Some classics achieve legendary status courtesy of exceptional performance, while others do so by hitting the market as the right car at the right time. There are also those where the appearance almost transcends simple automotive styling, bordering on a work of art. This 1970 Plymouth Barracuda probably fits into all of those categories and is a car that couldn’t help but attract attention wherever it goes. Its presentation is excellent, and it is a turnkey classic awaiting the attention of a lucky new owner. The Convertible is listed here on eBay in San Jose, California. Bidding has raced past the reserve to $53,700.
The seller states that this Barracuda’s odometer shows 40,000 miles, although they admit there is no way to verify whether the reading is genuine. Its history appears unclear, but there’s no doubting how nicely it presents. Its gleaming Rally Red paint contrasts a White power top and matching stripes. The paint reflects like a mirror, with any potential defects too minor to show in the supplied photos. I can’t spot any significant dings or dents, and there is no evidence of rust. The underside shots reveal floors and rails that look factory-fresh, suggesting this vehicle may have recently been restored. It isn’t perfect because the top is heavily wrinkled. That may indicate it has been retracted for an extended period, and only time will tell whether being raised will allow the creases to disappear. The chrome and glass are in good order, while the chunky 15″ Rally wheels add a sense of purpose.
This drop-top is about more than good looks because lifting the hood reveals a 383ci V8. The seller confirms the motor isn’t original, and whether a 383 occupied the engine bay when it rolled off the line is unclear. However, that may not worry potential buyers more concerned about landing themselves a spotless driver than a numbers-matching classic. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The engine’s specifications are as much of a mystery as the car’s history. Still, the drivetrain combination means anyone wearing a wig should ensure it is firmly attached if the driver floors the gas! The Barracuda is a turnkey proposition ready to provide immediate enjoyment to the winning bidder.
The interior presentation heightens my belief that this Barracuda might have been recently restored. The White vinyl upholstered surfaces look perfect. There are no signs of wear, abuse, or staining. The contrasting Black trim and carpet tell a similar story, and there is no evidence of plastic that could be succumbing to age. Slipping aboard this classic would feel luxurious because the interior features air conditioning, bucket seats, a console, a rimblow wheel, and an aftermarket Sony radio/CD player. Parking this Convertible at a Cars & Coffee with the top down is guaranteed to attract attention.
It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether any classic is desirable or hits the right note with potential buyers, but this 1970 Barracuda Convertible removes all doubts. It has reached the current price courtesy of intense bidding action. Eleven people have thrown their hats into the ring by submitting thirty-five bids. It achieved that feat in two days, confirming that enthusiasts are determined to take this one home. With the reserve exceeded, that will happen in less than a week. Are you tempted to make that new home yours?
No, it doesn’t have a pistol grip, but damn, this one is still a beauty.
More Mopars, on Mopar week 🙌🏁
What the heck ! It’s the 2nd mopar in 2 days that has a sporting big block & A/C ! Maybe I need to whine a little more because 2 beautiful mopar muscle cars with A/C has me wanting what was unobtainuim! Keep up the great work barn finds!
Stop the press..
My body can’t restock the drooling 🤤
Please go back to field car mopars that requires a chain saw to get it loaded asking outrageous pricing.
A very nice drop top 🥹
We had a 1970 Challenger ragtop with a 383 magnum. I don’t recall any body flex issues. Maybe we had a better setup underneath.
DonC, I have to compliment you on a couple points.
Body Flex, and I still cannot find it anywhere on any of our 45 Mopars in their original sheetmetal and no rust issues, ever, including our Convertibles.
Hemi, or 318 Engines.
The other compliment, yes, it’s a 383 Engine.
Not 383 big block motor.
Saying the year and cubic inches is the Only info needed when you reference an Engine in the Mopar Family.
Those terms, big block say, hey if you have a big block 440, then a 440 small block is also available.
All that’s needed is the Cubic Inch, which is said anyway, and the Engines year.
Example, 383 had two different deck heights. 318 had two different Engines.
Again, I compliment you DonC.
They’re all made the same underneath whether slant 6 or big block; basically a Hemi unibody with the top cut off.
