Musclecar Photographs mrays

[Luvchevs]

Originally Posted by cudino

Thanks, very kind of you! As for the unveiling of the '70 Hemicuda Vert at MCACN, Ola took a video which is available on YouTube. Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE_GXHwC0EQ
As for the EL5 car, no, that was originally sold in the US. The two Canadian '71 Hemicuda Verts are the FC7 Purple and the EV2 Orange one.

- Wade

Thanks for the link Wade!
I am really hoping to find a video of when Darryl talked more at MCACN about the history of the car and how he was able to acquire it.
It really shocks me that there was a hemi Ebody vert still in the hands of the original owner.
I am also guessing that this is the most original one?

[mrays]

These two 70 Hemi Cuda verts are unrestored as well. They were at MCACN in '15. They have both been featured in Mopar Collector's Guide.

[Luvchevs]

Interesting that they are all black!
Any links to the articles about this cars?

[cudino]

There are 6 1970 Hemicuda Convertible 4-speeds known to exist:
- Black with Black Leather interior (the one that was just unveiled), survivor
- Black with Tan Leather interior (that Myron posted above), survivor
- Black with Blue Vinyl interior (also posted above), survivor
- Purple with Black Vinyl, restored
- Purple with Black Vinyl, restored
- Yellow with Black Vinyl (Canadian), restored

Because the one is Canadian you'll often see references to a production total of "5", because that's just counting the US shipments. But there's actually 6 in total. International shipment totals are unknown, but to date no '70 Hemicuda 'vert 4speeds for International shipment have surfaced.

All 6 have now been shown at MCACN, 5 were all at the big 2015 show. But the Black/Black one that was just unveiled has been in hiding since 1976, making this MCACN unveiling the first time it has really been seen in public in the modern era. The new owner Darryl did a followup interview at MCACN Saturday afternoon, discussing how he was able to buy the car, but I'm not sure if that was recorded and I only caught the tail end. In any case I'd be happy to share some history, as I was one of many who previously pursued this car to no avail.

The original owner, Warren, lived in Del Rio Texas. As I understand in 1970 he worked as a detail guy at the local Plymouth dealership, and ordered this car new. It remained very original, with only small additions like headers, and in 1976 got put into storage because Warren bought a new LeBaron that he preferred as a daily driver. Turns out the 'Cuda would then sit in storage for the next 40+ years. By the mid 1980s, when these cars were starting to increase in value, people would contact Warren, and a rare few might actually get to see the car, but realistically Warren was never interested in selling. He did, however, keep a logbook of whomever contacted him, and in this a ledger of how much they were offering. Yes, I'm sure in that book. But from my conversations with Warren, and speaking to other people who had tried and failed, I fully expected this car would never be sold while Warren was still alive.

With age and relocation becoming factors, turns out earlier this year Warren and his family decided it was finally time. Because of his stellar reputation they contacted Dave Wise to facilitate a sale. As I understand Dave then contacted Darryl. Knowing that this was a very, very big decision for Warren they went down to Del Rio fully prepared, armed with money, tax experts, trailer, tools, etc. They even brought along spare wheels and tires with different lug patterns in case there had been some swapping. Dave and Darryl were then able to get the job done where so many before had failed, and this awesome car finally traded hands for the first time since it was brand new. This was the first time I was able to see it in person, and it is just as awesome as I expected it to be. Neat story.

- Wade

[Xplantdad]

Thanks again Wade for more of the story/history!

[Luvchevs]

Wade,

Thanks for sharing all the interesting information and stories.
I am surprised this car didn't end up at an auction, who knows what it might have SOLD for?

[mrays]

Wade sent me some information on the other two Sassy Grass 71 Hemi Cudas. The first picture is of the 4 speed car that Kevin Suydam recently purchased. It was restored by Mauro Brocca in Canada. Luvchevs sent him a link to Mauro's website with pictures of the car which is where I got this picture from.

The second picture is the pilot car Wade talked about earlier. He thinks that picture is of it being judged at Mopars at the Strip.

Thanks for the info Wade.

[mrays]

I was at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago and took a number of pictures. All of the sale prices posted are the hammer price before fees. This Tuxedo Black 58 Corvette is a 245 horse car with a Powerglide and 3.36 gears. It was sold new at Danberry's Garage in Ringoes NJ to Raymond Thomas. This car was bid to $150K but didn't sell.

[mrays]

This Tangelo Pearl 59 Corvette was powered by a Magnacharged LS-2 backed by a 4L60E. It also had a C4 suspension and Z06 wheels. It hammered for $175K.

[mrays]

This Tuxedo Black 60 Corvette was advertised as 1 of 119 RPO 687 Heavy Duty Brake cars built that year. This car was built for racing with no radio or heater and 4.11 gears. It was bid to $140K but didn't sell.