The 1970s were all about style—and when it comes to cars, automakers were going all out. In the golden era of muscle cars, before the energy crisis of 1973, the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was king. A car with a massive variety of models, paint schemes, and engine varieties, the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda reigned supreme over most muscle cars of its day.
While the Plymouth line was discontinued by Dodge
decades ago, the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda remains one of the most valuable muscle cars on the market. But what exactly made it stand apart from the crowd back in its heyday? Get the scoop on the ’70s most iconic ride, and why it still dazzles fans with endless trim choices, and a massive, NASCAR-proven engine. The ‘Cuda came loaded with options
As Hagerty
reports, the base model 1970 Plymouth Barracuda came loaded with options and still sets the bar high. With a body styling that closely mirrored the Dodge Challenger, the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda came with a staggering nine engine options, from a 145-hp slant-six to a 7.0-liter beast that pumped out 455 horsepower (more on the 426 Hemi later). Buyers could choose between 15 different paint schemes, three different transmission options, and five performance axles for both street driving and drag racing. With so many trim options, demand was higher for the more affordable and less performance-based vehicles.
For example, only 14 Hemi convertible options are known to have been produced in 1970. That’s why the higher-end models, like those with the 426 Hemi, are what makes some 1970 Plymouth Barracuda models so valuable today.
The 426 Hemi was (and is) legendary
Few engines are more famous than the vehicles they were featured in, but in the 426 Hemi’s case, this engine option nearly eclipses the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda in terms of street cred. Allpar
notes that the 426 Hemi was originally outfitted for NASCAR in 1964—and the four cars with this “elephant engine” under their hood swept the entire race, taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. Chrysler then got the ingenious idea to start selling the 426 Hemi as an engine option for both the Dodge Challenger and the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda—albeit a highly-modified version.
But when the fuel crisis of the mid-70s began, the Barracuda and Challenger were gutted and given new smaller engines and less dramatic body stylings. The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda was a short-lived but notable muscle car. While the Challenger lives on in modern iterations, the ‘Cuda rests in peace, immortalized as an icon of the classic car era.
MORE: The Plymouth Barracuda, an Overlooked Muscle Car
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