All-Original and Unrestored 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda Doesn't Need a HEMI To Shine

Offered with the 383-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) big-block starting in 1967, the Barracuda got Chrysler's range-topping V8 mills as full-time options when it was redesigned for the 1970 model year. I'm obviously talking about the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB and the 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI.

The third-gen refresh also turned the Barracuda into a sportier-looking rig. As a result, US sales jumped to 48,867 units, a 52.7% increase over the previous year. But even though the newly-added 440 and 426 V8 options made the pony quicker than similarly-equipped midsize muscle cars, these engines were ordered in tiny numbers.

Specifically, only 3,436 examples left the assembly line with these beefed-up mills. And that's only 7% of the total production. The 375-horsepower 440 RB found its way into 986 vehicles, while 1,784 buyers ordered the 440 Six Barrel. Finally, only 666 customers went with the range-topping HEMI. And it happened mainly because insurance rates for high-performance cars had gone through the roof.

As a result, these specific 'Cudas are pretty rare nowadays. They're not impossible to find, but solid examples fetch big bucks at auctions, regardless of whether we're talking about survivors or restored rigs. The HEMI cars cost anywhere between $250,000 to $2 million, while the Six Barrel models usually fetch more than $150,000 in tip-top shape.

But all this talk about prized HEMI and 440 cars overshadows many Barracudas that deserve a place under the spotlight despite not having an overly powerful big-block V8s. Especially since all but the 318-cubic-inch (5.2-liter) 1970 Barracudas are actually scarce. The entry-level 198-cubic-inch (3.2-liter) slant-six engine, for instance, was fitted in only 416 cars.

The white example you see here left the assembly line with a 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) V8. The biggest small-block offering that year, this engine was available in two flavors. The most powerful came with 290 horsepower on tap thanks to a 3x2-barrel carburetor setup. This variant was exclusive to the Plymouth AAR 'Cuda, a homologation special for the SCCA Trans-Am series. Plymouth made 2,724 units.

Then there's the four-barrel 340 version. Rated at 275 horses, it was offered in the regular model. However, this one came with the more premium 'Cuda package. An option to the standard 383 V8, it was ordered on 6,294 vehicles. This one also packs a four-speed manual, which makes it one of 2,460 built in this configuration. We can narrow it down to 2,372 hardtops if we exclude the convertibles.

Moreover, this 'Cuda was ordered with a bunch of rare or now-desirable options, including the A21 elastomeric front bumper and the A36 high-performance axle with 3.55 gears. It also has the Rallye wheels and gauges, a sports hood with pins, and the body-colored "racing" mirrors. It's a well-equipped 'Cuda with more than 15 items on the options list.

But do you know what makes it truly special? This 'Cuda is an unrestored survivor in excellent condition. Likely super well-preserved in a garage, it's still wearing the factory Alpine White paint and vinyl interior, while the 340 V8 and the four-speed manual are numbers-matching.

Granted, it's a rather plain-looking 'Cuda on the outside, but it's one of only a few 1970 'Cuda time capsules out there. And I haven't seen one in such impressive condition in a very long time.