1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda

Pony car powered by 426 Hemi V-8.

1970 Plymouth Barracuda 426 Hemi photographed by Sicnag; reviewed as representative Hemi Cuda exterior media, not individual-car proof.

Signature hardware 426 Street Hemi, dual four-barrels, and 'Cuda performance trim

Make and line Plymouth Barracuda performance 'Cuda

Engine 426 cu in Hemi V-8

Factory output 425 gross hp / 490 lb-ft

Carburetion two four-barrel carburetors

Story

The 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda sits at the top of the new E-body Barracuda line: Plymouth's performance 'Cuda trim fitted with Chrysler's 426-cubic-inch Street Hemi V-8. Factory literature and contemporary reference material identify the car as a Plymouth 'Cuda rather than a separate marque or special edition, with the Hemi treated as an optional powertrain within the performance line.

Sources agree on the core powertrain description: a 426 cubic-inch Hemi V-8 with two four-barrel carburetors, factory gross output listed at 425 hp and 490 lb-ft, and availability with either a four-speed manual or TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Body-style coverage stays broad because the Hemi 'Cuda was documented as a 1970 'Cuda hardtop and convertible; production totals, axle ratios, assembly-plant details, and package exceptions need car-level records before they are stated more narrowly.

The photos and videos are representative exterior and model context only; filenames and captions are not used as standalone identity proof.

**1970 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi photographed at Auto Classique; representative exterior and stance context.**Bull-Doser via Wikimedia Commons

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Base MSRP $3,164

1970 Plymouth Cuda coupe base car before Hemi option (1970)
Autoweek states the referenced 1970 Hemi Cuda was built from a $3,164 base car; the Hemi engine was separately priced as an option.
1970 Plymouth 426 Hemi Cuda: Things definitely got Hemi
Option price $871

426-cid Hemi engine option on a 1970 Plymouth Cuda (1970)
Autoweek reports the Hemi option price as $871 for the documented car; cents, if any, were not given in that source.
1970 Plymouth 426 Hemi Cuda: Things definitely got Hemi

Market Observations

High bid $200,000

May 16, 2025 · Mecum Indy 2025
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda factory R-code, B5 Blue, 426/425 HP Hemi, automatic · restored · unknown Mecum describes a rotisserie restoration and shows Bid Goes On with a $200,000 high bid; this is not treated as a sale.
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, Lot F135, Indy 2025
Auction sale $522,500

Jan 17, 2025 · Mecum Kissimmee 2025
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, V1G Gator Grain car, 426/425 HP Hemi, 4-speed manual · restored · unknown Mecum describes a rotisserie restoration with broadcast sheet and shows a sold result/hammer price of $522,500.
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, Lot F181, Kissimmee 2025
Auction sale $275,000

Mar 31, 2023 · Mecum Glendale 2023
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, FC7 In Violet, 426/425 HP Hemi, 4-speed · restored · unknown Mecum describes a comprehensive restoration and shows a sold result/hammer price of $275,000.
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, Lot F132, Glendale 2023
Auction sale $220,000

Aug 19, 2022 · Mecum Monterey 2022
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda hardtop, matching-numbers 426/425 HP Hemi, automatic, Blue Fire Metallic · restored · unknown Mecum lot text says the car was refinished in its original color and shows a sold result/hammer price of $220,000.
1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, Lot F40, Monterey 2022

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Transmission

Factory transmission 4-speed manual
Factory transmission TorqueFlite automatic

Options

426 Hemi 426 Street Hemi engine option optional · performance · The checked sources describe the Hemi as the top engine option for the 'Cuda line, rated at 425 gross hp with dual four-barrel carburetion.
A833 Four-speed manual transmission optional · performance · Four-speed manual availability is documented in the Hemi 'Cuda source set.
TorqueFlite Automatic transmission optional · performance · TorqueFlite automatic availability is documented in the Hemi 'Cuda source set.

Paint

**1970 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi rear-quarter view; representative tail-panel and body-side detail.**Valder137 via Wikimedia Commons

FJ5 Limelight factory · solid
FC7 In Violet factory · solid
FY1 Lemon Twist factory · solid
EV2 Tor-Red factory · solid

Production

1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda total total · 666 · reported
Hemi 'Cuda hardtop by body · 652 · reported
Hemi 'Cuda convertible by body · 14 · reported

Authenticity

Hemi engine identity 426 Hemi V-8 with dual four-barrel carburetion and car-correct drivetrain dates · Engine pad/casting numbers, transmission, fender tag, broadcast sheet, and original paperwork · numbers matching
Body and trim documentation Fender tag, broadcast sheet, VIN/body evidence, and paperwork supporting Hemi 'Cuda trim and body style · Fender tag, VIN tag, broadcast sheet, door data label, and ownership history · fraud detection
VIN/body/engine decode example A documented 1970 Hemi Cuda example decodes VIN BS23R0B349214 as Plymouth Cuda car line, 2-door body type, R-code 426 2x4-barrel Hemi engine, 1970 model year, and Hamtramck, Michigan assembly; this example does not prove another car without its own VIN/body records. · VIN tag, fender tag, broadcast sheet, body stampings, and inspection report or registry paperwork tied to the same vehicle. · fraud detection

Still Researching

rear axle Standard and optional axle families, gear ratios, and limited-slip states are now fully resolved and sourced for this model. Verifying the original factory-installed rear axle assembly, ratio, and matching-numbers authenticity for an individual vehicle still requires car-level records such as the fender tag, broadcast sheet, or physical axle tag.
paint colors The page lists representative high-impact colors, not the full 1970 Plymouth paint-code matrix or production by color.
interior The page includes core interior equipment, but exact upholstery and trim-code availability still needs tag-level support.
authenticity markers The page now includes a sourced VIN/body/engine decode example for a documented 1970 Hemi Cuda, but complete fender-tag, broadcast-sheet, and drivetrain date-code authenticity markers remain unresolved for other cars without their own paperwork and inspection records.