lol.... I wonder what the real story was on this

https://www.facebook.com/reel/998108133162622

Hurst SS Cuda with it's original engine pulled out of the widow's garage and brought to the Barnfind section of the MCACN

It’s 1 of only 70 Super Stock BO29 Hemi Barracudas modified by Hurst Performance for competition in the 1968 season. 

Californian George Wejbe bought it new in Santa Fe Springs and campaigned it in IHRA events. 

George retired the car in 1972 and it was recently acquired from his widow. 

Remarkably, it still retains its original 426 race-spec Hemi engine and heavy-duty Torqueflite transmission, and is well documented with its original sales and finance papers, and factory-to-dealer bulletin detailing the race modifications and warranty exclusions.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/barn-finds-hidden-gems-at-the-2025-mcacn-car-show

UGLY paint color, and ugly Fury only hubcaps that the marketing people put on the Cuda, and a flat hood... not even the Shaker hood.... that's a lot going on for a hemi 'Cuda to overcome!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10173349492250512&set=gm.26038354909116665&idorvanity=1264958710216295

a well-built tribute that looks like the real deal at first glance, proof that a 50 thousand dollar build looks exactly like, and performs identically, to a 1 of 7 million dollar rarity

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/1970-plymouth-hemi-cuda-looks-a-million-dollar-gem-but-there-s-a-catch-250417.html#

stored since 1974 in a storage locker with only 29,426 miles on its odometer, still wearing FJ6-code Sassy Grass Green, a set of black “billboard” stripes, and still has it's broadcast sheet

In 1975, the owner suffered from a traumatic brain injury that took away his ability to ever drive again. He decided to stow his pride-and-joy Plymouth on his father’s farm long-term; the risk of damage from moisture or other environmental hazards led him to ensure this was done the right way.

That meant draining all the fluids from the ‘Cuda, applying several heavy layers of undercoating all over the chassis and in the trunk and engine bay, and even painting the front and rear lower valances in a protective black finish. Around 1979 or 1980, it was towed from the farm to a U-Haul storage locker. It wouldn’t move again until 2024 when the owner's transfer to long term care earlier this year required his ’71 ’Cuda liquidated to cover those costs.

It was instantly snapped up by muscle-car collector Angelo Riccio, who's current collection includes an original 426 Hemi 1967 Plymouth Satellite convertible four-speed; and a 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda

this is a result of sitting in one place, for 5 decades... the rust off the exhaust fell onto the floor and left it's perfect outline

https://driving.ca/car-culture/vintage-collectible/1971-plymouth-cuda-340-barn-find-hamilton-ontario-canada

1968 Plymouth Hemi Barracuda prototype started as a 67 Formula S that accumulated street miles before being slated for dragstrip duty. Once its new role was decided, the car was re-engineered from the ground up to accommodate the massive 426 Hemi engine

 

https://www.nhra.com/news/2024/1968-plymouth-hemi-barracuda-prototype-seen-us-nationals  Thanks Mike!

1969 Hemi SuperBee used to tow a 1971 Hemi Cuda SS/DA to Pomona California for the Winternationals

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10168324510195511&set=pcb.10168324516255511

road race 73 'Cuda up for auction, often participating in the Silver State Challenge, and winning it's class in the 160mph class. 440/727, runs a 12.06 in the 1/4

https://www.proxibid.com/1973-Plymouth-Cuda-Open-Road-Race-Car/lotInformation/76718859

an original, one-owner Rallye Red 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda that had been stored since 1976

On Dec. 19, 1969, Mike Gabriel — who had recently graduated from college and turned 24 years old — gifted himself with the new Rallye Red 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda from J.E. Grissom Chrysler-Plymouth in Center Line, Mich. The well-optioned ’Cuda arrived at the dealership from the Hamtramck Assembly Plant and went into dealer inventory, where Gabriel spotted it. His first choice was actually a Hemi Road Runner, but the dealership didn’t have one in its inventory, so Gabriel “settled” for the Hemi ’Cuda instead.

From 1970 to 1973, Gabriel used the Hemi ’Cuda as a daily driver, even during Michigan’s snowy winter months. In 1973, he decided not to put himself and the Hemi ’Cuda through another Michigan winter and its white-knuckle driving conditions. Michigan’s application of road salt further influenced Gabriel to store the car during the snowy season as he attempted to keep it from succumbing to rust. Fortunately for Gabriel, a promotion at AMC allowed him to lease a company vehicle. In 1973, he was relocated to Jeep headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, and his vehicle of choice for the daily commute from his residence in Plymouth, Mich., to Toledo was a Jeep CJ.

