[Video] On board a 1970 Hemi Cuda that proves slow cars can sound very good
Anyone familiar with modern Formula 1 cars will understand that not all fast cars sound good. But, as this 1970 Chrysler Plymouth Hemi Cuda proves, slow cars can sound very, very good.
Why are we calling this V8 beast slow? It isn’t, not really, but at the 2019 Spa Classic it was a consistent low placer in qualifying and both races of the event’s Heritage Touring Cup. Around the legendary 4.35-mile track it placed 23rd out of 25 cars in the TC2 class, and 34th of 36 finishers, while in Race 2 it came 24th of 25 cars in its class and 36th out of 37 finishers in total.
But that’s not the point here. The point is the noise. It’s big-block V8 produces, according to Peter Auto, 575 horsepower. It might be a bit of a bus in the corners but on the straights it absolutely flies.
And as proof that the Hemi Cuda isn’t that slow, it saw extensive success across la Manche, with Chrysler France racing them from 1970 until 1973, with one model going on to win four French Group 1 class championships – three on track and one in hill-climbing. As the slogan went, 'Made in America, championed in France'.