In-Violet, or Plum Crazy as it was called on Dodge vehicles, was one of the High Impact paint colors that Plymouth offered on the 1970 ‘cuda. Plymouth gave its buyers over 20 colors to choose from on the ‘cuda in 1970, and if you really wanted to stand out, marking the FC7 box got you the metallic purple color seen here on this ‘cuda. There are some other goodies on this car as well, and if you are in the market for an E-body project this 1970 Plymouth ‘cuda might be a good car for you. Located in Tarpon Springs, Florida, it can be seen here at Top Classic Cars For Sale with an asking price of $36,500.
The seller does not give us a lot of information about this car, but does say that this ‘cuda has been in storage since the 1980s and that it is being sold for a friend. He also states that the car is a factory U-Code 440 with a 4-speed and a dana rear end. While that may not be a lot of details upfront, it is the right stuff to pique one’s interest.
Fortunately, the car still has its fender tag and the seller included a photo of it that does seem to back up their claims. The U08 Code does check out that this car left the factory with a 440 big block and a single 4 barrel carburetor. The D21 Code indicates a 4-speed, and A33 is correct for the 3.54 Trac Pak.
What we don’t know for sure is whether or not this car still has its numbers matching drivetrain. Judging from the photos, it doesn’t really look like anything has ever been apart, but that would be a good question to pose to the seller. The car definitely appears to have been in storage for a long time, and no word on whether or not it has ever been repainted. The body is starting to show some rust, but it seems to be fairly minor in comparison to many of the unrestored E-bodies we see here at Barn Finds.
Everything we can see on the inside appears to be original, and once this car is running again that pistol grip sure would make shifting through those 4 gears a lot of fun. The car has apparently been stored with the driver’s window down, and with the amount of residue inside it’s kind of hard to tell what the interior would look like cleaned up. I’ve certainly seen a whole lot worse. Also unknown is whether the seat covers were added early in the car’s life to protect the seats, or later to hide rips and tears.
Although this ‘cuda clearly needs a lot of work, it is mostly complete and not nearly as far gone as many of the E-bodies that are coming up for sale. It looks like a pretty good candidate for a restoration that would result in a really desirable ‘cuda. The car also comes with a clear title which is always a plus. What are your thoughts on this 1970 Plymouth ‘cuda? Do you think $36,500 is a reasonable price for what you are getting here?
I’m sorry, but for an asking price of $36K+ large, I would expect that an organization in the business of selling classic cars would provide more/clearer pictures than the Craigslist/cellphone quality shown here!
They have 12 cellphone-quality images on their site. Appears as if the paint is the only thing holding it all together. Rust never sleeps and it looks like it just chugged five cups of Hi-test coffee and got back to work on this potential coral reef.
Pedigree is everything. If this car has the matching big component items and given the factory ordered options the price seems fair even if it is a rust bucket. Find another 440 4speed cuda in plumb crazy matching numbers for less
I went to the website. Down below, it shows other similar vehicles (click on the picture attached – I circled it)
Here is the link to the same car! Seats are trashed, better resolution pictures, etc. Description is from an eBay ad. Date codes on pictures. Same phone number as current listing.
https://topclassiccarsforsale.com/plymouth/701890-1970-plymouth-cuda-440-4-speed-dana-track-pack-car-plum-crazy-rare-beast.html
Why would you let a car sit for years with the window open, even in a shed? lazy, stupid, unforgiveable.
I have found that humidity builds up in my car stored in my unheated garage, resulting in mold. An open window lets the air circulate some. Any dust that comes in vacuums up. Mice get in anyhow.
I was driving to the big city yesterday and was following a young kid and his girlfriend in a new Challenger. Year was unimportant because they look all the same. Bright red with the trunk and roof center wrapped in matt black. Black wheels and a broken hash marks on the side. His exhaust was new stainless that exited under the rear axle. What struck me funny was that behind it I faded back to the late 1970’s 80’s when the originals were still being beat on. Windows down on a super hot evening while I am rolling with my windows up with A/C comfort. Car looked great and it’s occupents looked to be having a great time. Car sounded great even with MY windows up.
I look at this and think what Ben Franklin once said that I can’t fully quote but the gist being keeping something too long it spoils. The case here. The selfish owner bought to hoard away until either his demise or nearly out of time to do any good only to try to reap the benefits now to pay doctor bills and not enjoy either. Most likely the family is dealing with the pile with a greedy flipper/classic car junk flipper.
No way would I want to pay $36,000 then hand over a credit card and spend MORE to a body shop/restoration shop that will hit it hard for six months then the bare pile of parts that goes to sleep in a corner waiting on parts blaming covid. Then I age more. Let alone to do it myself. Anything can happen in 5-10 years which without a TV crew can’t be done for less.
The color and options who cares? I would buy a new or new used and drive it anywhere right now and enjoy life. How would it cost more to a total restoration project that needs everything? I can get Purple paint and 700HP right now and row my own gears or let the computer do it.
1970 Commando 440 engines were painted orange from the factory, red flags abound. If anyone is interested in this take a very close look before handing over any cash.
While there’s some meat on this car’s bones., expecting to get 36k from a buyer and presenting the car dirty with the tires flat, says “lazy” or “the car ain’t worth $36k”. I’d pass.
At least it’s not “Hugger Orange”
@JB- Ya gotta, I say ya gotta pay attention boy! “Terrry” has expressed his appreciation of “Hugger Orange” on my occasions of these hallowed pages.
Agree with Terry; nice to see the seller taken the time to wash it and air the tires for maximum sale price!–PASS
1968 was the last year for turquoise painted big block 440s
But that one isn’t turquoise. That engine is Corporate Blue, so it’s 1970 or later, but not likely a 375 gross HP, 1970-spec engine like this car would have come with. This engine probably started its life under the hood of a Chrysler.
You’re right I took a better look at it it is blue and it’s probably a 383 if you look really close to the top of the head in the water pump and all 383s were blue except the hypo 383s.
I may be wrong, but a 440 Mag engine is possibly the rarest of HIPO Cuda’s.
The engine will have an identifying number on the block, as well as a ( kind of secret ) hidden serial number in the trunk rain gutter.
respectfully,
John
Hey Matt, I have a basement garage, but it is bone dry. Invest in a dehumidifier. It’s that simple or a cheap fan to keep air moving. It’s not rocket science. Also, do not park on concrete. A cheap rug you find in someone’s trash is under my Corvette. FREE, and keeps the frame dry. Yes, humidity kills cars. This heap of crap is from Florida. Rust is under the fender tag, so guess what? I lived in Florida in the 80s. Humid 365 days a year. Some of the world’s most rusted cars come from there. Rust free Florida car is total BS.
Top classic cars is one of the bs websites on the internet along with davids classiccars etc. I cant believe you dont know this.they copy a listing on ebay to get clicks to there site. Most of the listings are from years ago.i know because i get calls 5 years later.thats why i dont put out my phone number any more.
Why should we always beat down owners of these cars – not even considering health issues they may have had over time ?
At least this car has been inside and if you put your glasses on it’s easy to see the motor in this one has been massaged leaving it’s virginities’ well behind.
Good buy if you choose to look it over or have somebody do a check of it.
Mopar guys,
has to be afew pricing experts signed in.
Whats a 70 hemi cuda, auto, column shift, shaker car, mango worth.?
Never rusty or hit.
Service block when new, Dr owned over 40 years, in his heated garage, has not moved in 25 years.
Worth 220K. ?
John