Looks Like This Beast Is Pissed

This is a 1970 Cuda with a Hellcat engine and a 1971 front-end swap. Nothing will ever be able to stop you from fantasizing about Mustangs and Camaros. Barracudas are fascinating designs. Indeed, we recently learned that they are on their way to become the most expensive muscle vehicles ever sold at auction. When people are swapping Hellcats all over the place, it’s hard to resist the impulse to better perfection. You only have one life, so make the car of your dreams.

That is exactly what the owner of this vehicle did. While some may object, we understand why he chose the 1971 face design over the 1970. Some people have attempted to mimic the bold, famous grille shape on the contemporary Challenger.

When speaking about the Challenger, this pro-touring restomod now has a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 with 707 horsepower that comes from a 2016 muscle car. The Plymouth muscle vehicle presented the world to its 7.2-liter engine in 1970, capable of tire squealing with 390 horsepower.

But that’s the 440 Commando V8 from Chrysler. If you want the HEMI label, go for the 7.0-liter engine. The Cuda’s rarity may be due to its race-bred 425 horsepower engine. It was difficult to drive safely, had high insurance costs, and was expensive to purchase at a period when muscle cars were losing favor. It’s funny how the Mopar “Hellephant” 426 supercharged crate HEMI has brought us full circle.

Apparently, this restomod lacks the 1000 horsepower monster, but 707 horsepower is plenty for us. There are obviously other improvements. A Ford 9-inch axle is paired with the fully adjustable rear suspension, and the gearbox is a 4-speed 4L60 Hydra-Matic. Incredibly, every manufacturer’s parts bin will be filled with this Cuda!

It has Wilwood vented and cross-drilled brakes and black 19-inch Ferrada wheels on the outside. The black vinyl top is complemented by window lovers and an SRT rear wing, creating a black-on-satin-black effect.

What about the interior? There are a lot of contemporary Dodge parts in there. We’re not fans of a plastic airbag cover in a 1970 automobile, but AutotopiaLA’s Shawn Davis appears to be.

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