No Expense Spared: 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440

In the automotive world, performance almost always comes at a financial cost. When the car in question is inherently desirable, and its presentation is seemingly flawless, the stakes are raised. Such is the case with this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda. The seller approached their build as a “no-expense-spared” exercise, meaning that no aspect of this classic escaped their attention. It isn’t original, but it should command respect wherever it goes. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting the ‘Cuda listed here on Craigslist in Delta, Colorado. I said that performance comes at a cost, and taking this beauty home will cost someone $114,000.

I’ve mentioned in previous articles how much I admire Chrysler’s E-Body range, and how I believe they are probably the most attractive cars to emerge during the 1970s. From its low stance to its bulging haunches, this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda reinforces that belief. The car has clocked fewer than 200 miles since the seller completed their build, so there has been no opportunity for it to develop cosmetic imperfections. The Fender Tag confirms that the first owner ordered it in Ivy Green Metallic, but much has changed since then. The seller stripped the car, replacing some substandard steel while retaining the original hood, roof, decklid, cowl, quarters, floors, and rear valance. It provided a perfect opportunity for a color change, and it seems a no-brainer that they selected ultra-desirable Plum Crazy to grace its panels. They added contrasting White “440” stripes, and almost all of the glass is new. The paint looks flawless, and the panels are arrow-straight with tight, consistent gaps. I can’t spot any trim issues with the Plymouth, which presents as new. The ‘Cuda looks stunning and is guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes.

The seller didn’t cut corners on the Plymouth’s interior, performing a complete retrim in White vinyl using a Legendary kit. Some original items, such as the wheel, were deemed fit for purpose after being cleaned. The dash features the Rally gauge cluster, and the faux woodgrain is flawless. The vinyl is as spotless as you would rightly expect, the plastic is in first-class condition, and the pistol-grip shifter looks purposeful as it emerges from the console. The seller comprehensively documented the build with invoices and photos, leaving no question marks hanging over their approach or the considerable financial outlay involved in producing this stunning classic.

We’ve reached the point in this Plymouth’s story where the seller has made an almost unforgivable mistake. One of the car’s greatest attributes is its mechanical specifications, but the seller supplies no engine bay images. The first owner teamed a 383ci V8 with a three-speed Torqueflite transmission, and with that motor producing a factory-quoted 335hp, the performance would have been quite impressive. However, this ‘Cuda is a case of more being better, because almost nothing beneath the surface is original. Its engine bay now houses a 440ci V8 that was professionally built with an eye on extracting as much power as possible. Bored 0.030″ over, it features a steel crank, a Lunati billet steel roller cam with roller rockers, “906” cylinder heads that are port-matched and polished, and an Edelbrock 750cfm carburetor atop the original intake. The motor hasn’t been on a dyno, but the seller estimates it now churns out over 500hp. The A833 four-speed manual transmission is rebuilt with all-new internals, feeding power to a nodular Eaton 3.55 Sure Grip rear end. Rounding out the mechanical components are rebuilt power steering and a front cross-drilled disc brake conversion. Add stainless fuel lines, a new fuel tank, and new wiring to the equation, and you begin to appreciate that this seller left nothing to chance. The ‘Cuda has only clocked 155 miles since the build ended, and potential buyers can consider it a turnkey proposition.

This 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda has the “wow” factor, but, at the asking price, it needs to. “Cheap” is not a word that could ever be used in its description, and the seller has left no stone unturned in their quest for perfection. The biggest challenge with cars like this is quoting a definitive potential value. If it were a faithfully-restored original example with a numbers-matching drivetrain, the seller’s price would be realistic. As a modified vehicle, it is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It would be possible to recreate this classic from scratch for the asking price, and the process would be deeply satisfying. However, that path would almost certainly involve a certain amount of pain and heartache. If you wish to avoid those problems, this finished product might be the ideal alternative.