The Chrysler E-Body didn’t last long, but its short run was right in the middle of the muscle-car heyday. Unlike the Plymouth Barracuda and related Dodge Challenger that came before the E-Body, the new cars introduced for the 1970 model year stood on their own. They had muscular haunches, a low, sweeping roofline, and even an interior to match.

Of course, underhood thrust was crucial. Back in 1968 Plymouth first shoehorned the 426-cubic-inch Hemi V-8 under the hood of the last Barracuda largely as a Super Stock drag-racing experiment. The fifty cars built burned rubber in rapid fashion, and dealers and the public alike urged the Mopar crew to do it all over again, so of course the engineers in Detroit made sure the big engine would slot right into the E-Body. Thanks in part to the hemispherical combustion chamber that gave it its nickname, the Hemi produced a hefty 425 SAE gross horsepower. Cars that rolled out of Chrysler assembly plants with the big engine underhood also received a toughened-up suspension and beefed-up construction to handle the extra power.

Finished in Alpine White, the 1970 Plymouth Hemi ’Cuda offered here gives few hints as to what’s under its hood. Sure, keen observers will notice its Shaker hood and hood pins and, of course, the black Hemi “hockey” stripes that run from its door handles back over its rear haunches toward its taillights. Yet, with its black steel wheels and simple dog-dish hubcaps mounted on Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, the car seems to blend into its surroundings. It’s the definition of a sleeper, a car visible to only those in the know.

This Hemi ’Cuda presents in exceptional condition. Its white paint is shiny, and its black vinyl roof shows little evidence of use. Inside, the black vinyl bucket seats are separated by a console with woodgrain trim that houses the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, which shuttles power rearward. Its Rallye dashboard houses a full complement of gauges, and an AM radio rests below.

Subtly menacing, this example stands ready to terrorize the pavement once again.