Photo: Mecum Auctions (modified)
Originally introduced as a pony car with inline-six and small-displacement V8 engines, the Plymouth Barracuda became increasingly more powerful toward the end of the 1960s. In late 1969, the company took things up a notch and launched a notably more aggressive version with big-block power.
The new engine lineup included Chrysler's range-topping 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) Six-Pack and 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI. Rated at 390 and 425 horsepower, these mills turned the Barracuda into a full-fledged muscle car. However, the high insurance rates for high-performance vehicles kept many buyers away from these options.
In 1970, only 1,784 customers selected the six-barrel 440 V8, and just 666 went with the HEMI. As total Barracuda sales dropped dramatically in 1971, so did deliveries of range-topping models. The six-barrel 440 found its way into only 254 vehicles, and only 114 cars left the assembly line with the 426 HEMI.
The HEMI is obviously the rarest of the two. With only 780 units sold before the mighty 426 went into the history books at the end of 1971, HEMI 'Cuda make up only 1.2% of the total US Barracuda production. These figures turned the HEMI 'Cuda into a very desirable and expensive classic.
The 1970 hardtop version usually fetches $200,000 to $300,000 at public auctions. The rarer 1971 version exceeds the $400,000 mark in all-original, Concours-ready condition. The record stands at $935,000 for a 1971 HEMI 'Cuda as of December 2023. But if you think that's a lot, wait until you see how much convertibles go for.
The drop-top version is much rarer than the hardtop, to the point where collectors need a lot of patience to get the chance to buy one. That's because US production includes only 14 examples in 1970 and just seven in 1971. How much do they go for? Well, the most expensive 1971 HEMI 'Cuda went under the hammer for $3.8 million back in 2014. And another one failed to sell despite a high bid of $4.8 million in 2021.
The 1970 variant isn't quite as expensive, but it's also a million-dollar car. The 1970 HEMI 'Cuda Convertible record was set at $1.98 million in 2019. But that benchmark is about to be broken because the same vehicle is scheduled to cross the auction block in January 2024.
Restored to perfection by Legendary Motorcar of Ontario, Canada, the Lemon Twist drop-top you see here is one of only nine 1970 HEMI 'Cudas equipped with an automatic transmission. And I'm pretty sure it's the only one that combines a yellow exterior with a tan interior. It's not the most appealing color combination out there, but that didn't bother the collectors who bid nearly $2 million to get it in 2019.
And the folks over at Mecum think the 'Cuda will fetch even more at Kissimmee 2024, with the estimate set at $2.5 to $3 million. Cars like these usually have a reserve, so it may not sell, but if it does, it will most certainly set a new world record for 1970 Plymouth HEMI 'Cudas. Is this Mopar worth that much?
In 1970, only 1,784 customers selected the six-barrel 440 V8, and just 666 went with the HEMI. As total Barracuda sales dropped dramatically in 1971, so did deliveries of range-topping models. The six-barrel 440 found its way into only 254 vehicles, and only 114 cars left the assembly line with the 426 HEMI.
The HEMI is obviously the rarest of the two. With only 780 units sold before the mighty 426 went into the history books at the end of 1971, HEMI 'Cuda make up only 1.2% of the total US Barracuda production. These figures turned the HEMI 'Cuda into a very desirable and expensive classic.
The 1970 hardtop version usually fetches $200,000 to $300,000 at public auctions. The rarer 1971 version exceeds the $400,000 mark in all-original, Concours-ready condition. The record stands at $935,000 for a 1971 HEMI 'Cuda as of December 2023. But if you think that's a lot, wait until you see how much convertibles go for.
The drop-top version is much rarer than the hardtop, to the point where collectors need a lot of patience to get the chance to buy one. That's because US production includes only 14 examples in 1970 and just seven in 1971. How much do they go for? Well, the most expensive 1971 HEMI 'Cuda went under the hammer for $3.8 million back in 2014. And another one failed to sell despite a high bid of $4.8 million in 2021.
The 1970 variant isn't quite as expensive, but it's also a million-dollar car. The 1970 HEMI 'Cuda Convertible record was set at $1.98 million in 2019. But that benchmark is about to be broken because the same vehicle is scheduled to cross the auction block in January 2024.
Restored to perfection by Legendary Motorcar of Ontario, Canada, the Lemon Twist drop-top you see here is one of only nine 1970 HEMI 'Cudas equipped with an automatic transmission. And I'm pretty sure it's the only one that combines a yellow exterior with a tan interior. It's not the most appealing color combination out there, but that didn't bother the collectors who bid nearly $2 million to get it in 2019.
And the folks over at Mecum think the 'Cuda will fetch even more at Kissimmee 2024, with the estimate set at $2.5 to $3 million. Cars like these usually have a reserve, so it may not sell, but if it does, it will most certainly set a new world record for 1970 Plymouth HEMI 'Cudas. Is this Mopar worth that much?
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