Produced for only two model years, the Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda is among the rarest and most desirable classic Mopars. And with fewer than 800 units out there, it’s also among the most expensive rigs from the golden muscle car era.
Although Plymouth built a few HEMI-powered factory dragsters in 1968, the Barracuda didn’t get the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) V8 as a regular option until 1970. That’s when Plymouth introduced the third-generation model on the then-new E-body platform.
The company sold nearly 49,000 units that year, but only 666 customers ordered the 426 HEMI. The engine was rather expensive, and insurance rates weren’t exactly affordable either. In 1971, total sales dropped to nearly 16,500 examples and just 114 HEMI ‘Cudas.
When Plymouth dropped the HEMI for the 1972 model year, only 780 Barracudas were fitted with the range-topping engine. That’s only 1.2% of the total production for 1970 and 1971. Not surprisingly, well-maintained HEMI Cudas are worth six-figure sums nowadays, but some have crossed the auction block for more than $1 million.
The convertible versions are usually the most expensive because they’re notably rarer. Of the 780 HEMI ‘Cudas sold in the US, only 21 were ordered with a soft top. Fourteen were delivered in 1970, and just seven were sold in 1971.
The latter is obviously the most expensive of the bunch. In 2014, one of the only seven 1971 HEMI ‘Cuda Convertibles changed hands for a whopping $3.8 million. Two years later, another drop-top went under the hammer for $2.5 million. In 2021, one of these rare ‘Cudas failed to sell despite a high bid of $4.8 million. Yup, these rigs are getting increasingly more expensive and will soon end up sitting pretty high on the “most expensive American classics” list.
The 1970 version, produced in 14 units, is not quite as pricey, but it has gone beyond the $2 million mark. A pristine Lemon Twist example went under the hammer in January 2024 and found a new owner for $2.14 million (including fees). The car was expected to fetch between $2.5 and $3 million, but the selling price was enough to set a new record for the 1970 Barracuda.
But the owner didn’t hang onto the HEMI ‘Cuda very long. The drop-top resurfaced with a $2.57-million sticker only a month later. The Mopar was eventually listed at Mecum’s Monterey 2024 auction and went under the hammer on August 17. This time around, the gavel fell at $2.53 million, a $400K increase in just seven months. That’s a new record for a 1970 ‘Cuda and a price that makes this Lemon Twist drop-top the second most expensive Barracuda ever auctioned.
Restored to perfection by Legendary Motorcar of Ontario, Canada, this HEMI ‘Cuda packs a numbers-matching drivetrain and retains most of its original components. The HEMI relies on a three-speed automatic to spin the rear wheels, making this vehicle one of nine equipped with this drivetrain combo. It’s also one of only three 1970 HEMI ‘Cudas built for the Canadian market. It’s also the only example ordered in FY1 Lemon Twist with a H6T5 Tan interior.
Like most million-dollar muscle cars, the Mopar comes with two broadcast sheets, an Elite Report by Chrysler expert Dave Wise, and a documented ownership history. It’s a holy-grail type of classic, just like the 1969 Dodge HEMI Charger Daytona that sold for $3.3 million at the same event.