Plymouth Barracuda · 1970–1971

Hemi 'Cuda

The 'Cuda with the 425-hp 426 Hemi: 666 built for 1970 and far fewer for 1971, the Hemi's last year in the Barracuda.

The story

The Hemi was an $871 option on the 'Cuda in 1970 (Over-Drive gives $871.45 for cars with the TorqueFlite automatic), against $250 for the 440 Six Barrel.12

For 1970 the Hemi got hydraulic lifters, which made it easier to live with, by Consumer Guide's account.2one source

How to spot a Hemi 'Cuda

Shaker hood as standard

Every Hemi 'Cuda had the shaker scoop; on other 'Cudas it was an option.12

Dana 60 with the four-speed

Four-speed cars got the heavy Dana 60 rear axle as standard; with the automatic it was an option, by Wikipedia's account. Consumer Guide says both transmissions came with the Dana.23

F60x15 tires (1970)

The only cars with F60x15 tires; 15-inch wheels were an option on other 'Cudas, and the AAR 'Cuda had its own E60 and G60 tires.12

Production by year

How many Hemi 'Cudas were built each model year.

1970
666
1971
114open ruling
As a table, with notes
YearBuiltNote
197066624652 hardtops and 14 convertibles, by Consumer Guide and plymouthbarracuda.net alike. Ruling
1971114 (open ruling)356plymouthbarracuda.net's figures: 107 hardtops and 7 convertibles (our sums). Hagerty counts 11 convertibles and Wikipedia 13. Hagerty and plymouthbarracuda.net agree that two of the convertibles had four-speeds. Ruling

Engines

The letter is the engine code in the VIN.

YearsCodeEngineRated
1970–1971R426 cu in Hemi V8, two 4-barrels425 hp (1971: 425 gross, 350 net)123

Where the sources disagree

Every conflict behind the figures on this page. All rulings.

Settled

How many 1970 Hemi 'Cudas

Our ruling: 666: 652 hardtops and 14 convertibles. Consumer Guide and plymouthbarracuda.net agree, the latter split by transmission (our sums), and no source contradicts them. Their Hemi figures match car for car, so the two may share an origin.

What each source says (2)
  • 652 hardtops and 14 convertibles; 666 in all2one source
  • 284 and 368 hardtops, 5 and 9 convertibles (4-speed and automatic): 666 (our sum)4one source

Open

How many 1971 Hemi 'Cudas

Our ruling: Unresolved. Only plymouthbarracuda.net counts the hardtops (107, our sum). For the convertibles we have three figures, 7, 11 and 13; Wikipedia's «seven sold domestically» may be where the 7 comes from, but no source says so. Hagerty and plymouthbarracuda.net agree that two convertibles had four-speeds, which supports none of the totals.

What each source says (3)
  • 59 and 48 hardtops, 2 and 5 convertibles (4-speed and automatic): 114, 7 of them convertibles (our sums)5one source
  • 11 convertibles6one source
  • 13 convertibles, seven of them sold in the United States3one source

Sources

  1. 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Fact Sheet Over-Drive Magazine · read 2026-10-11
  2. 1970 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda HowStuffWorks (Consumer Guide Automotive) · read 2026-10-11
  3. Plymouth Barracuda Wikipedia · read 2026-10-11
  4. 1970 Barracuda production totals PlymouthBarracuda.net · read 2026-10-11
  5. 1971 Barracuda production totals PlymouthBarracuda.net · read 2026-10-11
  6. The 7 rarest Hemi muscle cars Hagerty · read 2026-10-11

Year by year

The Hemi 'Cuda in each model year.

1970Plymouth BarracudaThe all-new E-body Barracuda: hardtop or convertible, as a Barracuda, a Gran Coupe or a 'Cuda, with engines from a 198 six to the 426 Hemi, and 55,499 built by Consumer Guide's count.55,499 built (disputed)1971Plymouth BarracudaThe second year: dual headlights, a new grille, gills on the 'Cuda's fenders, a low-priced coupe, and production down to 18,690 by Consumer Guide's count.18,690 built (disputed)