A 1970 Plymouth Barracuda powered by a Hemi V-8 is catnip to automotive collectors, and now the primary one in all these iconic muscle vehicles constructed is up on the market.
First noticed by Muscle Vehicles & Vehicles, the automotive is being provided by Indiana-based Motorvault for a cool $2.2 million. An unusual Hemi ‘Cuda (as efficiency variations have been badged starting in 1970) might most likely fetch that quantity at public sale, however this automotive can be billed as a pre-production instance with simply 17,755 miles.
First 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda (picture through Motorvault)
Plymouth launched the Barracuda in 1964 to counter the Ford Mustang (really displaying the Barracuda a few weeks earlier than Ford’s Pony Automotive) however the second-generation mannequin launched for 1970 proved extra common with muscle-car followers. That is probably all the way down to extra distinctive styling and a bevy of efficiency variants, together with the racing-inspired AAR ‘Cuda and, after all, the Hemi ‘Cuda.
Powered by the legendary 426-cubic-inch Hemi V-8, this was one of many brawniest Barracudas, with a claimed output of 425 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque. This automotive pairs that engine with a 4-speed handbook transmission (an automated was additionally out there), making it one in all simply 284 1970 ‘Cudas constructed with that mixture of engine and gearbox.
First 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda (picture through Motorvault)
That is not all that makes this automotive particular. It is simply the third 1970 Plymouth Barracuda constructed, and the primary with a Hemi. Accomplished on August 1, 1969 in Hamtramck, Michigan, it additionally has an uncommon mixture of choices. Not like most Hemi ‘Cudas ordered by prospects, it lacks a tachometer and exterior graphics. It additionally options an overhead console and the Premium trim bundle.
Per the vendor, the automotive has been in Indiana since 1983, spending most of its life in a museum. It was repainted in the identical Alpine White coloration utilized on the manufacturing facility, however is in any other case claimed to be unrestored. Hemi ‘Cudas already command large cash—a pair of convertibles bought for greater than $2 million every at a 2016 public sale—and this automotive’s originality and distinctive historical past ought to solely add to its worth.