RARE DETROIT MUSCLE: This Exceptional 1970 HEMI ’Cuda is Ready for Bidding

July 1, 2020
Posted by Barrett-Jackson

The “Holy Grail” of muscle cars to many – a highly original, matching-numbers 1970 Plymouth HEMI ’Cuda (Lot #189) – is among a select group of collector cars offered during the Barrett-Jackson Online Only July 2020 Auction, July 6-10.

Owning a HEMI ’Cuda is a dream that only a few muscle car lovers will ever experience due to their rarity. Many feel the HEMI ’Cuda is the “Holy Grail,” and it certainly has earned its place in the annals of muscle cars with its iconic shape, limited production and tire-shredding power.

The Motor City-born brawler proved its mettle on the racetrack. A report on the new 426 HEMI ‘Cuda in the May 1970 issue of Motor Trend magazine said they recorded a HEMI ’Cuda doing 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds during their test. Their quarter-mile time was 14 seconds at 102 mph.

Only 652 1970 HEMI ’Cuda hardtops were built, and just 14 convertibles were sold in the U.S. market (three were also built for sale in Canada, and one other convertible was sent overseas). According to Mopar expert David Wise, Plymouth built 284 4-speed HEMI ’Cudas for 1970.

Here is the chance to live your dream. Barrett-Jackson is delighted to offer an exceptionally rare and magnificent 1970 HEMI ’Cuda (Lot #189) as part of the Online Only July 2020 Auction.

This street brawler was ordered for maximum performance and was built on April 8, 1970. It is one of just 284 that feature the legendary Street HEMI, an A833 New Process Gear 4-speed manual transmission with the famous pistol-grip Hurst shifter and a Super Track Pak axle package.

It also has the famous “Shaker” hood. The R -Code 426 Street HEMI was a hefty $871.45 option for the muscular ’Cuda sport coupe, which had a base price of $3,164. New for 1970 on the Gen II street HEMI was an updated hydraulic-lifter camshaft, and the mighty “Elephant” exhales through a set of high-flow cast-iron exhaust manifolds feeding a dual exhaust and exiting out the rear valence panel with chrome tips. The HEMI offers 425 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 490 ft/lbs of torque at 4,000 rpm

Finished in Rallye Red, this matching-numbers ’Cuda lays its power to the road via the Dana 60 Series axle with 4.10:1 gear ratio. A set of 15-inch steel wheels were painted in the identical Rallye Red color and wrapped in Goodyear Polyglas GT F60-15 tires finished with dog-dish hubcaps. Inside is the original luxurious white and black interior complete with white vinyl bucket seats with a leather insert, overhead console and a Music Master AM radio.

This ’Cuda underwent a complete, documented, no-expense-spared rotisserie restoration in 2018 and features 33,000 original miles. It is accompanied by a copy of its original Chrysler Broadcast Sheet confirming original equipment. The all-important Trim Tag has been decoded.

A HEMI ’Cuda like this ‒ with its matching-numbers original drivetrain, 4-speed manual transmission and factory documentation – is a rare find indeed. This is an incredible opportunity to own an exceptional example of one of the most coveted and iconic muscle cars of all time.

For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles on the Online Only July 2020 Auction docket, click HERE.