Okay, I’m willing to take some flack from readers who contend this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda Tribute isn’t restored. It is fair to classify it as refurbished because the changes made by the seller mean it doesn’t meet the restored category in the purest sense of the word. What can’t be argued is that it is a stunning vehicle that is guaranteed to turn heads. It needs nothing, and the Hemi under the hood means it should possess the power to match its looks. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing the ‘Cuda here on Craigslist in Grants Pass, Oregon. The price of admission is a cool $150,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this fantastic classic.

I am not going to cover old ground in this article because regular readers will know how much I like the styling of Chrysler’s E-Body range that graced Dodge and Plymouth showrooms from 1970 until 1974. This ‘Cuda rolled off the line during the first production year, and the seller opened their wallet wide to create a stunning classic. They entrusted the body to Dave’s Body Works in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company has a well-earned reputation for quality, providing a lifetime warranty on its work. The shell was mounted on a rotisserie and stripped to ensure it was rust-free. Dave’s massaged the panels to a laser-straight state before applying Lemon Yellow paint with a Gold pearl. The contrasting Green stripes add the perfect finishing touches to an exterior that appears flawless. The paint holds a mirror shine, while the tight and consistent gaps reinforce that the seller completed this build with an eye for detail. Every piece of chrome and trim is immaculate, and the glass is crystal clear. The American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels won’t appeal to all, but they do a fantastic job filling the wheel wells to add a further touch of aggression.

It will be fascinating to read your feedback when I ask what you believe to be the greatest high-performance engine produced by an American manufacturer. It isn’t easy to compare motors from various eras, but a strong contender must be Chrysler’s 426ci Hemi. Plymouth bolted that V8 under the hood of the 1970 ‘Cuda, giving owners 425hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque to play with. The result was a genuinely fast car, capable of delivering a ¼-mile ET of 13.1 seconds in manual form. This ‘Cuda features a Hemi, but it isn’t original. The seller sourced a shiny new powerplant from Chrysler Performance, teaming it with a four-speed manual transmission and a Dana 60 rear end. They supply no details on the motor’s specifications, but it is fair to expect it should at least match the 1970 factory figures. It has been dyno-tested, with the seller holding all relevant documentation. Therefore, the answer might be a quick message away for those wishing to pursue this beast further.

The theme of spotless presentation continues inside this ‘Cuda. The interior is a faithful reproduction of the car’s factory specifications, with the tachometer in the right-hand pod of the gauge cluster the only apparent deviation. The dash retains the factory radio, and the seats are trimmed in Black vinyl. There is nothing to criticize about the condition or presentation, suggesting the car has seen little service since the build ended. One aspect that intrigues me is the pistol grip shifter. I’ve been fortunate enough to drive many classics, but none with this feature. The shifter looks purposeful and gives the impression it should assist with positive ratio selection. Once again, your feedback on the pistol grip will be fascinating.

There’s much to like about this 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Tribute and little to criticize. It ticks almost every box a performance enthusiast could want except for one: Originality. That raises the question of the seller’s price and whether a six-figure sum is justified. The answer would be a resounding yes if it were the real deal. However, it is a tribute wearing a non-original paint shade, and that muddies the water. Opinions will vary, and I’m unsure either way because modified classics are only worth what someone is willing to pay. It will only take one person to fall head-over-heels in love with this Plymouth, and it will find a new home. Do you think that will happen?