When it comes to old Mopars (or any muscle car, really), the options list can make all the difference when assigning value. Throw into it rare features like colors and upgrades and the price can climb even further. This 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6 is a highly optioned car that left the factory wearing Limelight Green paint. The seller spells out numerous features that would have made it quite a looker when it left the showroom, and although it has a non-matching drivetrain, it’s hard not to be impressed by the pedigree that’s on display. Find the ‘Cuda here on Facebook Marketplace with an asking price of $64,900.
Now, that’s certainly a big ask for any project car, as this ‘Cuda has been off the road for at least 16 years while in storage, and who knows how long it was parked before that. Still, the good news is the body looks remarkably straight, even if it was unfortunately repainted the typical “resale red.” The photos included by the seller show the original Limelight Green paint clear as day under the hood, and I’m guessing its still present in other areas as well. The seller notes there’s no major rust in the car, aside from some previously repaired areas in the right rear quarter and in the trunk floor as well. A replacement trunk is included in the sale.
The interior looks surprisingly nice, and speaks to the car being in the care of owners who didn’t abuse it, even if it ended up neglected in a barn. The options list, as mentioned, is quite generous: the real-deal N96 shaker hood; Rally woodgrain dash; A36 performance axel package with 3.55 Sure Grip; 26-inch radiator; G36 painted racing mirrors; J54 hood pins; and 15×7 Rally wheels. The bucket seats appear to be in excellent condition with no need for upholstery work and the same goes for the woodgrain inserts in the center console. It hasn’t been overly modified, either, and it’s reassuring to see the OEM steering wheel still in place and in great condition.
Now, the engine bay reveals some details that may impact a collector’s perception of how valuable this ‘Cuda is. For one thing, note the repainted areas: the engine bay was painted, but the underside of the hood was not – how weird is that? Now, the drivetrain itself is desirable, but again – not original. It features a ’68 440 street built motor, with a custom-built 727 transmission. Other details include a manual valve body and 2800 stall converter. When it comes to a car like this, how important is originality? Are the upgrades the kind that make you forget it’s not a numbers matching car? I wish it were at least still its original color, as that awesome paint scheme could make it easy to overlook the other deviations.
Although these Mopars have become quite desirable and pricey, (IMO) this one could be a bargain for someone (*SIGH*Not me!). It will never bring the kind of $$$ that a numbers matching car would. I found this restored one on ebay, only differences being it’s a 4 speed and no vinyl top, asking $150K!: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265048666754
Anyone else remember the “Good Old Days”,
when a teenager could afford a car like this?
Of course insurance was another thing.
There are plenty of used contemporary performances cars that are affordable to today’s teenagers. The only difference is, they are faster, more comfortable, handle better and can actually get decent gas mileage.
Most still respect the 60’s and early-70’s muscle cars, but they don’t make sense as daily drivers for them even if the price point was lower.
Steve R
Very true! There are interesting modern cars that are very affordable if you look for them. I saw a 2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT with a 243 horsepower WRX engine and 6-speed manual. I didn’t even know that existed. You could do all kinds of fun mods on that, and not worry about it because it’s a sub-$10,000 vehicle.
I only mention that particular car because I was looking at it today. There are many others. Cars like this ‘Cuda are long past the hot rod stage and are now into the realm of the serious money guys.
Like the tube-type CB radios I collect and restore from the era, 50 year old cars (or any old things) represent a certain devotion to the machine or device.
That said, assuming that gasoline is still available in 2050 will there be a market for today’s tuner and performance cars? Time will tell.
Have to agree, modern cars are better in almost every way, except for nostalgia, and teenagers don’t have any of that. A win win situation for them. Of course, insurance is still a strangle hold on most. (as it should be, if you are going to utilize all that performance, you are a danger to yourself and others, there should be a price to be paid)
I was in the Navy and came home on leave for a month. I was looking in my hometown for a car and found a green 1973 Cuda with a 318. no rust white interior and white stripes. this was back in 1980 I purchased it for $1250.00. It was stolen in 1982 in Charleston Sc outside my rented trailer where I lived. I was out to sea for about 2 weeks and when I returned it was gone. I reported it stolen but it was never found. I doubt they even looked for it.
