Discover the hidden treasures of a Missouri barn, where a collection of rare 1970 Mopars and Plymouth Cuda Convertibles await their moment in the spotlight. But here's where it gets controversial... These classic cars, rescued from junkyards and left to decay, are not just any ordinary vehicles. They are rare gems from the golden era of automotive history, each with its own unique story to tell. But which one is the most coveted?
The barn's owner has a second barn, and Ryan Brutt of YouTube's 'Auto Archaeology' has just posted a video showcasing even more rare Mopars. This time, the focus is on the Plymouth Cuda and Dodge Challenger, both in poor shape but boasting rare features. The footage begins with a 1970 Plymouth Cuda convertible, not one of the ultra-rare Hemi cars, but still a rare find thanks to its soft top. While Plymouth sold nearly 49,000 Barracudas in 1970, only 2,501 were ordered as convertibles, making this Mopar a true high-performance Cuda vehicle and one of only 548 units produced.
The second Cuda is not quite as rare, but it's still desirable due to its AAR specifications. The AAR Cuda was developed to homologate the pony car for the SCCA Trans-Am series, and only 2,724 units were sold during the 1970 model year. This particular AAR Cuda is one of 1,604 automatic cars and is painted in a high-impact Sassy Grass green. The Mopar is incomplete and in poor condition, but it's still a sought-after find.
The third Cuda parked in the barn has an even more desirable 440-cubic-inch Six-Barrel V8 engine, rated at 390 horsepower. Plymouth sold 1,784 examples of this high-performance mill, and this one is one of 919 cars equipped with the four-speed manual gearbox. Originally finished in DY3 Yellow Gold, the Cuda is a plain jane car except for the Shaker hood, according to the owner. Its condition? Well, just like the other Cudas, it's incomplete and rough.
The fourth car, a 1970 Dodge Challenger, was also born with the six-barrel 440-cubic-inch V8 engine. Dodge called these cars Six-Packs and sold 2,035 units. Of these, 1,640 were two-door hardtops, 99 were convertibles, and 296 were SE cars. The owner doesn't share transmission details, so it's unclear if it's one of 793 automatic cars or one of 847 four-speed manual models. The Challenger sports one of the most sought-after color combos: Plum Crazy exterior with a white vinyl top and interior. Our host says that the car was sold after he visited the barn. Hopefully, it's on its way to a proper restoration.
But here's the catch: these cars are not just rare; they are in rough shape. According to the current owners, some were wrecked and parked in 1978, while others were rescued from junkyards. It's a delicate balance between preserving these automotive treasures and recognizing that restoring them after nearly 50 years off the road may not be worth the effort. What do you think? Should these cars be restored, or is their rarity enough to warrant keeping them as they are?
