Engine: 426-ci OHV V-8
Horsepower: 425
0-60 mph: 5.8 seconds
Top speed: 140 miles per hour
Price New: $3,433 base convertible, plus $871 for the Hemi engine option
Value Now: $2,000,000-$3,000,000
The Barracuda got a new platform and all-new bodywork for 1970. That was the peak year for the muscle car genre, and the king of the hill was the 425-horse, dual-quad-carbed Street Hemi. When packaged with the convertible body, a rare collectible was born. Only 14 were produced in 1970 -- these cars handle poorly, have so-so brakes, numb steering, and boast marginal build quality. But, oh, my goodness, do they go in a straight line. They were available with your choice of a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission, and the colors had wonderful 1970s-style names: Plum Crazy, Sub Lime, Curious Yellow, Moulin Rouge and, of course, Hemi Orange. In the muscle car mania that took over the collector car hobby beginning around Y2K, the Hemi 'Cuda (produced only in 1970 and 1971) became its Holy Grail. Why else would someone pay upward of $3,000,000 for an old Plymouth?
Behind the Wheel:
If you win the lottery, go to the Barrett-Jackson auction and bid on one. Last year, an orange Hemi 'Cuda went for more than $2,000,000. If you don't have that kind of cash to spare, build a clone from a $10,000 new crate Hemi from Chrysler.
Photo courtesy of Wesley Allison, Motor Trend Classic
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