In 1976, engine noises caused him to buy a cam, and remove the valve covers, and it's likely he then discovered he'd have to pull the engine to replace the cam, so, that simply stopped all progress. He did died in 2011. 

https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/uncovered-1970-hemi-cuda

the Barracuda in the 2nd Black Panther movie... interesting combination of the decals from a 71 440 Cuda, plus a 70 AAR, on a 72 or 73. It is a good looking combo of decals, but, it would have looked better on an AAR Cuda (better looking hood scoop and tail lights)

at least they got rid of the side marker lights, those 72-73 side marker lights are ugly. I had a 72 for a year, back in the 90s

the grill on a 71 is so much cooler looking, they should have went with that. I think the 72 looks too damn much like the pointed center section of a Pontiac bumper

And I've wondered if the round tail lights on the 72 and 73 were imitations of the Chevelle / Corvette taillights

Love for the 70-71 'Cuda, because no one drives them, and no one has them parked out in the open, I don't see them unless I travel to a Mopar only car show

 

with the hockey stripe, the AAR strobe stripe, and the wonderful billboard

https://www.autoevolution.com/newstag/Plymouth%20Cuda/

an AAR Cuda in the Optima Challenge, sweet!

Did you know, Chrysler produced 5 Cudas under the Chrysler name in France? Ecurie Chrysler France campaigned five ‘Cudas from 1970-73, one of these Cudas was part of Dan Gurney’s AAR racing team and it came back to the US. Another car ended up somewhere in private collection in Belgium And the last two are still in France and are being restored.

That is some trivia I've never learned until now



https://www.mopar-forum.eu/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9064&start=2480
and I just found that I sorta posted some of this in 2013. Yup, memory ain't what it was, http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2013/06/one-off-factory-works-1970-chrysler.html

well, that didn't take long, Juliano collection cars are getting flipped already. The market must be going up. '71 'Cuda convertible 440 six pack

https://mecumgallery.com/plymouth-cuda-convertible

Pure Stock Musclecar Drags, a '70 hemi Cuda takes on a 71 Buick GSX, a 70 Judge, a 69 Hemi Road Rumner, and a 67 Coronet RT

Thanks Mike!

Randy Beren heard rumors of a 3 pedal Hemi Cuda in his neighborhood, so he rode a bike around until he found it! Now it's owned by Stephano Bimbi (Nickey Chevy fame)

Randy Beren of Scottsdale, Ariz., unearthed this ’Cuda. He had heard rumors of a Hemi ’Cuda squirreled away in his general vicinity. With Scottsdale being the home of big auctions, Beren knew it wasn’t wise to spread rumors by asking lots of questions. So, he quietly set off on a bicycle to search for the car. Besides getting some exercise, he was able to slip through small streets and back alleys on his bike.

He found the ’Cuda he had heard about in only a few days of pedaling. The car was hidden from view under a carport and anyone passing by in a car, even at a slow speed, would probably have missed the car. Because he was riding his bike, Beren spotted the ’Cuda.

Amazingly, it was not only a ’Cuda, but a Hemi ’Cuda with 43,000 miles. The car had no serious rust problems, but the desert climate had taken its toll after two decades of storage. The interior was completely dried out and most fabric and vinyl rotten. The sun-baked finish was chalky and virtually colorless. Yet, the car was complete down to its Shaker scoop and performance hood, and best of all, it was restorable.

The man who owned the car said that it had been a locally owned vehicle that never saw long-distance driving. He had originally purchased it as a project car that he intended to restore when time and money permitted. As often happens, the car sat and sat waiting for the work to start. Somehow, the job was never started and the man told Beren he would be happy to sell the car.

Beren bought the car and soon had the long-stalled restoration under way. He was amazed to learn the car required no body panel replacements or serious metal work. It was a virtually unmolested and solid Hemi ’Cuda. The factory exhaust manifolds — usually replaced immediately with headers — were still bolted onto the monster engine

https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/car-of-the-week/car-of-the-week-1970-plymouth-hemi-cuda

The RTX Cuda, helluva cool custom grill and far out 70s paintjob! The work of Chuck Miller and his shop Styline Customs, from the concept art of Harry Bradley

I believe it was green for the 1st road show, and then painted red for the 2nd Rapid Transit System road show

https://dodge-girls.com/2018/12/14/the-rapid-transit-system-caravan/
https://www.pinterest.com/diegorosenberg/classic-muscle-cars/
https://www.mopar-forum.eu/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9064&start=840