650hp 526ci Indy-Goldberg "Who's Next" HEMI V8 5-spd Dana 60 Upgraded Chassis

Built to intimidate and engineered to deliver, this 1970 Plymouth Barracuda doesn't rely on nostalgia. It weaponizes it. What began as a factory Gran Coupe has been reborn after a decade of work into a modernized street machine with an old-school soul and an engine you don't stumble across twice. Built in Texas with largely original sheet metal, the car was constructed with purpose, not flash, resulting in a machine that's brutally quick, visually sharp, and finished to a standard that rewards close inspection.

Finished in Hemi Orange and detailed with a HEMI hockey stripe, the car wears a mix of factory lines and subtle metalwork that make it both recognizable and distinct. The front valance was extended and reshaped, the rear valance molded in, and the rockers stretched to conceal the pinch welds. Marker lights were shaved, bumpers were tucked tight to the body, and Harley-Davidson Road King driving lamps were integrated into the front valance and feature LED turn signals. The look is cohesive and confident, showing how far refinement can go without losing character. Every inch was designed to modernize the E-body's aggression while preserving its silhouette.

Power comes from a limited-production 526ci Indy Cylinder Head “Who's Next” HEMI V8, one of roughly twenty engines developed in collaboration with professional wrestler and Mopar enthusiast Bill Goldberg. Built by Indy's in-house team and reportedly assembled with its FAST XFI 2.0 fuel injection system on-site, this example may be the only “Who's Next” engine produced in that configuration. The result is a truly one-off piece of Mopar engineering, an iron-block, naturally aspirated powerhouse rated at roughly 650 horsepower. It delivers the kind of output usually reserved for supercharged builds, achieved here purely through displacement, compression, and airflow. The combination of aluminum 426 Legend heads, Comp hydraulic cam, and electronic fuel management provides modern precision and instant throttle response. A BeCool radiator keeps temperatures steady, while ceramic-coated long tube headers feed a full X-pipe exhaust with DynoMax mufflers. The sound is dominant, the response immediate, and the engine itself serves as the centerpiece of this entire build.

Backing the engine is a Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch and a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter. Power moves to the pavement through a Moser Dana 60 rear axle with 3.73 gears. The chassis was upgraded with an RMS AlterKtion front suspension and QA1 coilovers, paired with a Ridetech 4-link rear setup that keeps the stance planted under acceleration. Braking is handled by SSBC calipers clamping slotted rotors with a Wilwood reservoir assisted by a Hydratech hydraulic boost system. Steering is quick and precise thanks to power rack-and-pinion hardware mounted to an Ididit tilt column. Intro Pentia billet wheels, 18" up front and 19" in the rear, wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires measuring 245mm front and 295mm rear that give the car a modern footprint.

Inside, the cabin carries the same philosophy as the exterior. The original E-body layout remains, but the interior has been refined to match the car's performance and intent. New Vintage USA Detroit-series gauges fill the stock cluster, while the stainless Ididit tilt column and Hurst shifter give the driver a mechanical connection to the car. Vintage Air controls handle air conditioning, and Dynamat insulation throughout keeps heat and noise in check. A Pioneer head unit with Bluetooth connectivity joins an Alpine amplifier to power JL Audio speakers and an Alpine sub. Between the bucket seats is a mounted fire extinguisher, included as a simple and sensible safety feature.

After nearly two decades of ownership and a ten-year transformation that was completed around 2023, this Barracuda stands as the kind of car that doesn't need to shout to prove a point. It carries the presence of a classic muscle car and the precision of a modern performance machine. The stance is aggressive, the sound is violent, and the execution is cohesive from top to bottom. This isn't a copy of the past. It's a modern interpretation built with integrity, balance, and intent.

Key Highlights

* Professional, ground-up restoration completed 2023
* Built from a largely original 1970 Barracuda Gran Coupe
* Limited-production 526ci Indy Cylinder Head "Who's Next" HEMI V8 (650hp)
* 1 of 20 engines built in collaboration with Bill Goldberg
* FAST XFI fuel injection
* Tremec TKO500 5-speed manual transmission
* Moser Dana 60 rear axle with 3.73 gears
* Limited-slip differential
* RMS AlterKtioin front suspension
* Ridetech 4-link rear suspension
* QA1 coilovers
* Four-wheel power disc brakes
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Modern air conditioning
* 245mm front and 295mm rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires
* 18" front, 19" rear Intro Pentia wheels
* Tucked bumpers and extended rockers
* Harley Davidson driving lights
* Pioneer headunit with Bluetooth connectivity
* JL Audio speakers, Alpine amplifier, and Alpine subwoofer