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1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda That Shouldn't Exist Is Very Real and Very Awesome

There's a lot of debate as to when the golden age of muscle cars began. Some say it started in 1963 with the arrival of the Pontiac GTO, while others claim it kicked off in 1955 with the Chrysler C-300. But most enthusiasts agree that the golden muscle car era ended in 1973.
1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda 12 photos
Photo: Volo Auto Sales
1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda
That's when most high-performance big-block V8 engines went extinct due to new fuel and emission regulations and when many muscle cars were discontinued or redesigned into smaller and not-so-exciting vehicles. The Plymouth Barracuda is one of the iconic nameplates that disappeared around that time.

Introduced in 1964 as one of America's first pony cars, it was redesigned in 1967 and then again in 1970. The latter update brought us the coolest and meanest 'Cuda ever built.

Decidedly more aggressive on the outside, it also came with Mopar's greatest V8 engines of the era, including the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB and the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI.

But the fun lasted for only a couple of years because both were discontinued for the 1972 model year (alongside the 383-cubic-inch / 6.3-liter V8 too). Granted, the Barracuda still had 245 horsepower at its disposal in 1974, its final year on the market, but the 300+ horsepower 'Cuda went into the history books at the end of 1971.

1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda
Photo: Volo Auto Sales
And this brings me to the 1973 HEMI Barracuda you see here. Wait, what? Wasn't the HEMI discontinued in 1971? Yes, it was, but apparently, at least one 1973 'Cuda owner said, "screw this, I'm making my own HEMI!" And he did, and it's downright fabulous.

Sure, some diehard fans might scoff at the idea, but hey, this isn't a project someone put together in a garage. It's a fully-blown rotisserie restoration that looks great inside and out and rocks a killer engine upgrade under the hood.

And while it does have a modern fuel system, a stainless steel tank, front disc brakes, and billet Rallye wheels, the sheet metal is all-original, and the 727 automatic gearbox is of the numbers-matching variety. And it's been repainted in its factory-correct Lemon Twist finish.

But what about the engine? Is this 1973 Barracuda fitted with an authentic 426 HEMI V8 from the early 1970s?

1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda
Photo: Volo Auto Sales
Well, the valve covers suggest the presence of a vintage HEMI, but this Mopar relies on a modern third-generation version. Yup, the one that Chrysler introduced in 2003 as a 5.7-liter unit and then used as a base for the 6.4-liter version that still motivates lots of Jeeps and Dodges as of 2022.

The same mill also led to the creation of the supercharged, 6.2-liter Hellcat and Demon, as well as the insanely powerful Hellephant crate engine (good for a whopping 1,000 horsepower).

There's not a lot of info to run by, but the HEMI in this coupe is the smaller 5.7-liter variant, most likely of the crate engine variety.

There's no info on output either, but the stock production unit is good for almost 400 horsepower, while a crate unit is capable of much more than that with the right components.

1973 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda
Photo: Volo Auto Sales
I'm obviously hoping this one delivers more than the original 426 HEMI, which was underrated at 425 horsepower, but it doesn't make much of a difference because this 1973 Barracuda sounds downright fantastic. And if the video below is any indication, it should also be a hoot to drive.

Well, if you fancy a finely restored 1973 'Cuda with a modern HEMI under the hood, this Mopar is currently available via Volo Auto Sales in Illinois. It's priced at $91,998, which is a lot for a 1973 Barracuda, but it's definitely more affordable than a true 426 HEMI car in this condition.

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About the author: Ciprian Florea
Ciprian Florea profile photo

Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer.
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