher.
Showroom traffic increased with the new Barracuda for 1970 and sales jumped by half over the 1969 models. This would be the best year ever for the car as the muscle car movement was beginning to trickle down and so many of these cars reached young people with a desire to go fast. Many blame the insurance companies for pricing accident coverage out of sight once almost anything with a V8 appeared on an application. 48,867 Barracudas were delivered for 1970, with just 902 of them being like the seller’s car: 440 cubic inch big-block, 3×2 carbs, and 4-speed tranny. Add to that the Super Track Pack option and the numbers likely dwindled more. The latter, option code A34, added 4.10 gears and front disk brakes.
The seller says this is the correct engine for the car, i.e., it agrees with the VIN, but doesn’t say its numbers-matching as he/she does with the transmission. The car is listed in the Chrysler Registry and the seller can provide paperwork to verify that. It’s a well-optioned machine, including a pistol-grip shifter, elastomeric front bumper, power brakes and steering, HEMI suspension, dual exhaust, and a shaker hood. He doesn’t say how well the car does its job, but surely it must be “gone in 60 seconds.”
When this car was ordered, the original buyer didn’t select one of those fancy Hi-Impact Chrysler colors, like Plum Crazy or Hemi Orange, but rather Alpine White with a black vinyl top and interior. His wording suggests the car has been repainted and it looks good on both the outside, inside, and underneath. The only things that were replaced in the passenger compartment were the carpeting and headliner.
Resale value on these pony/muscle cars is through the roof. Six figures are not unheard for a car in this condition that’s been held to stock. We’re guessing this ‘Cuda wears an older restoration, and the seller doesn’t include the odometer reading to gauge the amount of use. What do you think this Plymouth is worth?
When a seller says “correct” engine but takes it a step further by specifically stating the transmission is matching numbers, he’s all but saying the original engine is gone. He should have shelled out the money for a Dana 60, even if it’s an aftermarket unit, that’s what the car should have and would have paid for itself at the time of sale.
It desirable and looks great, it will be interesting to see what the market says it’s worth.
Steve R
Its interesting that back in the day white was not a popular color. Now white is everywhere, along with silver (grey) and black. But it looks pretty good on this car with the vinyl roof and stripe.
The 6 pack shove in the back when the additional carbs kicked in was always a lot of fun. Much more noticeable that a 4 barrel at the time, although I gather that modern tune and tests show the 4 barrel actually could make more power.
A nice car in a rare color with a pistol grip 4 speed. Still no pic of the fender tag, reupholstered seats from a 72-74 E-body and an incorrect chromed air cleaner lid makes me wonder if the seller couldn’t do a little more to present this one better.
Sweet!! Mileage 999999?
I suspect that is due to the current mileage is unknown. Could be the speedometer isn’t or wasn’t working at one time. Just a guess.
Again with the numbers game. Is this a nice clean car with a lot of cool high performance bits and pieces ? YES . That’s what counts, buy it,drive it and enjoy it. It’s entirely possible you may not ever live to see a huge profit,so just be happy to have fun while you can.
I owed a 70 AAA Cuda you can easily reach up under the dash and pull the speed cable out.
I thought the A34 option would be a Dana rear. The photo shows a corporate 8 3/4.
Yes A34 is a Super Trac Pack with 4.10 gears that’s a Dana 60. Somebody removed the Dana and put in 8 3/4 what a shame!🤦
Thanks, Stephen. My apologies to Steve R. for not recognizing his reference to the Dana prior to my comment. This car probably was once in much worse shape than it appears today. Although not 100% original, I’d consider it a survivor of sorts simply because of its existence. Lots of possibilities in this one. Drive and enjoy (thrash) as is or throw more money at it to make it closer to original. Either way, a car to enjoy.
Six barrels of fury and clean as a whistle, whats not to like? These haven’t been cheap for a while now.
Investment grade mopar, I like it,but surely can’t afford it, man could I feel 20 again in this!
Man, that fender gap is huge
Well JB that may be so,but we all know an “investor”,or flipper will probably buy this,and re-sell at a profit later.
That is not an elastomeric front bumper on the car. It have come with one originally, this is not it. It is a painted steel bumper made to look like a painted elastomeric. So you will have to spend some nickels sourcing the correct 70 from bumper. Might as well get a 70 steering column and console while your at it too.
Car does look pretty nice with this color combo, you’ll just need to spend a bit on getting all the right parts for the car.
Nice 440-6/pistol grip car in a rare color combo. Unfortunately it’s missing the original Dana rear, the original 70-71 seats (replaced by 72-74 versions) and a few other obvious parts. Also, it would have been helpful to have a pic of the fender tag to verify the options. Without all this, it will take lots of work and $ to get to the level it deserves.