70 HEMI 'CUDA " THE MOST SAUGHT AFTER OF ALL !! "

From 1966-71, Dodge stuffed their massive Hemi into the small E-Body platform and the 1970 Hemi 'Cuda is widely accepted as one of the most saught after of these. Only 652 were built when new, including 14 rare convertibles, making an original Hemi 'Cuda a rare sight. The Hemi 'Cuda was forced in scarcity due to the extra $900 it cost to build one-nearly a third of the standard purchase price. At $250, the 390 bhp 440 V8 became the norm and made the Hemi Cuda an exception. Motor Trend tested the 426 Hemi ’Cuda in their May 1970 issue, reaching 0-60 in 5.8 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 14 seconds at 102 mph. The long list of options made available for 1970 Barracudas included such goodies as a Track Pak with a 3.54:1 differential ratio, Rallye wheels, a range of exciting colors including Plum Crazy, pistol grip shifters, hockey stick sport stripes, hood pins and a variety of creature comforts. Of all the options, the R-code steet Hemi 426 was the most legendary Mopar engine. It typically delivered 425 bhp through the solid 727 Torqueflight automatic and a 3.55:1 Sure Grip rear axle. That is, unless the car was one of the 284 that got a 4-speed manual. With their classic shape, tire-shredding American power, limited production and huge popularity a 1970 Hemi 'Cuda can easily fetch over $150 000 USD. This is a remarkable amount for a car with the same build quailty as a mass-produced Plymouth. However, the aggressive sound of Hemi combined with visual street cred and Barrett-Jackson publicity now make these Cudas more expensive than most Ferraris produced in the same era. Changes for 1971 were minimal and included a more complex 6 inlet grille design and fender gill louvers. Only 100 or so of these were built and the seven ultra-rare 1971 convertibles are the most expensive muscle cars money can buy. In 72, the government and EPA kicked the muscle car in the ass with emissions regulations. After that time, no more Hemi or more big block models could be ordered

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

All about me.


Hi my name is Rob Holgate have lived in Calgary Alberta most all of my life and have been a car guy since as long as I can
remember not quite old enough to enjoy the muscle car era of the 60's but still remember going to car dealerships and sitting in
some of the finest American Muscle ever built and dreaming of the day when I could enjoy owning one of these legends and some of the most
collectible vehilces ever produced I remember friends having some of the rarest Chevelle's, Nova's, Camaro's and other gems of the time but back in the 70's
no one new how the value of these cars would sky rockets into the some of most expensive vehicle being sold in such places like Barret Jackson
auctions etc., like i said most of my buddies cars were turned into race cars used up then ended up for parts in some wreckers yard.
I have owned a few toys over the years but my passion was my very rare 1967 Shelby GT 500 427 c.i side oiler one of only 50 that were sold as a dealer
installed option back in the day, I did a complete ground up restoration in the 80's and owned it for some 16 years it won many awards in World of Wheels shows
in Calgary and area. I currently own a 1969 Camaro RS which has been updated with new suspension, brakes etc. and it will be going thru some major changes over the next
year or so. I will be posting the build of the Camaro and be giving weekly updates as we proceed so stay tuned until I blog again......

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