How green was my valley? Green means GO! Green with envy. Green around the gills. Ok, laugh if you will at these notions but don’t laugh at the model. It is a historically-based automotive one-of-a-kind. I shouldn’t even have to mention how it will stand out in any collection. Not many 1970 ‘Cudas were made in the overall scheme of production standards; only 18,880 coupes were built. An awful lot less of them were manufactured in Sassy Grass Green. Add the 440 six-pack engine option and it gets rarer by the minute. But only one was factory produced with the Chartreuse Strobe Stripe. Very well documented, the Barrett-Jackson folks sold it off in 2007 with its ‘Cuda auction mate, a Panther Pink 340 cube version complete with a rare Pink Strobe Stripe.
Like Barrett-Jackson, DM did their due diligence in building this one-off creation. They drew from their previously issued 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertible’s high level of model technology and offered this sassy little coupe iteration with internal door hinges, awesome hood scissors hinges and the incredible hood pin and tether feature that makes it so realistic. The tether, clip and hood pin are all one unit. The owner has merely to pull them out to open the hood. They are magnetized to stay in place. Getting them back in the tiny holes is another thing altogether, but suffice to say a magnifying glass and soft plastic tweezers are a huge help. But the outside rearview mirrors, front and rear valance, grille, taillights and antenna are all changed from the drop top car. This green machine even has the proper factory overspray on the belly end of the unitized chassis!
Like the convertible’s, the engine bay on this diecast will leave you breathless. All the correct bells and whistles are in place, paint shades are accurate in depicting the real thing and the aforementioned chassis assembly is detailed to the hilt. And, again, the painting of the suspension parts, drive line, transmission and exhaust lends an air of realization to the model. The trunk detail includes a pygmy spare with proper markings, a jacking sticker and floor mat. Always a forte of detail excellence is the DM interior and once again it’s flawless. The wood on the dash and console is cool and the seat belts and buckles are perfectly done to scale. There are tiny multi-dimensional emblems on the car that look magnificent. “‘Cuda” is spelled out on the rear taillight panel, “Plymouth” adorns the grille insert and “‘Cuda 440-6” on the shaker scoop proclaims what’s underneath the hood.
Those last two renderings are so infinitesimal that a magnifier is really useful and appreciated. DM also got the wheels right and proper licensing allows Good Year™ to be applied to the white lettered tires. The car model is an instant standout no matter where you put it. I have this one next to the convertible Hemi and it beckons anyone entering the room like a beacon of light. About the only place it would be inconspicuous would be on the front lawn and I’m not even sure about that. What I am sure of is that it is another DM knock out!
Engine option info for the 1970 ‘Cuda:
The standard 340 V8 produced 275 bhp @ 5000 rpm with 340 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
The AAR’s 340 6 Pack pumped out 290 bhp @ 5000 rpm with 345 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
The 383 V8 made 335 bhp.
The standard 440 V8 was rated at 375 bhp @ 4600 rpm serving up 480 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
And the 440 with trips brought 390 bhp @ 4600 rpm and 480 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm to the street.
-Tony F Perrone
