1972 Plymouth Cuda Hemi Restomod

Description

The Hemi 'Cuda may very well sit at the top of the muscle car food chain and this stunning 1972 Plymouth 'Cuda HEMI Restomod delivers in every way that matters: loads of power from a built 528 HEMI V8 crate engine topped with dual quads, a 4-speed manual gearbox, custom performance suspension, show-ready Medium Blue paint, and an updated sporty interior. Quite honestly, they just don't get much better than this, and with so few miles on the entire build it's only just begun dominating its peers.

That gorgeous Medium Blue Metallic finish is the first thing that catches the eye, but as one continues to drool all over its many attributes, this 'Cuda keeps getting better and better. Few finishes look better on the venerable E-body than bright blue, and when it's executed to this high level, exactly nobody is going to complain. The paint is basecoat/clearcoat and it looks like gallons after gallons were dumped onto this Mopar, leaving a deep luster that's a little difficult to capture in photos, although it's pretty easy to see the reflection of our showroom in this car's flanks. Every nut-and-bolt was upgraded during this 'no-expense-spared' restoration, and that's 100% Mopar expertly aligned and painted by the pros at Prestige Auto Works. Fans will note that '72 nose is one of Mopar's best designs ever, frequently swapped-in during the construction of later 'Cuda and Challenger restorations, and when coupled with that iconic front grille, chrome bumper, and LED headlights/foglights, the front end of this car is downright scary. The sheetmetal is laser-straight and you can see how exacting the panel alignment is in the photos, and with all that real estate on the quarters, you know it had to be 100% right. We gave it a 9.5/10 because nothing in this world is perfect, but we honestly couldn't find any imperfections short of some light blemishes around the license plate. It's just that darn nice. The Shaker hood previews the monster that lies underneath, and it was painted gray to match the grille inserts and fiberglass rear spoiler – all of which contrast the vivid blue perfectly. Black HEMI hockey-stick decals lick the rear quarters and warn off any pesky challengers (and Challengers, for that matter), and we love that this hardtop has a slick-roof, rather than the vinyl roofs so many of these Plymouths were born with. Chrome bumpers fore and aft, stainless glass surrounds, shiny door handles, and oversized rolling stock were all installed to lift the curb appeal to otherworldly territory, and the stance is so aggressive you'd think it might take a swing at you when you walk by.

At first glance, the interior might look mostly stock, but once you're behind the wheel you'll realize that a few choice upgrades have vastly improved things inside. High-back buckets are wrapped in period-perfect Parchment vinyl with pleated inserts, and the aftermarket billet steering wheel is slightly smaller than stock and feels great in the hands in the driver, with the pistol-grip shifter serving as a perfect dance partner. The dash was fully restored by Just Dash in California, and the door panels (complete with 'Cuda badges) were expertly matched, while the stock gauges inside the woodgrain bezel keep a close eye on the Hemi beast under the hood. New carpets, 'Cuda floormats, a taut headliner, and virtually untouched backseat all give the car a fresh, beautiful look that's close enough to original that even the snobbiest of enthusiasts can feel comfortable inside. A Vintage Air HVAC system was seamlessly integrated underneath the dash and blows cold A/C throughout the cabin, racing seatbelts were added up front, and even the truck was finished to show-quality standards – which is a good thing because it's already used to carrying trophies.

The engine is a snarling Mopar Performance crate 528 HEMI V8 that's been built for battle, so if you've been longing for a 'Cuda that can accelerate like a rocket, this one fits the bill. Built by Rick Cassel, a legendary builder who also used to be 'Fast' Jack Beckman's NHRA Funny Car crew chief, it was Dyno-rated at 518 horsepower to the rear wheels and offers the neck-snapping acceleration and top-end speed the Hemi carved its reputation on. The engine was built for combat and features dual Holley 4-barrel 650CFM carburetors up top, aluminum heads, a full MSD ignition, and ceramic-coated equal-length headers that add up to huge horsepower and torque production. Yeah, it's nasty. With the curb weight of a small block it handles exceptionally well and it cackles and snarls thanks to a custom X-pipe dual exhaust system that exits at the sides. And while you're looking around under there, check out the new floors, which are as beautifully finished as the bodywork, along with the fully upgraded suspension with performance components everywhere you look. Wilwood 4-wheel disc brakes stop the car on a dime, power rack-and-pinion steering flicks the car in and out of corners with ease, and QA1 coilovers at each corner help set the killer stance. The Mopar 4-speed gearbox shifts quickly and powers a Strange Engineering Dana 60 rear end filled with 3.54 gears that handles all that added power with ease. Staggered Foose 'Monterey' wheels are modern and flashy but don't detract from the vintage feel of this restomod, and they carry 225/40/18 front and 275/35/20 rear Nitto performance radials that stick to the ground.

We couldn't cover everything in this INSANE build, so give us a call and we'll fill in the gaps. Just know that this is a no-compromises 'Cuda that's ready to show-or-go today, missing nothing but a new owner. Call now!