There was a time not too many years ago when racing machinery typically faced a bleak future. Owners would often dismantle them for any parts that could be used or sold, and the remains would find their way to the scrapyard. Thankfully, these machines now command the recognition they deserve, and many are preserved in an “as-raced” state or restored to their former glory. This 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda falls into the second category and might be the most famous ‘Cuda ever built. Its presentation is almost flawless, needing nothing but a new home.
The name Dean Nicopolis is legendary in drag racing circles. He was part of a larger team of Chrysler factory engineers that formed the factory RAMCHARGERS team, which successfully participated in Super Stock and Funny Car racing from 1959. This 1970 ‘Cuda raced in Super Stock from 1974 until 1986 and is the only RAMCHARGERS car known to exist. It started life as a roadgoing Hemi ‘Cuda before Nicopolis transformed it into the vehicle you see here. He debuted the ‘Cuda at the 1975 NHRA Gatornationals, and the Plymouth created an instant sensation. The existing Super Stock National Record stood at 10.85 seconds at 127.8mph. By the end of that day, this car held a new record of 10.63 seconds and 130.81mph. However, there was still potential hidden in this beast, and it would eventually produce consistent sub-10-second passes. The ‘Cuda remained active until 1986, and Nicopolis performed a faithful restoration in 1995. It retains its beautiful White paint with the distinctive Gold and Candy Apple Red graphics and stripes. The panels are laser-straight, and the rust-free status is unsurprising. What might shock a few people is that the conversion from road car to racing legend was relatively straightforward. The vehicle was never tubbed or cut, and it remains as unmolested today as when it was terrorizing the competition at drag strips across the country.
This Plymouth started life as a genuine Hemi ‘Cuda, but it has earned the title of “THE Hemi ‘Cuda,” as many believe it is the ultimate version of the badge. The engine bay houses a 426ci Hemi that would have produced 425hp and 490 ft/lbs of torque when it prowled the streets. That made it a muscle car that commanded respect, but that rises to a higher plain when we examine this car’s specifications. Dean Nicopolis and the RAMCHARGERS crew applied plenty of race engineering to the powerplant, and my research confirms it produced 691hp on the dyno. The power feeds to a Dana 60 rear end via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission with a B&M Racing Converter. Power assistance for the steering and brakes were deemed unnecessary luxuries that sapped valuable engine power, so this ‘Cuda doesn’t feature either. Part of the 1995 restoration included an engine rebuild performed by Dean Nicopolis. The seller supplies no information about how this beast runs or drives, but the spotless presentation suggests the news should be positive.
The surprise with this ‘Cuda is its interior. Apart from extra gauges, a switch box, and the sturdy roll cage, it is amazingly stock and unmodified. Its condition is also exceptional. The car has seen little active service since its restoration. Therefore, there is no wear on the seats or the carpet, and the remaining trim is in first-class condition. The dash and pad are spotless, and the overall presentation befits a show car. However, it is indicative of the approach The RAMCHARGERS took with every build as factory representatives.
Dean Nicopolis was a racing legend, and the chances of a vehicle manufacturer actively supporting a racing team like The RAMCHARGERS in the current automotive landscape are virtually nil. Sadly, he succumbed to a battle with cancer in November 2009. The racing world lost a true legend, and preserving this classic seems like the most fitting tribute to his drive and passion. One challenge facing enthusiasts considering a classic purchase is whether the object of their desire will represent a sound investment. This 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda makes that a tough call if taken purely at face value. The seller listed it here on eBay in Torrance, California, setting a BIN of $225,000 with the option to make an offer. Putting that figure into perspective, I located a previous successful sale for the same car at $330,000. That suggests it isn’t a great investment, but that figure should not be taken in isolation. It pre-dates the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and the post-Covid market slump. With the values of many classics slowly heading back in the right direction, now might be the ideal time to pounce. After all, cars of this caliber with such an illustrious racing career don’t hit the market every day. If you had the cash, would you be tempted?
A tip of the hat to the author, there’s an element of satisfaction in learning something,,,even at 70. I always thought “Ramchargers” was strictly a Dodge affair. I read the last Plymouth they raced was in 1959. Again, watching the vintage NHRA channel, it highlights this era of drag racing. Exciting stuff, not the ho-hum, 1,000 ft. ( lame, but safer) racing of today. Cars like this still run the full 1/4 mile, but watching the old fuel car drags, a lot of races were won or lost in that 320 feet.
