A new owner has the benefit of hindsight when considering the purchase of a classic automobile. For instance, the car here came off the assembly line as a factory 383 Cuda model, Plymouth’s entry-level performance E–Body. This meant the car got more sporty equipment as part of its original packaging. As years have gone on, the 383 has remained a stellar part of Chrysler’s V-8 engine heritage, but the desire for more also made this Mopar a great starting point in building to better-then-OEM status using the more notorious Gen 2 Hemi V-8.
However, note that it didn’t say “426” above, as this example is currently equipped with a Ray Barton-built 528 CI Hemi V-8 engine. Barton, best known as the builder of record-setting NHRA Super Stock engines, tailored this package for the street. There are hemispherical cylinder heads fed by inline dual Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetors, which now reside beneath a factory-design Shaker scoop. There is a hydraulic camshaft plus large-primary headers ending in dual exhaust tips. In keeping with the theme of performance, this dyno-tested engine sends its power to a 4-speed manual transmission still stirred with a Hurst Pistol Grip. There are also disc brakes working in conjunction with a Wilwood master cylinder.
Outside, this car is redone in orange with a black vinyl top and black “Hemi” 1971-type billboard stripes, plus the Cuda fender “gills,” lower rocker trim, Shaker hood “Hemi’cuda” tags, body-matched sport mirrors and J45 hold-down pins. The interior is also in black and features high-back bucket seats, a center console with wood–grain applique, a podded dash cluster, radio, the dyno sheet taped inside the passenger side window and driver’s side mirror remote. Further details include the spare tire with a filler bottle in the trunk and Rallye wheels wearing Goodyear Polyglas GT raised white letter tires. With the trademark ’71 model grille color-matched to the body and increased power, in hindsight this car is quite possibly even better than what could have been bought back in 1971.
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