A Popping Pair of 440-Powered Plymouths: Which Would You Pick?

Oh, Plymouth. Depending on the day, you could easily make the case that this is the brand we miss the most in our modern automotive landscape. And sure, it’s mostly because we miss vehicles that would have a hard time making a business case for themselves today, but fortunately there are plenty of older Plymouths on the road to provide a nice helping of nostalgia. Indulge with us.

Let’s play a game. There are currently two killer Plymouths for sale on Hagerty Marketplace that make for a compelling barstool game of would you rather. Both are from the 1970 model year. Both house a 440 cu-in V-8 under the hood with triple two-barrel carburetors. Both come slathered in appropriately loud paint schemes. But we’d reckon that the driving experience for each would be notably different.

Which one are you grabbing the keys to?

1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6 Coupe Four-Speed

When the E-Body Plymouth Barracuda debuted for the 1970 model year, it was an instant hit. Voluptuous body lines, a wide, imposing presence, your choice of multiple venerable V-8s, and plenty of high-impact paint choices meant you could spec the high-performance version of the Barracuda exactly how you’d want it. Although the 426 cu-in Hemi V-8 was the choice for most flat-out racers, the optional 440 “Six Barrel” engine was better for everyday use with an added dash of hot sauce.

This example features a four-speed manual behind that 440, replete with the “pistol grip” shifter. Other notable options include the Super Track Pak option with heavy-duty suspension and a Dana Sure Grip rear axle with 4.10:1 gears. It’s finished in Limelight paint with the black “hockey stick” side stripes and a black vinyl interior.

Now, the listing notes that the engine is a period-correct—but not original—440 V-Code motor, however the listing denoting factory codes shows that it did come originally with a 440 “six barrel” V-8. Also, the listing shares that while the car did come originally with Limelight paint, this example received a respray over 15 years ago.

If you want to let that 440 eat and rip down Broadway enjoying one of Plymouth’s greatest cars of all time, green means go.

1970 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird 440 Six-Barrel

Plymouth lagged Dodge by a year with its winged muscle car, ceding the edge on ovals to Dodge and cross-town Ford, which released it slippery Torino Talledage. And—for a year—Plymouth lost the talents of the inimitable Richard Petty, who for 1969 hopped into the aforementioned Torino. But Plymouth finally got with it in 1970 thanks to the help of Creative Industries, and the Superbird found itself competitive right off the bat, winning the 1970 Daytona 500. The ‘Bird also helped Plymouth score a PR coup in bringing Petty back into the fold.

Sure, changes in NASCAR’s homologation rules between 1969 and 1970 meant that 1920 Superbirds were running around versus far fewer original Charger Daytonas, but these winged wonders are still rare. According to the listing, this one has validation documents confirming that it was the 613th example to roll off the line. While most Superbirds came with the single four-barrel version of the 440, 716 were specced with the “six-barrel” option. Of those, it’s believed that 408 were also optioned with the TorqueFlite automatic.

This well-restored, highly original Superbird features a glovebox and air cleaner autographed by “The King” himself, Richard Petty. The 440 currently has reproduction carburetors and a repro intake manifold installed, but the original ones are offered with the sale. Other noteworthy features include functional vent windows, a competition-type hood, the performance axle package, and more.

So, dear reader: If the hammer prices didn’t matter and you had to pick one to park in your garage, which one are you picking? The Tor Red, aerodynamic hero, or the Limelight Green, fearsome fish? Let us know in the comments below.