Above Legend has it that the original owner of this '70 'Cuda lost his life during a robbery involving the car. This month Tim Ross of Mississippi shares how he finally tracked down this low-mileage 'Cuda.
What's that hiding behind...
What's that hiding behind the shrubbery? How about an original, numbers-matching, big-block '70 Cuda. Tim Ross of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, heard rumors about this car, and finally tracked it down, thanks to some help from a friend of his son-in-law. See, in-laws are good for something!
Everyone loves a mystery, and for years there was a legend around the area where Tim Ross lives about a numbers-matching big-block '70 Plymouth 'Cuda rumored to be stored nearby. The story went that the original owner lived in Los Angeles, California, and bought the Plymouth at a local dealership. Sometime in 1970 the man was killed during a robbery and the car was stolen, but the case was quickly solved. At the resolution of the legal proceedings, the car was returned to the owner's widow, and she moved back to Mississippi where her family lived.
There are still Mopars out...
There are still Mopars out there waiting to be found, so be sure to follow up on leads and hunt them down like Tim did. We thank Tim for sharing the story of his hidden treasure with the readers of Mopar Muscle.
The Plymouth was driven very little during the '70s, and in the early '80s the 'Cuda simply disappeared and wasn't seen around anymore. Tim says there were several rumors floating around regarding what happened to the car, where it was stored, or if it even existed anymore. None seemed to pan out, and nobody seemed to have an exact location. Tim attempted to follow some leads and find the car back in 2000, but only found dead-ends. Thinking the car might be more local legend than reality, he kept it in the back of his mind and occupied his time with his other Mopars.
The weather has taken its...
The weather has taken its toll, but overall the 'Cuda is a solid piece with a little over 31,000 original miles. Tim plans a restoration and will paint the Plymouth its original red hue.
In 2008, a gentleman walked into Tim's shop looking for Tim's son-in-law, and noticed a '70 Dodge Challenger. Telling Tim he knew where there was a car that looked like the Challenger, he described what Tim says could only be the legendary 'Cuda. Getting an exact location and directions, Tim went searching the next day and found the car in an overgrown, remote storage lot. Talking to the caretaker, Tim was told that the car was not for sale, and they talked about what a shame it was for the car to sit outside. After a week, Tim called and asked if he could cover the car with a tarp, and emphasized he would like to buy it, but was told no again.
The original 383 and all of...
The original 383 and all of the car's original equipment are intact, which will make the restoration that much easier. Though the story of the original owner is tragic, fortunately Tim's persistence will ultimately result in the car being restored in a way that we're sure would make the first owner proud.
Two days later, on a Friday, Tim got the call he was waiting for. The caretaker of the storage lot told him that the woman who owned the car had decided to sell it to him. Evidently impressed that Tim would take the time to cover up a car that wasn't his, she agreed that he should be the new owner and set up an appointment to meet him the following Monday. Taking the day off from work, Tim sealed the deal, and, after 25 years of knowing of the 'Cuda, it was finally sitting in his shop.
Coming from the factory as an original red car with a black vinyl top and red interior, Tim plans to stay with factory colors and appointments during the restoration. Sitting outside for many years, the 'Cuda will need a full restoration, but with just a little over 31,000 miles showing on the odometer the work will pay off. Nearly all of the original parts are still with the car, which will make the job easier, and we look forward to seeing the car when it is finished.