Personally, I think it’s really cool, from a time most today can’t recall, and good memories too. What’s amazing, is if you had the cash then, you could walk into a dealer,( salesmen jumping over each other) this car cost a whopping $4,400 new, almost $1500 more than a base V8 Cuda, putting it in the Boss 429 category. Splitting hairs on what was faster, but similar thrills could be had everyday. I just wonder if future generations will appreciate this, or just grandpas old hot rod from dusty memories?
Back in the day, most people bought cars to drive, daily. These cars were week-in drivers. Not everyone could afford two cars.
The problem is fuels cars no longer make a “mere” 5000 horsepower and have a top speed of 250 mph. Today’s nitro cars make 12,000 horsepower and routinely go 330+ mph. Bob Tasca III went 340, then 341 mph in Florida at the first of this year.
Many of the tracks were iffy decades ago. None of them are getting longer. Today that extra 320 feet of stopping room is essential.
The result is Top Fuel and Funny Car often looks like a bracket race at the stripe, with some closest racing immiginable.
I challenge anyone to tell the difference between 1000 ft and 1320 from the grandstand.
Gary, you are 100% correct. I’ve worked drag races at Sonoma raceway for years. The former drag strip manager who ran it from 1988 to 2018, prior to that she managed Fremont drag strip for 1/2 dozen years and the fire safety personnel had a different and interesting and different perspective from the vocal “fans”, they are the professionals that come face to face with the consequences of the rules, for good or bad.
Here are some things to consider.
Most engine failures happened on the second half of the track. Which besides being dangerous, created 30+ minute delays for each clean up.
Like you said, the cars were out running shut down areas.
The idea of racing being worse due to the shorted distance is a fabricated talking point. It sounds good, but doesn’t hold up in the real world. I’ve never been to a track where the grandstands reached the 1,000ft mark, many barely reach 1/2 track (660ft). The most desired tickets, which sell for a premium, are close to the starting line, the discount tickets are at the far end of the grandstands. Even at 1,000ft the cars are well past spectators and are disappearing into the distance, the extra 320 feet just means they become a smaller dot, more quickly.
Anyone who still thinks otherwise should read the accident report by the New Jersey state police of Scott Kalitta’s crash. It spells out all of the pitfalls Gary brought up and more.
Steve R
I agree to an extent, however, it’s not about what the fans see from the grandstand, it’s about what Wally had in mind in the 1st place. 1/4 mile. I agree that many tracks need to be longer, but urban sprawl has put a limit on that. I see the Winternationals from the 60s, Pomona was out in the sticks. I think even at the increased speeds, the fuel cars still stop well within the shut down area, provided no problems, of course. Englishtown was one of the shortest, and Scott Kalittas death was a failure on many accounts. I believe a TV cameraman was also killed, we never heard about. With the fumes they release, I think it’s just a matter of time the EPA will have their way.
Howard, the reason NHRA shortened the distance is spelled out in your answer, “the fuel cars will stop well within the shut down area, provided no problem, of coarse.” Rules are made based on when things go wrong. My old track manager used to say, each rule is written in someone’s blood.
The short shutdown area at Englishtown is the shining light used to to distract from the real problem. The extra 320 feet is what causes the mechanical failures which which lead to a snowball effect causing more mayhem leading to the accident. More drivers than Scott Kaliyah had been killed due to engine failures which likely wouldn’t have happened at the shorter distance such as Darrell Russel and Blaine Johnson, there are probably more, his was just the last, the one that prompted action.
By the way, no camera man was hurt or killed. Like I said, you should read the accident report, it’s online, and spells out what happened and why.
Steve R
There is no splitting hairs on what is faster. The Boss 429 was a poor performer considering and wasn’t any threat on the drag strip or street, NASCAR was different. It’s been a long time but from what I recall they suffered from expelling exhaust gases. Ford straightened up the valve angle problem Chrysler Hemis had but then had a problem with manifolds. Someone feel free to correct me and/or add if my memory is off.
They were and still are really badass cars just not in the same league as E-body Hemi cars.
I think in the next 20 years climate change will decide for us if these cars survive.
HoA,
I bought a new 1972 Cuda with the 340 cu in engine and auto transmission.The largest engine available in the 1972 Cuda.
