The Plymouth ’Cuda first offered the 426 Hemi for the 1970 model year.
The 1970 redesign moved the Barracuda onto Chrysler’s wider E-body platform, creating a larger engine bay that could accommodate Chrysler’s legendary 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8. The high-performance ’Cuda version could be ordered with the Hemi, which was rated at 425 horsepower and 490 pound-feet of torque using the period’s SAE gross rating system.
The redesigned car was no longer closely tied to the Valiant in appearance and was offered as a coupe or convertible. Its performance options included 340, 440, and 426 Hemi engines. Hemi-equipped cars also received upgraded suspension and structural equipment to help manage the engine’s considerable output.
The Hemi remained available for 1971, which can lead to the mistaken belief that 1971 was its introduction year. In fact, 1970 was the first model year. Another confusion comes from the 1969 ’Cuda, which was a performance model but did not yet offer the 426 Hemi. The 1972 lineup dropped Chrysler’s big-block options entirely.