Unrestored Original 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Up for Grabs

1970 Plymouth 'Cuda
courtesy of Russo and Steele

Another in my series of featured cars for Russo and Steele’s upcoming Scottsdale auction. Time to look at some Mopar muscle, a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda coupe, VIN BS23R0B146640. It’s a big beast, with a 108 inch wheelbase. Russo and Steele note that the ‘Cuda had been restyled by John E. Herlitz for 1970, using the long hood and short deck that had worked so well for the Mustang. I do like its lines.

Chrysler had three versions of the Barracuda for the 1970 model year, the base model (yawn), the luxury model Gran Coupe, and the high performance sport model ‘Cuda like this one. The larger engine bay of the new model meant there was room to tuck in a 426 cubic inch hemi, one of nine available options (actually, you could also get it with a 440 for less than the price of the hemi--see conceptcarz).

Yes, this car has the 426, along with a manual four-speed transmission, shaker hood scoop, rally instrument cluster, front disc brakes and power brakes. It also has a vinyl roof and, of course, sports stripes. According to Russo and Steele, the base price on this model was $3,164. With all the extras, it cost $5,361.85, a lot of money at the time. Perhaps that’s why it was repossessed shortly after it was sold. Its second owner held on to it until 2009, and obviously took good care of it. It has only 49,390 miles on the odometer and “has been maintained in showroom condition and is an original unrestored example with no alteration or modification of any type.” It even has its original license plate frame.

1970 Plymouth 'Cuda
courtesy of Russo and Steele

[SOURCE: http://www.russoandsteele.com/collector-car/1970-Plymouth-Hemi-Cuda/33052]