Adhering to its rediscovery just after decades in storage, the 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440 Speedy Transit principle bought for $2.2 million at Mecum’s 2023 Indianapolis auction.
The personalized ‘Cuda is a single of 4 demonstrate cars created for the Rapid Transit System Caravan, an extension of an advert campaign of the exact same identify that toured vehicle reveals and motor vehicle dealerships in 1970 and 1971 advertising and marketing Plymouth’s muscle mass autos. Alongside with the ‘Cuda, the Caravan incorporated customized versions of the Plymouth Duster and Street Runner, plus drag-racing star Don Prudhomme’s Plymouth amusing auto.
1970 Plymouth Barracuda Speedy Transit (image through Mecum Auctions)
Based mostly on the 2nd-generation Plymouth Barracuda that debuted for the 1970 design 12 months (performance styles experienced the name shortened to ‘Cuda), the Speedy Transit Caravan exhibit motor vehicle got a paint plan by Incredibly hot Wheels artist Harry Bradley, with personalized bodywork by Chuck Miller, a Detroit-based mostly automobile builder who experienced earlier won the prestigious Ridler Award in 1968 and built a life-dimensions model of the then-renowned Red Baron warm rod model kit.
For the Plymouth, Miller included mud flaps and established a new nose and a new front pan with break up spoilers—all made from steel. Other modifications involved small-mounted driving lights, customized taillights, aspect pipes, a faux parachute, wheelie bars, and Cragar wheels with broader tires in back again.
1970 Plymouth Barracuda Fast Transit (image through Mecum Auctions)
An early-construct illustration, the ‘Cuda Immediate Transit is run by a 440-cubic-inch V-8, which is thought to be the factory motor, and it inhales by a Shaker hood scoop.
Next the summary of its promotional duties, the demonstrate motor vehicle fell off the radar. It’s imagined to have absent into storage in 1976, and didn’t emerge right until before this 12 months. The auction listing reported it was in mainly authentic condition, with 976 miles on the odometer and the authentic paint. That clarifies the $2.2 million hammer price, which is a great deal even for a ‘Cuda. Then all over again, it is element of Mopar historical past.