When Plymouth released its Third Generation Barracuda, it was immediately apparent it had created a styling winner. Even in its most basic form, the car possessed muscular and attractive lines, which were only accentuated when the more sporting ‘Cuda became the focus of attention. Bigger wheels and stripes made a bold statement, and a V8 under the hood loudly proclaimed the ‘Cuda as a classic with serious performance credentials. This 1970 ‘Cuda 383 isn’t perfect or original, but its solid nature makes it an ideal candidate for restoration. It has no immediate needs, so its new owner could hit the road for some motoring pleasure while they devise their plan of attack. The ‘Cuda is listed here on eBay in Burns, Oregon. Spirited bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $27,000.

When Plymouth unveiled the ‘Cuda in 1970, it bore no resemblance to its predecessors. The styling was muscular and purposeful, and it continues to attract strong admiration from the latest generation of classic car enthusiasts. That trend seems to confirm that it will remain a staple of the scene for many years. The history of this car is unclear, although it did roll off the company’s Californian production line. It wears dazzling Top Banana paint, but the photo quality makes it difficult to determine its general condition. The seller indicates minor rust problems, which may motivate the next owner to address these and give the vehicle a bit of a birthday. The panels are straight, and the rust is confined to spots in the lower passenger side quarter panel, similar issues below the edge of the Black vinyl top, and rust in the trunk pan. We receive no photos indicating how severe this last problem is, but with replacement pans cheap and easy to find, the buyer might choose that option on their path to perfection. The glass is in good order for its age, and I can’t spot any problems with the Rallye wheels.

The VIN for this ‘Cuda indicates it rolled off the line with a 383ci V8 under the hood. There is still a 383 there today, although the seller is unclear whether it is numbers-matching. The existing TorqueFlite isn’t original, but the seller includes the factory component in the deal. This 383 should produce 335hp that feeds to the road via a Sure Grip rear end. That should allow it to storm the ¼ mile in 14.6 seconds before winding its way to 135mph. For potential buyers, there are a few small tasks to tackle before they hit the road to enjoy all this classic offers. The transmission cooler lines leak, and I would replace these to ensure ongoing reliability. The tires are old, and while they aren’t cracked or rotted, replacing them on safety grounds would be wise. Otherwise, this ‘Cuda has no obvious mechanical needs.

The ‘Cuda’s interior is a mixed bag of original parts and aftermarket additions. It rolled off the line with a column shifter, making the console and slapstick shifter later additions. The same applies to the Rally gauge cluster with the factory tachometer and the six-way driver’s seat track and adjuster. The interior isn’t perfect, but the seller includes a collection of parts that will help the buyer achieve that goal. These include a new rear seat kit, a carpet set, and a headliner. The front seats and door trims look excellent, so the only significant remaining cost will be to repair or replace the cracked dash pad. It is worth noting that the car’s factory air conditioning system is complete, although it doesn’t blow cold.

Plymouth sold 55,499 examples of its new Third Generation Barracuda in 1970. Of those, 18,880 buyers took the bold step to admit a ‘Cuda Hardtop into their life. Today, the ‘Cuda has become an icon of the muscle car scene, and rapidly rising values confirm that. This ‘Cuda isn’t perfect or 100% original, but it is a solid project car dripping with potential. I believe the bidding will easily pass $30,000 before the hammer falls, although I wouldn’t rule out a higher figure. Returned to a pristine state, it should command a value beyond $50,000 any day of the week. I’m not alone in my admiration for this classic, with twenty-five bids as proof positive. Are you tempted to submit bid twenty-six hoping you will eventually find it sitting in your workshop? If you do, I could hardly blame you.