Whenever a Mopar comes with two fender tags, it’s a positive indication that this is a heavily optioned example, and this 1970 Plymouth Cuda here on eBay came from the factory with all sorts of goodies. However, that was a long time ago, and this one’s gonna need some attention before it’s ready to be back on the road. I’d like to see this car returned to factory specs, but the E-Body here also seems ripe for a Restomod, so it’ll be up to the next owner to make the decisions of how to build this cool Cuda to suit their driving needs. This one’s currently located in Celeste, Texas, with the current bid of $6,700 not high enough yet for a sale, as that amount falls short of the reserve.
One of the things we learn from the codes is that this Cuda was manufactured in Los Angeles, and it came with emissions control (code N95), not necessarily one of the more desirable pieces of equipment. However, the hood pins, fender-mounted turn signals, dual racing mirrors, and additional moldings are always fun to find, with the luggage rack also placed on the trunk at the factory. Rallye Red was the original exterior color with a black vinyl top, and although this one will require some bodywork and a few rust repairs, the exterior seems to be at a fairly decent starting point.
A 383 was the size of the original engine here, and while that’s what is still under the hood, it is not the factory component, nor is the automatic transmission. The engine is said to turn over freely, with the seller believing it would run with some wiring work, so making those repairs is probably an option worth considering. However, since you won’t be losing sleep at night worrying about keeping the drivetrain numbers-matching, installing a 440 or even a Hemi in the bay is another possibility.
The dash is crinkled from years of exposure to the sun, and the buckets are certainly going to need fresh upholstery. The steering wheel is in surprisingly nice shape, but the missing carpet reveals some holes in the floor, so that section will need to be addressed. Some better news is that the seller states the underside as being structurally sound, so hopefully, the rails are strong enough to retain without any further attention. This one would look great going back to Rallye Red, but black is always a fun choice as well, or another color as long as the sheet metal gets the love it deserves first. How would you move forward in restoring this 1970 Plymouth Cuda?
Optional luggage 🧳 rack looks mint. 🙌
He’s the Mark Walaburg of Texas….the rack is the only real option it has – the rubber bumpers are missing – try and find a pair of those – the other options listed like buckets ralley dash etc is part of the Cuda package….
Listed on the sellers website for $28,500.
Steve R
There is a lift in the background of the first picture in this ad, why are there no undercarriage pictures from that vantage point of this car in either the eBay ad or on the dealers website? These are professionals, it’s hard to believe that was an accidental omission.
Steve R
I agree with Steve R more under carriage pictures. There are a lot of pictures in the add! Price is too high for the work needed here.
I would definitely go back to Rally Red. Restomod vs stock? It depends how much you want to drive it.The Brothers car show is coming up in 2 weeks. Its 3 hours away at todays highway speeds. Yet I wont take my 340 Duster with 3:91’s there as it would take 4 hours of 3200 RPM each way. I might trailer it. But if I had a overdrive tranny I would drive it and would still be able to go to the dragstrip and turn 13’s.
So if it had the coin, and started out with a car like this I WOULD restomod it. I don’t know if I would go so far as a Gen3 Hemi as the carbed and cammed roughness and sound is what makes a 70’s hotrods soul. Suspension, brakes, transmission for sure.
I think this is a nuts price for a rusty shell, but in todays world I guess this is normal?
$28,500????? Unless someone has a sentimental attachment to the car, a restoration on this car, would be cost prohibitive. You’d need money than brains, to get this car right.
Hi Ralph. May not be super loaded but has some nice rare options.
That is not the standard dash if I understand you correctly. It has the Rallye gauge package, not the standard gauges. The “Tuff Wheel” steering wheel was available on different Mopars from 1970-1976 if I read right. There is no fender tag code for the Tuff Wheel in 1970 but there is for 1971 (S84) so hard to tell if the Tuff wheel was added by the owner later or was a dealer installed option and only the sales slip when bought new might have that detail. The blue Tuff Wheel I have for my Challenger is from a mid 70’s Cordoba. They were on a number of different models but the one on this Cuda is a Mopar offering.
For sure I agree with you with the price! In 1985 a high school friend bought a ‘Cuda for like $800! He was the only Mopar owner that I could see, most had Fords and GM offerings. Prices are stupid crazy for nice muscle cars in general! I want the old days back!
Traded a Ford Fiesta for a Gran Coupe back in the ’80’s. Got the better end of that deal, but I wish I knew then what I know now!