My cost was $3200 out-the-door.
Things have changed since then.
Gee, our old LaSalle ran great 👍! Those WERE the days! 👍. Don’t get me started! 😁 🤣
I take it this car would not be the ideal vehicle to go up the block to the local 7-11 to buy cat food, nor will you see it in a claimer race.. And it’s priced beyond what most of us Barn Finders can afford. Still, you’re not going to see one of these every day and just the fact it even exists is a very good thing. No doubt an investor will buy it and hopefully keep it as it is.
Terry, it might be a car you might on Friday night cruise on up to the 7-11 or DQ and grab a shake. Let the eyes Oogal over it.
I’d be tempted except if I paid a quarter mill that’s not going anywhere near a public street.
While not this CUDA, I would love to have Don Johnsons yellow Cuda convert from Nash Bridges 💛, cruising round San Francisco! 👍
It was a cool car for sure, but they started life as a 1970 non hemi cars. Lots of work to convert them to look like a 71! They made 3 for the show. A hero car and 2 for the stunt type driving. Neither of them had a Hemi in them in the show. All said, I would love to have it for sure!
Wow, what a blast from the past. I built this car as a plastic model in my early adolescent years. Thanks for the memories!
Beautiful car. I’m glad it survived, many cars with race history, unfortunately were restored to stock. Worth every penny.
Steve R
Agreed , a bargain for what it is !
Awesome to see this Cuda survived and is in as-raced form. It is a shame that it’ll probably end up in some hedge fund investor’s warehouse but it is very cool that it still looks like it did back when it was ripping the strips. Love these old factory drag racers and classic drag race cars in general. Just too bad many of them don’t get to be seen by Joe Public except when they come up for sale.
Lots of old race cars show up to be part of exhibitions at nostalgia races. People don’t realize, few if any cars running competitively at these events are actually old.
Where you are likely to see an older race car actually racing is at a bracket race. At my local track there are several cars that have been raced continuously since the 60’s, even a few from the late-50’s that have only been updated for safety.
Steve R
The sellers other listing is over one million.
What an amazing piece of drag racing history. I would’ve loved to watch her go down the track in person but by the time she made her debut I’d pretty much left going to the drag races behind.
This car I believe was involved in a lawsuit with an auction company, claiming it was “short-hammered”…
Thank you for bringing this up. I seem to remember watching a Ramchargers car, not necessarily this one, being sold at Barrett-Jackson and there was quite a to-do when the hammer fell. I had never seen that happen before and I’ve always been curious about what that was all about. Does anyone else remember that or have more info?
Barrett-Jackson Sues the Judge – Sports Car Market
Sorry I screwed up the link from 2007 .Lots of info on a most interesting case, brought by a whiny Michigan Judge.
Currently watching a Nash Bridges rerun. Would love to be cruising San Francisco in that yellow 💛 Cuda, back in the day.👍. Seems like as the years pass, they run right over us. 😔. Guess it’s 🎵 Time to remember 🎶 when life was mellow and we were young 🎵 and could drive Cudas so yellow! 🎵. Those WERE the days! 😉
Reader’s digest version ; This IS the car .Sold for $300k ,judge thought it was worth 900 to a mill , reading between the lines the judge probably paid BJ’s expenses to avoid what would surely have been a solid case for Defamation ,brought by BJ.
To put in perspective , it was only a couple of years earlier that the “Ray Allen ” LS-6 Chevelle convertible ,with similar racing provenance , sold to a front row big mouth for $1.2 Million .His syndicate went broke shortly thereafter ,and the Chevelle took a nearly $1,000,000 haircut .I think it sold again at BJ for around $275 k ,2 or 3 years later.That 2005 /6 era was a crazy peak for rare musclecars.
This time around it sold for a best offer.
This is one seriously cool automobile. Whether or not it’s worth the money is most definitely a personal choice. Were I to have an abundance of play money, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Even at 74, I would still be willing to take it to the local race track and have a go at the current classification, or the nostalgia drags. One quick clarification: dragstrips are only shortened to 1000 ft. for top fuel and funny car, all other classes still run 1320.
One thing I neglected to include in my previous comment was kudos to Mr. Clarke for an extremely well written and informative article. Rare to find someone in this day and age with real knowledge of the super stock wars.