Tuned 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Packs Secretive HEMI V8 Crate Engine, Needs TLC

Second-gen models were better, especially later model years, like a 68 or a 69, but even those paled in comparison to what Plymouth managed to build between 1970 and 1974 – the third gen E-body ‘Cuda.

Gone was the fastback design, in favor of proper coupe and convertible body styles. No longer were these “economy cars”, oh no. They were enthusiast cars, with plenty going on underneath the hood. Think about this: you could get a Barracuda with as much as 425 horsepower... in the early 1970s! That’s more power than you got in a first-generation Audi R8 back in the mid-to-late 2000s.

Anyway, let’s digest this particular 1970 Barracuda for now, seeing as how it’s getting auctioned off to the highest bidder and if you hurry up, you might still have time to put your money down.

The exterior was painted orange under previous ownership, a color that looks good alongside those black “hockey stick” stripes with the HEMI lettering.

Other exterior features include the ‘Cuda-style front valance, a replacement grille, a black American Metal Direct hood with a shaker scoop and Hotchkis pins, chrome bumpers, rear wing, LED taillights, plus a set of 15-inch American Racing wheels with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires (215/60 front, 255/60 rear).

The current owner meanwhile is the one responsible for the Wilwood master cylinder, four-wheel disc brakes, tubular front K-member, double-adjustable front coilovers, Viking Performance rear shocks, Hotchkis upper control arms and the Magnum Force four-link rear suspension. There’s no power steering, though.

Inside, we can highlight the white vinyl front bucket seats, pistol-grip-style shifter, FiTech EFI controller, a Kenwood amp, the ‘Cuda-branded floor mats, the carbon fiber-style white overlay on the center console, and a two-spoke steering wheel. Unfortunately, there’s a whole bunch of stuff that’s not working, like the cruise control, speedometer (you kind of need that), and the Bluetooth audio receiver.

Worry not though, because while this Barracuda could indeed use a lot of TLC (both inside and out), there is a major treat waiting for you under the hood in the shape of a 472 ci HEMI V8 crate engine, which on paper should be good for 525 horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque.

The power unit is mated to a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic and features an Edelbrock intake manifold, ceramic-coated exhaust headers, MSD electronic ignition, new fuel pumps, plus a whole bunch of other goodies the current owner saw fit to install.

All things considered, this baby should be really fun to drive, especially in a straight line, given what it is that’s powering the rear wheels.