My 440 70 Challenger convertible flexed like crazy going over railroad tracks and such; serious cowl shake. Nothing ever broke or cracked or anything like that though, and the doors always opened and closed like they should. Frankly I’m not sure why people always act like it’s a thing.
I DID see the windshield pop out of a Vega once at a drag strip. That was some pretty serious flexing.
A beautiful, and for Mopar rather reasonable unit. A convertible, the right color, optioned decent, very nice driveline, to me. Screw that new pickup truck or that used Tesla 3. Put a bandaid on that 15 year old Honda Accord and ride this on good days. God knows you fix this and maintain it for nothing compared to these new electronic nightmares. Just think down the road that new whatever has a 99% chance of being a row warmer at the local u-pull-it. This car will never, even if you use it frequently and the look becomes a bit tattered. We have about two decades to enjoy this stuff before government motors makes them obsolete to the regular folk and only the Uber wealthy can own and drive them.
I wonder if I died and went to Haven would a car like this be up there and just given to you. I guess that’s the only way I could get one because I can’t afford a nice one here on earth. Mopar Haven!
Heaven
Look around now at all the ugly insanely expensive 4 door “modern” colorless appliances on the road. I think we are in hell right now!
As someone on Barn Finds recently stated, “white/grey blobs that do NOTHING well except meet Federal mandates.” I so agree!
The original White interior would have included white door panels front and rear…..Damn nice looking regardless
You know Ted, I was going to say something cuz our 70 Challenger had a white interior and white ragtop, and white door panels including the rear area. I thought maybe that’s a diff between Challenger and Cuda….but….
Thanks Eric some times I get a little excited and misspell and omit words.l’ll try and communicate better. Thanks
There’s a lot about this car that needs some serious investigation. It’s almost certainly not what it appears to be (although the seller was very careful not to state that it’s what it appears to be, either).
First of all, it’s almost certainly not a ‘Cuda 383, although it’s been dressed out to look as if it’s a ‘Cuda. The fog lights, “Raisin Bran” hood, and satin black paint and chrome surround moldings on the taillamp panel have most likely been added. Were the rest of the taillamp panel original to this car, no restorer would remove the correct “Cuda” nameplate and substitute the incorrect “Barracuda” nameplate.
He never states that the “replacement” 383 is a 335 HP Super Commando 383 that would have come in a real ‘Cuda 383. In fact, he never says whether or not it’s a 383 4 barrel at all. He did, however, treat whatever that 383 is to a Hemi orange “rattle can rebuild” to imply that it’s the right engine for a ‘Cuda 383, regardless of its actual pedigree.
The front grille being completely blacked out but for the red bars isn’t right for any 1970 Plymouth E-body, regardless of model. The base models, Gran Coupes, and ‘Cudas all had different grille treatments, and none of them were entirely blacked out.
The 15″ rallye wheels aren’t original to this car, either. A and E-body cars got 14″ rallye wheels when the rallye wheel option was specified, with the exception of the ‘Cuda AAR and Challenger T/A models.
This car likely not having started life as a ‘Cuda makes the mistake with the black door panels all the more unforgiveable. When they sought out the door panels with the ‘Cuda emblems on them, getting the correct white panels should have been a no-brainer. Even if the restorer didn’t want to spring for new matching rear seat panels, one can each of adhesion promoter and white plastic trim paint would have made them correct, as well.
Yeah, I doubt those are oem rally wheels at all. Factory 15s were only 7″ wide. The ones on the back look closer to 10s.
He’s not claiming it’s a numbers ‘Cuda or anything. It’s likely a Barracuda that someone over the years fixed up with ‘Cuda parts. Heck, back in the 70s my hometown had twice as many first gen Z/28s running around as GM ever made.
Yeah and you don’t wanna breathe in ALL of that lovely white smoke, a whiff is very pleasant, but I can’t imagine a proper smoke show in this little lovely with the top down… but all that aside, this is one sweet little ruby for some fortunate person’s jewel box! I keep drooling in my coffee, dang it!
SOLD for $61,100.
I’m new to this site. So did it sell? Great. I wish I could of picked it up. Back in the day, we’d order these cars plain and build our own. The best of the best cost too much. I’ll keep looking. Sold my 1970 FC7 convertible in 1996. Still looking for a replacement.