In 1970, Plymouth’s line of affordable muscle cars had blossomed into the Rapid Transit System, a group of performance vehicles consisting of the Road Runner, GTX, Barracuda (‘Cuda), Sport Fury GT, and Duster 340. Out of the 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda run of muscle cars, just 4 were part of the Rapid Transit System Caravan traveling road show cars, and recently, one of them was sold at the Mecum auction this month. Nothing was changed on the vehicle, and it was in exquisite condition, with just 967 miles on the odometer.
1970 Plymouth Barracuda Rapid Transit Show Car: Details
Given the exquisite condition of this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda, it’s safe to assume that it would sell for a hefty sum at the auction, especially when it has no reserve, and sure enough, it did. A video posted on the MotorTrend Channel on YouTube showcases the car rolling onto the podium, along with a spokesperson talking about the vehicle. We also get some lovely close-up visuals of the condition, which appears to be missing some paint, but otherwise, it’s difficult to tell that the car is over 50 years old. Starting at $100,000, the bids were already rising quickly, and in the matter of just a few minutes, the final hammer price for the car went to $2 million, but the bid to get there was intense as two individuals battled it out to get their hands on this ultra-rare muscle car.
This particular car was designed by Harry Bradley, who also designed Hot Wheels, and it’s visible that the car shares many similarities with those collector’s cars, especially with the bright colors and decal lines that compliment the design. Unfortunately, according to MotorTrend, the 1970 generation Plymouth ‘Cuda had a short life span as production ended after 1974. Plymouth tried to develop a more aerodynamically sleek ‘Cuda for 1975, but the feedback could have been stronger, so the platform died out before production could even begin.
Ultimately, that might be why these cars are so legendary, as they hold onto the legacy of the muscle car wars during their height with the boxy design, extreme power, and devilish good looks that are worth a lot, especially when it’s part of the Rapid Transit System.
