Big Warehouse Opens Up To Reveal Massive Stash of Forgotten E-Body Mopars

Let's take the E-body platform, which Chrysler used for the first-gen Dodge Challenger and third-generation Plymouth Barracuda. Both got the HEMI in 1970 and 1971 only. The HEMI Challenger found only 427 customers, while the HEMI 'Cuda spawned only 780 units. Both are rare and quite valuable.

The 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB is also scarce in these cars. And I mean both the four-barrel and Six-pack/Six-barrel variants. But if you don't care much about what's under the hood, taking the convertible route will also bring you a hard-to-find Mopar.

And most of them aren't all that expensive. Sure, the HEMI-equipped drop-tops fetch millions of dollars in restored condition, but many non-HEMI cars are still waiting to be rescued in junkyards and barns. And at least a dozen of them are currently hiding in a big warehouse somewhere in Missouri.

Documented by YouTube's "Auto Archaeology," this unbelievable stash of 1970-1971 Challengers and Barracudas is part of an even larger Mopar collection that includes many rare gems. I've already discussed some of the B-body rigs parked on the property. But what you're about to see below might just be the biggest collection of E-body drop-tops.

The footage showcases at least eight convertibles of the 1970 Dodge Challenger variety. Many of them are a mystery as far as specs go due to their condition and the way they are stored, but at least half of them appear to be R/T cars. And that's a big deal because only 963 or the 3,884 Challenger convertibles built in 1970 were ordered with the R/T package.

And at least one of them has the 440-cubic-inch Six Pack engine, which makes it one of only 99 built like this. There are no HEMI examples among them, but four-barrel 440 and 383 R/T convertibles are also scarce. Dodge built 163 and 692 units, respectively. Non-R/T drop-tops with the base six-cylinder mill are also scarce, with only 378 examples made.

Moving over to the Barracudas, our host spotted a 1970 version in 'Cuda specs. If it's indeed a true-blue 'Cuda, this Mopar is one of only 548 built with the performance package (out of 2,501 convertibles sold in 1970). But the stash also includes an even rarer 1971 variant. It's one of 374 made. However, the triple-black finish could mean it's a one-of-one gem.

In addition to these drop-tops, the collection is home to a few hardtop E-body cars. I counted a half-dozen 1970 and 1971 Barracudas, including a 1970 Six Barrel car, of which Plymouth made only 1,784 units.

Finally, the warehouse is absolutely packed with E-body parts. I'm talking about several engine blocks, carburetors, doors, windows, and fenders. Pretty much everything you need to build a Challenger or Barracuda from scratch. At first glance, I'm sure this guy could put together at least a dozen cars.

What's he planning to do with all these parts and E-body Mopars? I have no clue, but I'm sure hoping he will use them to restore all those Challengers and 'Cudas. Check them all out in the video below.