The FJ5 green was cool. Respray Red sucks. Save it for the first-gen Camaros.
“Resale Red” is probably THE poorest choice when changing colors.
Love all these big price tags for NOM cars with incorrect paint ta boot.
I see 30-40 tops And that’s all I have to say about that .
I just look at that drivers seat and my arse gets sore.
Look again. This car has had mods done and that interior will need work. In the interior under the speedo is a hole in the dash and to the right of the emergency brake petal appears some McGyver gizmo, which means wiring harness has probably been hacked. Anyone who puts their keys on the woodgrain doesn’t respect this. You will find it all scratched up in an inspection. IMO this one is fully priced as is.
yea i have been wanting to get another but they are way out of my price range. I am a disabled vet on a fixed income and just caint afford it. one day I hope to come across one I can afford but I’m not holding my breath.
Sounds like a wise decision.
I believe that when you had a car painted by Earl Scheib “I will paint any car any color for $29.95 including costly Reds and Metallics” from the sixties he even painted the bottom side of the hood. I will bet you that if the deck lid was opened you would see the original green paint. Look at the engine picture the firewall area and you will observe that there are no heater hoses going to the heater core, there are no tobes even holes for the heater core. Was this a heater delete car? I would like to see an interior picture where the observer can see the front passenger seat and not some discarded cleaners plastic bag covering up what the owner does not want the perspective buyer to see.These photos could not pass Photography 101
The body tag may say this car was limelight green , but under the hood paint looks too original to have been repainted-I’d go out on a limb and say more likely the body tag came off of a limelight green Cuda ,as did the hood ,drivers door and possibly other panels , judging from what is shown.
The best comment and total truth is remember when a teen ager could afford these cars by anglia gt. I am 65 years young and bought a 70 Road Runner FE5 from the original owner in perfect condition from the original owner in 1973, when I was 17, making like $1.95 an hour at the local Chrysler Plymouth dealer pumping gas doing light mechanical work. Never hit car, etc, high option. Unfortunately, most teens destroyed these cars and the truth is, most were in junk yards by the late 70s. I recall seeing a 69 Road Runner convertible in western PA in total rust out condition in 1979. The guy wanted $300 for it. Woulda shoulda coulda.
Once again, “remembering when” has no relevance on today’s market. While it’s nice to reminisce on how much cheaper these cars were as well as being in better shape there’s no validity in the observation that you “bought one in ’73 for $1250. True yes but exhaustingly pointless. It’s no big mystery that cars and every other consumable item known was alot cheaper 50 years ago.
As always,just my opinion but,no way would I pay that much,and I’m a mopar guy,for that money I can get a brand new scat pack that would spank its ass,and have money left for another running, driving, not so rare cruiser.
Well, I looked over the dash and see the hole under the speedo. That dash is from a plain jane Barracuda (6 cyl or 318). I agree that the door and hood are from a green car, but if you look at the rear brakes, they are the larger set up. I wonder if the real Cuda was wrecked/rotted and this was/is the recipient of the major upgrade (swap) and the resale red paint. Food for thought.
BTW, way out of line for that money.
Yes, the price is about $20k too much even if it is an original V-code Six Barrel Cuda with a non-matching engine. No indication that it is not the original body but a savvy buyer should be checking the driver’s side cowl panel and the radiator support for the stamping of the last eight digits of the VIN.
Any BS Cuda, including 426 Hemi cars, could be had with a standard instrument panel versus the obviously upgraded Rallye instruments seen in this car.
Another hint that this may exactly what it says it is…
The firewall appears to have the factory Shaker air door cable grommet and cable intact.
Once again, “remembering when” has no relevance on today’s market. While it’s nice to reminisce on how much cheaper these cars were as well as being in better shape there’s no validity in the observation that you “bought one in ’73 for $1250. True yes but exhaustingly pointless. It’s no big mystery that cars and every other consumable item known was alot cheaper 50 years ago.
$65K? People in Hell want icewater too.
I have a 71 barracuda convertible 318 decent condition I think its clementine or butterscotch color it was a moila parade car has a plaque ” this car made especially for the Hayes, my dad bought it in 1975 for 2000.00. Looks like a good buy