79-YO Letting This Rare 1970 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda Go, Now Worth More Than a New Hellcat

Probably what mattered most was that Plymouth managed to build the Barracuda into a different type of animal, one with genuinely sporty traits and accolades. As you probably know, high-performance models were sold as ‘Cudas, ranging from 290 all the way to 425 in terms of horsepower, the latter courtesy of a 426 ci (7.0L) Hemi V8 engine.

These cars are extremely valuable today, especially well-maintained ones with the 426 ci V8. It’s not just the flagship specification that adds value, but also the fact that it’s a relatively rare car, and that’s a strong selling point when dealing with a collector (or somebody with deep pockets in general).

How rare? Well, take this Rallye Red example we just found getting auctioned off. Plymouth only built 368 Hemi Cudas for the 1970 model year, equipped with the 426 ci V8 and a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission – and it’s exactly such a car that’s now in need of a new owner.

It’s no wonder that with two days left to go in the auctioning process, the highest bid has already surpassed $100,000, making this Hemi ‘Cuda more expensive (and rather more valuable) than a brand-new Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock ($91,300 MSRP).

More on this car, it’s got black Hemi hockey stripes, a Shaker hood with an exposed intake and pins, front fog lights, elastomeric bumpers, body-color side-view mirrors, chrome dual exhaust outlets, plus a set of Rallye wheels with Goodyear Polyglas GT white-letter tires.

Inside, you’ll find black vinyl front bucket seats and a similar rear bench, to go with the color-coordinated headliner, door panels, dashboard, and carpets. Other noteworthy features include the center console with the locking storage bin, heater, a Chrysler Music Master AM radio, woodgrain three-spoke steering wheel and a similarly finished Rallye instrument cluster.

Now back to that engine, it’s a replacement Hemi V8 allegedly sourced from another 1970 Hemi ‘Cuda. It was rebuilt in 2016 to a displacement of 431 ci, where it now also features dual Carter four-barrel carburetors to go with the body-color Shaker Bubble.

It’s hard to be sure of an exact horsepower figure, but whatever it is, it’s bound to be enough – with everything going to the rear wheels via the TorqueFlite A727 three-speed automatic gearbox.

Can I do even better than this?

Honestly? Sure, but not without spending a crazy amount of money. We’re talking Italian exotic type of money. Examples that are truly super rare will set you back more than a Ferrari SF90, and there have even been instances where their valuation surpassed $1 million, by a lot.