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A concept car from the peak of the muscle car era has resurfaced after decades of hiding, and is up for auction.
The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Rapid Transit was one of four show cars built for the Rapid Transit Systems Caravan, which toured auto shows and car dealerships in 1970 and 1971 promoting the Plymouth muscle car. Kept for more than 50 years, it’s scheduled to be auctioned off by Mecum in Indianapolis in May.
Launched as part of the Plymouth Rapid Transit System advertising campaign period, the Rapid Transit System Caravan includes the Duster, the Road Runner, Plymouth drag racing star Don Prudhomme’s cute car, and this Barracuda, customized for the tour.
The paint scheme designed by Hot Wheels artist Harry Bradley was laid over modified bodywork by Chuck Miller, a Detroit-based custom car maker who won the prestigious Rider Award in 1968, and had built a life-size version of the then-famous Red Baron. hot rod model kit before being brought to fit Plymouth.
Working with steel, Miller fabricated the new nose from four identical angled sections welded into a single insert, as per the auction listing, as well as a rolled front pan with separate spoiler and low-mounted drive lights. Side pipes, steel mud flaps, fake chutes, special taillights and wheel spokes were also added, along with wider tires and Cragar wheels.
An early build example, the Barracuda had a 440 cubic inch V-8 that is believed to be an abandoned engine. This more powerful engine, which inhales through a Shaker hood scoop, would have been rated ‘Cuda Nomenclature’ in the past. Plymouth began using the name ‘Cuda to denote a performance version of the Barracuda when this generation was introduced in 1969.
Following the end of his promotional stint, ‘Customized Cuda’ fell off the radar. According to the Auto Archeology YouTube channel, the car was stored in 1976, and remained under wraps until earlier this year. It’s in good condition for such a relic, showing only 967 miles on the odometer and still wearing its original paint, according to the auction listing.
Barracudas are some of the most desirable muscle cars today. Another 1970 example is claimed to be the first Hemi Barracuda to be offered for sale earlier this year for an asking price of $2.2 million. So this famous one-off can earn a lot of money when it goes through the auction block.
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