It can be argued that Plymouth beat Ford to the pony car market with its Valiant-based Barracuda in 1964; sales were consistently poor compared to the Ford Mustang and the later Chevrolet Camaro. For 1970, Plymouth and Dodge introduced the all-new Barracuda and Challenger, with a dramatic interpretation of the long hood, short tail styling theme. Their styling, led by John Herlitz, was an immediate hit, and performance fans quickly noticed that the new E-bodies could easily accommodate the entire Chrysler engine range from the Slant Six to the Street Hemi. While production only continued through the 1974-model year, the `Cuda remains undoubtedly one of the most popular high performance American cars of all time.

This Plymouth has benefited from a no-expense spared, nut-and-bolt restoration. It is painted in the desirable Plum Crazy with a white power convertible top and luggage rack attached to the trunk. The interior is beautifully presented with front white bucket seats, rear bench seat, radio, center console with woodgrain insert, and a wood pistol grip shifter. This car started its life as with a 383-cid V-8, but during the restoration process it was decided to replace it with a 1968, 426-cid Hemi V-8 engine that is equipped with a cold air grabber poking through the hood and dual exhaust that exits through the rear valence. It is fitted with power steering, heater and the transmission is the desirable four-speed manual connected to a Dana 60 posi-trac rear-end.

Many of these ultimate performance machines were built to homologate special equipment for racing purposes and others for the pure satisfaction of building the 'baddest' street machines of the day. This `Cuda powered by a Hemi is certainly a rousing example of the ultimate street machine.