The China Mail - Rare 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 426 Hemi Listed for $400,000

A 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda equipped with the highly sought-after 426 Hemi engine has been listed for sale, carrying an asking price of USD$400,000 (approximately CAD$560,000). The vehicle is being offered through John Scotti Luxury Prestige in Kirkland, Quebec, and is presented as one of the most significant examples of American muscle car engineering available on the market.

The car is described as a "numbers-matching" original, meaning its engine, transmission, and other major components correspond to the factory specifications recorded for this specific vehicle. It features a four-speed manual transmission with a pistol-grip shifter and an N96 shaker hood, which was standard on the ‘Cuda but not on the Challenger model. The exterior is finished in FF4 Lime Green Metallic, a color applied to only about 7 percent of all 1970 ‘Cudas produced.

Plymouth manufactured just 666 Hemi ‘Cudas for the 1970 model year. Given the rarity of the specific paint color, automotive experts estimate that fewer than 50 examples of this particular configuration exist today. The vehicle’s VIN is BS23R0B376069.

Beyond its mechanical rarity, the car carries a unique provenance claim: it is one of only three ‘Cudas imported by Chrysler of France for use in its newly formed racing division. In early 1970, Henri Chemin, who had previously campaigned Ford Mustangs at Ford France, left to lead Chrysler of France’s racing efforts. Chemin reportedly viewed winning over European audiences as a mission, even participating in races himself.

Chemin imported these vehicles directly to Europe, where they competed in Group 1 and Group A touring car events. The cars achieved significant success, securing dozens of podium finishes, multiple French Group 1 Circuit and Hillclimb Championships, and 60 verified race wins. While documentation confirms this specific vehicle bears the Chrysler of France fender tag, it remains unclear whether it actually competed in these events.

The ‘Cuda is currently in pristine, showroom-condition stock form, showing no signs of racing livery, stripes, or damage. It has accumulated only 3,685 miles since new. This contrasts with other known Chrysler of France ‘Cudas, which were often modified for competition and later restored. The vehicle’s lack of wear suggests it may have been preserved rather than raced, although the frequent swapping of liveries and license plates among the racing fleet makes definitive tracking difficult.

The car retains its original specifications, including hockey stick side graphics, a black leather interior, and Goodyear Polyglas GT tires. Chrysler originally rated the 426 cubic-inch (7.0-liter) Hemi V8 at 425 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 490 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Independent analysis suggests actual crank horsepower likely fell between 470 and 500.

The listing highlights the car as a definitive example of the "horsepower wars" era, noting that while Chrysler had previously experimented with placing race-bred Hemi engines in street cars, the introduction of the E-Body chassis in 1970 allowed for the installation of the full-size V8 in its pony car competitors. The vehicle is marketed as a piece of automotive history that avoids the typical wear associated with high-performance classics.

The asking price reflects both the mechanical rarity and the historical significance of the E-Body platform. While the original market for such vehicles included younger buyers, current valuations place these cars firmly in the collector investment category. The listing does not include a warranty or guarantee regarding the racing provenance, relying instead on the fender tag documentation and the vehicle's condition to support its value.

R.Lin--ThChM