Vehicle Description
Chassis No. BS23R0B100010
To the enthusiast who remembers admiring a red Hemi 'Cuda back in
1970, in an advertisement or in pictures at a dealership - this is
the car.
This significant car, known to enthusiasts simply as 0B100010, was
"Job 159," the second 1970 Hemi 'Cuda model built on the first day
of production, and one of the so-called "pilot cars" that were
hand-built before production fully kicked into gear at Hamtramck.
Most significantly, it was used for Plymouth's promotional
materials. It is this car that is illustrated in the sales brochure
for the new "E-body" 'Cuda and in early advertisements. It was also
the star of a dealer promotional film, used to sell salesmen and
buyers alike on the fully redesigned model's new features, as well
as at least two television commercials. These included the
now-famous ad in which the new model's driver is constantly
approached by onlooking fellow drivers, race officials, and
competing motorcyclists, who are all startled by its performance
and ask 'What is it?' - with the final answer being a coolly
delivered, "Plymouth makes it."
The 'Cuda was finished in Rallye Red with black vinyl roof and
black leather front bucket seats and console, and in addition to
the vaunted Hemi V-8 is equipped with automatic transmission, power
steering, "Shaker" hood, Enduro bumpers, dual sport mirrors, fiber
optic front turn signal marker lights, front fog lights, factory
pin-lock hood, "hockey stick" trim stripe, AM radio, clock,
tachometer, and factory chrome exhaust tips.
As an extremely early car the 'Cuda has numerous unusual details,
for instance, a hood Shaker with air inlet grilles painted in
matching color; a tail panel finished in Argent Silver, like the
Barracuda Grand Coupe, rather than the black used on later
production cars; and a slightly longer version of the "hockey
stick" body stripe - all features that have been faithfully
preserved and which serve to instantly identify it to aficionados.
In fact, the restoration work completed seems to have been done
with a light and sensitive hand; there is evidence of rust repair
in the trunk floor, but much of the remaining bodywork appears to
be original, with a nice, honest straight body and an undercarriage
finished in nicely detailed grey primer with the expected areas of
overspray. The engine block is an early "warranty block"
replacement, with the engine and ancillaries fitted in a nicely
detailed bay. Some of the interior upholstery appears to still be
original as well. At the time of cataloging, the car had recorded
72,501 miles.
Undoubtedly one of the most important Hemi 'Cudas, this could also
be considered the best-known, as the example that was probably seen
and admired by more people, in print, than any other when they were
new. It is a singular example in every regard.
Collection Guarantee Disclosure
Please note that as part of a larger collection to be offered at
live and online auctions, the Consignor of the Gateway Collection
has been guaranteed a minimum price for certain cars, including
this Lot, by Broad Arrow. Depending on the final Hammer Price
obtained for those Lots, Broad Arrow may benefit financially.
