Restored Numbers Matching Cuda 440 4 Speed Dana

Another spectacular and unusual find, this time an absolutely loaded 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda Gran Coupe with a matching numbers 440 and 4-speed transmission, Track Pack, luxury interior with leather seats and an overhead console, in a very unusual color combination. If you're into cars whose production numbers are probably in the single digits, this might be a car you'll want to examine closely. Fully restored to original specifications a few years ago, it's a cool and strange combination of options and colors that is sure to draw a crowd at the next Mopar Nationals.

How unusual is it? Here's the fender tag decode you tell me:

BS23:

Plymouth Barracuda

Special, 'Cuda

2 Door Hardtop

U0E: 440 375HP 1x4BBL V8

1970

Los Angeles, CA, USA

125046: Sequence number

E86: 440 cid 4 barrel V8 375hp

D21: 4-Speed Manual Transmission

FF4: Light Green Metallic / Lime Green Metallic Exterior Color

PRT5: Trim - Premium, Leather Bucket Seats, Tan

000: Full Door Panels

C10: Build Date: December 10

073483: Order number

V1F: Full Vinyl Top, Green

A01: Light Package

A33: Track Pak with 3.54 ratio

B51: Power Brakes

C16: Console with Woodgrain Panel

C26: Consolette with Formed Headliner

C55: Bucket Seats

G33: LH Remote Racing Mirror

J45: Hood Tie Down Pins

L31: Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals

M21: Roof drip rail moldings

M25: Wide sill moldings

M31: Belt Moldings

M88: Decklid Moldings Treatment

N41: Dual Exhaust

N42: Chrome Exhaust Tips

N95: Emissions Control

R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)

V1F: Full Vinyl Top, Green

Y14: Sold Car

26: 26 inch Radiator

END: End of Sales Codes

Metallic lime green, green top, tan leather, and built for combat. How cool is that?

Restored in 2007 and showing some light signs of having been driven, this is a car that had us buzzing for hours when it first showed up. Paint is excellent, and really, why shouldn't it be? Modern paint technology is so far ahead of what they were using in 1970, that there's really no excuse for NOT having spectacular results. Body gaps are excellent all around. The finish is nicely done, with good care and maintenance since completion. The unusual green vinyl top is in excellent condition, and we've all discussed it at length. I'm prepared to agree with Consignment Manager Tony Klein that it's probably original and suggests that this car has led a pretty easy life.

The bumpers were re-chromed when the car was restored, and the stainless was polished at that time as well, and today it shows a nice patina that matches the rest of the car.

As a 'Cuda, it shouldn't surprise you that this one comes packing some serious muscle 440 cubic inches of matching numbers big block (translation-it's the engine 'Cuda came off of the assembly line with), as a matter of fact. Nestled into a well-detailed engine bay, the rebuilt big block runs beautifully thanks to a Holley 4-barrel up top and a throaty dual exhaust underneath. Honestly, there's really not much to fault in here the block is Hemi Orange and applied to all the correct components, including the ground cable, the wrinkle finish on the air cleaner is not too hard and not too soft, and all the decals are correct reproductions. Hoses and clamps are accurate, and even the brake master cylinder sports a correct coat of pickling (that's not rust, but a factory process designed to protect raw cast iron). As I said, it really wouldn't take much to elevate this car to the next level, but if it were mine, I'd simply maintain it, show it, and drive the doors off it every chance I got.

Backing up the engine is another incongruity in this luxury-oriented 'Cuda: the original matching numbers 4-speed manual transmission. The undercarriage is painted body color and those appear to be the original floors. Everything shows signs of careful, limited use, but it remains clean and presentable today. The exhaust features Flowmaster mufflers, but the system terminates in the correct N42 chrome exhaust tips, and the system has been painted flat black to keep it out of sight. Out back, there's an indestructible Dana 60 rear full of 3.54 gears and a limited slip, part of the Track Pak, which made this drive-train one of the most potent you could get in 1970. New brakes and new fuel lines were recently installed to make this a top-notch driver, and the suspension was clearly restored along with the rest of the car. Wheels are brand new Rallyes with fresh F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas reproduction tires.

Inside, you'll find the unusual tan bucket seat interior with the rare overhead consolette. The fender tag says the seats are leather and they are correct and fresh. The gauges are original, more evidence that this is a well-maintained car that lived in a good climate and was stored out of the sun. The dash and console have been freshened, and today show only the slightest traces of age, but are completely presentable as-is. The carpets are excellent, and the unique overhead consolette is intact. Door panels are newer reproduction units that look great, and seat belts have been installed. The original AM radio is still in the dash, too! A pair of auxiliary gauges have been added under the dash ahead of the console, keeping an eye on coolant temperature and oil pressure. And, of course, there's my favorite Mopar feature: the pistol-grip shifter on top of the 4-speed. It's almost like the fellow who ordered this car new decided at the last minute that he just had to have a few luxury touches to go with his hardcore street brawler, which I can certainly appreciate.

The trunk is also very nicely detailed, including the space-saver spare, jack and wrench, as well as an inflator bottle. The trunk mat is new.

Documentation is good, including a pile of receipts for the recent work and parts, restoration photos that also show the matching numbers stamped on the engine and transmission, as well as things like an original owners manual.

So if you're tired of the orange and purple and B5 blue Barracudas out there, and enjoy the unusual like I do, this might be your car. Fully sorted and ready to drive and show, it's a perfect #2 car that doesn't need a trailer to get to a show and win a trophy. With big block power, a 4-speed manual, and the Track Pak, there aren't many cars on the road that can run with it, and inside, it's as luxurious as 'Cudas get. With a fully matching numbers drive-train, it's also a decent investment that you can enjoy while it appreciates. Frankly, I don't see a downside to this one as long as you dig the odd ones as much as I do. Call now!