Originality is often the key to a high potential value with any classic, regardless of its inherent desirability. However, when the vehicle in question is a 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda loaded with factory options, the desirability ramps up a notch or two. That is the story of our feature car, a genuine American icon that has hibernated for decades. Its most pressing need is a new home with someone willing and able to return the Plymouth to its former glory. Therefore, the seller has listed the ‘Cuda here on eBay in Columbus, Ohio. Bidding sits below the reserve at $22,500, although there is plenty of time to check your bank balance if you find this beauty irresistible.

I have never hidden my admiration for the Third Generation Plymouth Barracuda, a car that I feel is one of the most attractive vehicles of its type to roll off an American production line. Its designers scored a home run with muscular and purposeful styling, even in its most mild-mannered form. The story of this 1970 ‘Cuda is partly known, with its second owner taking possession in the late 1970s or early 1980s. It has spent years in hibernation and has led what would be considered a literally colorful life. The existing paint cloaking its panels isn’t original, with the Fender Tag and original Broadcast Sheets verifying the first owner ordered the car in Lime Green with a Black vinyl top. It is unclear when the change occurred, but the amount of work required to return the car to a presentable state means another color change would add nothing to the workload. The panels have a few dings and dents, but there is also rust requiring attention. It has attacked the floors, battery tray, and at least one rear rail. I am no psychic, but I foresee many hours of grinding and welding in the new owner’s future. Many trim items require restoration or replacement, but the tinted glass appears okay.

The ‘Cuda’s interior retains its vital components but reveals where the original owner splashed cash on factory options. The car features a Gran Coupe interior with the seats trimmed in leather. Other factory components include a Rally gauge cluster, factory tachometer, a six-way driver’s seat, woodgrain wheel, floor console, overhead console with warning lights, and an AM radio with optional twin rear speakers. The radio is a distant memory, but the remaining items are intact. Surprisingly, with the extensive list focused on comfort and luxury, the original owner didn’t tick the box on the Order Form for factory air conditioning. The interior requires total restoration, although the dash, pad, and door trims appear serviceable. The process won’t be cheap but can be considered a worthwhile long-term investment that should present well for decades if treated respectfully.

The best news for potential buyers considering the long-term investment potential of this ‘Cuda reveals itself when we lift the hood. The car retains its numbers-matching 340ci V8, four-speed manual transmission, and 3.55 Sure Grip rear end. The original owner didn’t just wield their pen on interior options, ticking the boxes beside power steering, power front disc brakes, and the heavy-duty suspension package. The V8 would have produced 275hp and 340 ft/lbs of torque, making the Plymouth an accomplished straight-line performer that could comfortably cruise all day at freeway speed. The seller believes this gem has sat idle since the 1990s and doesn’t currently run. However, revival might be relatively straightforward, with the engine confirmed to be turning freely.

The 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda isn’t the rarest car on the planet, with 16,710 Hardtops rolling off the line in that model year. However, only 2,372 buyers selected the 340/4-speed drivetrain combination. We can only speculate how many still exist in numbers-matching form, but the seller confirms this is one of those cars. The enormous list of factory options confirmed by the original Broadcast Sheets further enhances its desirability. Restoration will be a significant undertaking, but recent sales results suggest that a value well above $50,000 awaits a new owner who achieves a high-end result. That leaves room to move on this build before the financial viability becomes questionable if the bidding remains around the current level. Therefore, monitoring this auction might be worthwhile.