1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda

Pegged at selling prices going up to $4Million, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda is undoubtedly the world’s most expensive muscle car. With only 14 units ever made, prices are sure to shoot up when the demand for a Barracuda arises in the market. The small number of the 1970 Barracuda, however, is an ironic twist to the price it now enjoys. Back in the day, it had low market reception, leading to a very limited number of 1970 Barracudas released.

Itis the first model of the third generation of Barracudas that circulated from 1970 until 1974. It was also the first Barracuda to totally deviate from the Plymouth Valiant design where earlier models were based on. It comes in two variants – a two-door coupe and a two-door convertibles. The convertible ones were made exclusively at the Hamtramck plant in Detroit, Michigan. The 1970 Barracuda was also the first model to use the E-body designed by John E. Herlitz based on the modified Chrysler B platform. It offers a lower yet wider version of the existing platform.

The 1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda comes in three variants – the lower-priced base model or the BH, the sportscar model or the ‘Cuda BS, and the luxurious ‘Cuda Gran Coupe or the ‘Cuda BP. It must be noted that the nickname ‘Cuda was primarily used to pertain to the more luxurious, high-performance models of the 1970 Barracuda. The high-powered models were packed with six-cylinder engines to ensure a faster ride experience for its driver.

Powered by a 7.0-litre V8 Hemi engine, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda rev up to a maximum power of 425hp. It is packed with solid disc front brakes and geared with drums at the rear. The three-speed manual transmission of this muscle car can accelerate from 0 miles per hour (mph) to mph in 5.8 seconds. It also fares well on the quarter mile test with an average time of 14 seconds at a speed of 102 mph. This is actually very fast for a car made in 1970, with most of its counterparts falling way behind the speeds recorded for the ‘Cuda.

Designed to be a fast car, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda made its racing debut at the All-American Racers’ Trans-am series of the same year of its release. Drivers Swede Savage and Dan Gurney raced similar factory-sponsored units that earned them three pole positions in the league. Although neither car took home the championship, one of them finished second in the the competition.

Another four 1970 ‘Cudas found themselves racing for the Chrysler France team from 1970 to 1973. The team’s then-director, Henri Chemin, piloted the first car before selling it off to J. F. Mas. The 1970 ‘Cuda raced two more years with Mas before it was set into retirement. Those two years won Mas and his ‘Cuda one hill-climbing championship, three on-track ones, and four French Group 1 Class trophies.

Although the most expensive 1970 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda in record sold for $4Million, most units easily sell for half that price despite the car’s condition. This year, a 1970 ‘Cuda is being advertised at a going price of $3.2Million. With the number of muscle car fanatics fighting to own this particular unit, prices may rise up to the record $4Million or more.