Is the owner crazy for not wanting to let the Mopar go for more than a quarter-million bucks? Well, not really. Golden-era muscle cars have become quite expensive in recent years, and some of the rarer HEMI-equipped Mopars tend to exceed the $250,000 mark.
According to classic.com, the average price for a 1970 Plymouth HEMI Cuda hardtop is $219,308. This figure was obtained by averaging vehicles sold at public auctions since 2020. The Cuda in question didn’t sell for a sum that’s about 18% higher than the average, but I can’t say it’s unusual because this rig has quite a few things to brag about.
For starters, it’s one of only 666 units produced for the 1970 model year. If we also factor in the hardtop body style and the desirable four-speed manual, we’re left with only 284 examples. Unlike other HEMI-powered Mopars that spent a lot of time in storage, this example did not succumb to rust issues.
Kept in dry storage, the HEMI Cuda retained 90% of its original paint, and the original sheet metal soldiered on for more than five decades without any rust. What’s more, it still relies on the numbers-matching 426 HEMI V8 and four-speed automatic transmission.
Although the second listing no longer includes that info, the original ad said the engine “appears to have a higher lift cam.” The new listing also claims low-mileage status, with just 20,612 miles (33,172 km) on the odometer.
Most of these feats recommend the Cuda as a classic worth more than $250,000 to the right people. This puts it in a very exclusive club of fewer than 20 examples that hit that sum (despite the auction ending before the reserve was lifted).
For reference, the most expensive 1970 HEMI Cuda hardtop went under the hammer for a whopping $605,000. And about a handful fetched more than $300,000 at auction in recent years. It will be interesting to see if the Cuda pops back on eBay or if the owner chooses to sell it through a major company like Mecum.
What’s your take on the $259,700 bid? Is it way too much for a golden-era muscle, or should this HEMI change hands for more hard-earned? Let me know in the comments.
