1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda - $115k high bid

1 of 284 4-speed Hemi Cudas produced in 1970, 666 overall. Two year concours restoration completed in 1989. 1,032 miles since completion. 425 HP and 490 ft/lbs of torque. Dual Carter AFB carburetors. Rallye Red with Black Hockey Stick stripes. Super Track Pack. Power brakes. Shaker hood. Black bucket seat interior. Center console.

A 426 Hemi engine instantly made the regular production Hemi ‘Cuda the King Kong of pony cars. With an output of 425 hp, it was matched only by Chevy’s COPO Camaro 427. For the money, a significant $900, you got the 425-hp hemispherical V-8 engine fed by two four-barrel carburetors on an aluminum intake manifold. The Hemi was backed by either the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic or the A-833 four-speed manual.

Chrysler’s HEMI-powered coupe continued unchanged for the 1971 model year, which was to be the HEMI’s last year on the market. The automaker retired the 426 in 1972. Well-documented and outstanding examples can fetch in excess of $200,000, with low mileage cars known to sell for more than $400,000. This example high bid to $115k at Mecums.

All Hemi ‘Cudas received the Shaker hood, with its carburetor-mounted ram-air scoop poking up through a hole in the hood, thus “shaking” with the engine when it was running. Visual features available for the HEMI Cuda included various decal sets and high-impact colors, including Lime Light, Tor Red, Lemon Twist, Vitamin C, In-Violet, Sassy Grass, and Moulin Rouge.