{"id":73629,"date":"2023-10-27T09:00:41","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T13:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dodgegarage.com\/news-api\/?p=73629"},"modified":"2024-03-25T11:19:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T15:19:23","slug":"historical-hemi-cuda-magazine-test-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/heritage\/2023\/10\/historical-hemi-cuda-magazine-test-car.html","title":{"rendered":"Historical HEMI®<\/sup> \u2019Cuda Magazine Test Car!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

— First HEMI\u00ae<\/sup> \u2019Cuda Convertible built
— Only 9 such automatic-equipped HEMI engine-powered 1970 \u2019Cuda convertibles built
— “FE5” Red paint used on Shaker scoop, as per factory procedure <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This \u2019Cuda droptop was built as a \u201cPublic Relations Car\u201d and was shipped from the Hamtramck assembly plant directly to Chrysler\u2019s East Coast press fleet facility located in New York, the exact address (323 East 44th Street) was printed on the original window sticker. Options included the 426-cid, 425-horsepower HEMI engine (E74), TorqueFlite\u00ae<\/sup> automatic transmission (D34), Super Performance Axle Package (A32) 4.10 gear ratio, Rallye Wheels (W21), Elastomeric F&R Bumper Group (A22), Power Convertible Top Lift (P37), Multiplex AM\/FM Radio (R35), 3-Spoke Rim Blow Steering Wheel (S83), Power Steering (S77) and Comfort Position 6 Way Seat Adjuster (C62), Center Console (C16), Rallye Instrument Group (A62), Light Group (A01), Deluxe Seat Belts (C15), Color Keyed Floor Mats (C92), 50-Amp Alternator (F11), Tinted Windshield (G15) and Undercoating (J55). All totaled, it was a $5,710.70 car. (Note: Shaker Hood [N96] was not an option on the car, the fresh-air system was standard equipment with the HEMI engine was ordered.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRESS CAR TO SHOW THE MASSES NEW E-BODY PLYMOUTH<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Obviously, this \u2019Cuda was no stripped-down test car built just for quick times on the track; it was a fully equipped car with lots of \u201cfluff.\u201d Being a press car, it was a special automobile from the get-go (and has \u201cCompany Car\u201d notation on window sticker), plus research indicates that this car \u2014 with its scheduled build date of September 23, 1969 \u2014 is the very first <\/em>HEMI engine-powered \u2019Cuda convertible ever built. With just nine TorqueFlite HEMI 1970 \u2019Cuda convertibles ever built, it adds to the rarity. Yeah, this is a very <\/em>special car! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magazine press cars were used to provide editors with feature vehicles and the factories were all too happy to get these high-performance cars into the pages of the publications, as it was a great way to get their message out to the masses. This Rallye Red (code FE5) 1970 Plymouth \u2019Cuda convertible really made the rounds in the magazines, it was a way to gather large amounts of free publicity for the new E-body line overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FE5 RED COLOR APPLIED TO SHAKER FROM FACTORY<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The code \u201cFE5\u201d Red paint looks like a natural for the car\nand this color was also used on the Shaker scoop, which is unique as this\nbody-color paint was exclusive to FE5 cars, all others received silver \u201cArgent\u201d\npainted scoops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RED ON RED<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n