Editor’s note: This is the first in a 30-day sponsored series featuring cars to be sold January 14-22 during Barrett-Jackson’s 46th Scottsdale auction.
Offered with a reserve during the 46th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, this 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda is one of only 14 Hemi convertibles built. But it’s even more rare because of its “triple black” coloring and racing provenance.
Initially sold in Marietta, Georgia, the car was street-driven until it was repossessed. The Bowers brothers then purchased the car and, with the help of friend Stewart Way, the ‘Cuda was turned into a race car by Barnett Automotive and was raced as a ’71 model, which gave it a more favorable weight factor on the drag strip.
Interior view of the CudaAfter being purchased by Steve Bagwell, the car underwent an expensive custom paint job and was driven in competitoin by Terry Earwood, setting a national record and winning 27 eliminator events, including the SS Eliminator title at the NHRA’s U.S. Nationals in 1973.
The car set national records for ET and mph in both NHRA and IHRA competiton.
Sometime later, the car was sold and ultimately disappeared until it was discovered high and dry in Taos, New Mexico, in the 1980s.
It has been in its current ownership for about 15 years and has a date-code-correct replacement engine (that’s been re-stamped) and an automatic transmission.
For more information on 46th annual Scottsdale Auction, visit the Barrett-Jackson website.
