— First HEMI® ’Cuda Convertible built
— Only 9 such automatic-equipped HEMI engine-powered 1970 ’Cuda convertibles built
— “FE5” Red paint used on Shaker scoop, as per factory procedure
This ’Cuda droptop was built as a “Public Relations Car” and was shipped from the Hamtramck assembly plant directly to Chrysler’s East Coast press fleet facility located in New York, the exact address (323 East 44th Street) was printed on the original window sticker. Options included the 426-cid, 425-horsepower HEMI engine (E74), TorqueFlite® automatic transmission (D34), Super Performance Axle Package (A32) 4.10 gear ratio, Rallye Wheels (W21), Elastomeric F&R Bumper Group (A22), Power Convertible Top Lift (P37), Multiplex AM/FM Radio (R35), 3-Spoke Rim Blow Steering Wheel (S83), Power Steering (S77) and Comfort Position 6 Way Seat Adjuster (C62), Center Console (C16), Rallye Instrument Group (A62), Light Group (A01), Deluxe Seat Belts (C15), Color Keyed Floor Mats (C92), 50-Amp Alternator (F11), Tinted Windshield (G15) and Undercoating (J55). All totaled, it was a $5,710.70 car. (Note: Shaker Hood [N96] was not an option on the car, the fresh-air system was standard equipment with the HEMI engine was ordered.)
PRESS CAR TO SHOW THE MASSES NEW E-BODY PLYMOUTH
Obviously, this ’Cuda was no stripped-down test car built just for quick times on the track; it was a fully equipped car with lots of “fluff.” Being a press car, it was a special automobile from the get-go (and has “Company Car” notation on window sticker), plus research indicates that this car — with its scheduled build date of September 23, 1969 — is the very first HEMI engine-powered ’Cuda convertible ever built. With just nine TorqueFlite HEMI 1970 ’Cuda convertibles ever built, it adds to the rarity. Yeah, this is a very special car!
Magazine press cars were used to provide editors with feature vehicles and the factories were all too happy to get these high-performance cars into the pages of the publications, as it was a great way to get their message out to the masses. This Rallye Red (code FE5) 1970 Plymouth ’Cuda convertible really made the rounds in the magazines, it was a way to gather large amounts of free publicity for the new E-body line overall.
FE5 RED COLOR APPLIED TO SHAKER FROM FACTORY
The code “FE5” Red paint looks like a natural for the car and this color was also used on the Shaker scoop, which is unique as this body-color paint was exclusive to FE5 cars, all others received silver “Argent” painted scoops.
RED ON RED
There’s plenty of red color on and in and around this ’Cuda, but when you stand back and look at it, it all blends together so well that it looks appealing to the eye … or is it just because the car is worth millions of dollars?! It was only a $24.60 option, the three-spoke “rim blow” steering wheel with matching red center further adds bling to the interior.
THE ULTIMATE ENGINE OPTION: “E74” HEMI!
The 425-hp HEMI engine was an $871.45 option and, looking back, worth every cent! The question is, how quick was it in this application? One of the magazine testers was Joel Kim and he was able to crank out an impressive quarter-mile run of 13.40 seconds at 105.10 mph with the fully-equipped ’Cuda droptop. His best times come while driving the powerful HEMI engine-powered vehicle out of the gate at near idle speeds, then nailing the throttle and making a wide-open pass down the track. The Goodyears were pumped up to 45 psi and were basically worthless if the car was launched hard – instant tire smoke. “What this car needs is a set of 10-inch slicks,” is what Kim stated in the report.
DETAILS MATTER
Correct W34 Space Saver Spare, jack assembly, coolant and tire size markings, proper battery (with “OK” marking) are a few of the numerous details that were included when this ’Cuda was fully restored back to factory condition.
W21 RALLYE ROAD WHEELS
Correct Goodyear rubber (F60-15 Polyglas GT) wrapped around the factory Rallye wheels.
HOCKEY STICK
“HEMI” Hockey Stick stripe announced to fellow motorists what was under that Shaker hood … 426 cubes of hemispherical combustion chamber power!
This angle of the car highlights the body width of the E-body design, which was wider and more road-hugging than the Barracudas from the 1960s.
THE NAME GAME
”’Cuda.” Of course it’s short for “Barracuda” and these were performance cars, with 340, 484, 440 and HEMI being the available powerplants. Technically, a 1970 ’Cuda with the HEMI engine was labeled “hemicuda” as seen here on the sides of the Shaker.
N96 “SHAKER” hood was standard on any HEMI engine-powered ’Cuda car, optional on the other ’Cuda 440-6 engined cars (1970). ’Cuda package included hood pins with lanyards.
G36 Color-Keyed Mirrors part of the package on this car: manual mirror on passenger’s side, remote on driver’s side.
DIE-CAST MADE OF THIS CAR!
A 1:24 scale die-cast was done in 2008 of this rare fish by Franklin Mint, it featured more than 200 individual components hand built and finished. Opening hood, doors and decklid, with soft top and boot. Accurately detailed and a prized possession amongst die-cast collectors.
FLAWLESS RESTORATION
The Roger Gibson Restoration process didn’t overlook any portion on the car, right down to the every detail for a 1970 E-body Plymouth. These photos reveal the extreme focus of replicating how the car was originally assembled at the factory.
Check out this factory film clip showing a prototype 1970 ’Cuda from a day in the California sunshine in 1969, at the Orange County International Raceway: