Makes › Plymouth › Barracuda and 'Cuda › Third generation (E-body) › Hemi 'Cuda (1970–1971) · Rare specification · 1970–1971 Very Rare
Plymouth
Hemi 'Cuda (1970–1971)
The 426 Hemi engine combined with the convertible body in the 1970 'Cuda (9 automatic, 5 four-speed)
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 108 Built
- Years
- 1970–1971
- Engine
- Front-mounted 426 Hemi V8 · 6,980 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 426 cu in · converted
- Power
- 317 kW / 431 PSFactory: 425 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Not yet verified
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The 1970 Hemi 'Cuda convertible combined Chrysler's 426 Hemi with the open version of the new E-body Barracuda, a pairing few buyers chose. Only 14 were built for 1970, nine automatics and five four-speeds, which makes it one of the rarest combinations of the E-body range.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (1970–1971) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA · CC BY 2.0
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (1970–1971) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Sfoskett~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda (1970–1971) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Thomas's Pics · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory package production1971 Hardtop: Hemi 'Cuda coupes built in 1971 (59 with 4-speed) | 1082 | Factory production | Independently researched |
| Factory package production1970: 1970 Hemi 'Cuda hardtops produced (368 with 727 automatic) | 6521 | Factory production | Independently researched |
| Factory package production1970: 1970 Hemi 'Cuda convertibles (9 automatic, 5 four-speed); a minority of sources cite 18 | 143 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Plymouth's E-body platform arrived for 1970, lower and wider than before and engineered to take big-block engines. The 426 Hemi, officially rated at 425 horsepower with dual four-barrel carburettors and cross-bolted mains, was offered in the convertible with an automatic or four-speed manual. High cost, intimidating performance and changing buyer tastes kept sales to just 14 cars.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Hemi 'Cuda (1970–1971).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Front-mounted 426 Hemi V84 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 6,980 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 426 cu in · converted4 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 317 kW / 431 PSFactory: 425 hp · converted4 |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Automatic or four-speed manual4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Mecum Auctions lot – 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, Las Vegas 2026 lot S119 (VIN BS23R0B159415) Level B
- 652 1970 Hemi 'Cuda hardtops produced (368 with 727 automatic)
-
2
Mecum Auctions lot – 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, Seattle 2015 lot S133 Level B
- 108 Hemi 'Cuda coupes built in 1971 (59 with 4-speed)
-
3
Classic Industries – The Unicorns of Auburn Hills: 1970 & 1971 Hemi 'Cuda Convertibles Level C
- 14 1970 Hemi 'Cuda convertibles (9 automatic, 5 four-speed); a minority of sources cite 18
-
4
The Unicorns of Auburn Hills: 1970-1971 Hemi 'Cuda Convertibles Level C Classic Industries
- 426 Hemi V8
- 426 Hemi
- Officially rated at 425 horsepower
- nine automatics and five four-speeds
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