The Rarest Factory Mopar Of The Muscle Era Isn’t A Hemi Cuda
When enthusiasts discuss the rarest Mopars of the muscle car era, the conversation usually turns to Hemi-powered Plymouths and Dodges. Their massive engines, aggressive styling, and tiny production numbers have made them some of America’s most valuable collector cars. However, Chrysler built something even more unusual in 1970. It had a big-block V8, a massive body, luxury features, and a connection to one of drag racing’s biggest personalities. But chances are you’ve never even heard of it.
The Hemi ‘Cuda Set The Standard For Rare Mopar Muscle
Few American muscle cars have achieved the legendary status of the 1970–1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda. Its reputation starts with the mighty 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8, officially rated at 425 horsepower. Buyers could pair it with a four-speed manual or a TorqueFlite automatic for serious drag-strip performance. The Hemi also carried a steep price premium, keeping production numbers remarkably low. Today, that combination of power, racing heritage, and scarcity makes original Hemi ‘Cudas especially desirable.
The 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible represents the peak of that exclusivity. Just seven examples were built for the U.S. market, while export production brings the commonly accepted worldwide total to approximately 11. That makes it one of the most coveted factory muscle cars ever produced, but Chrysler created another high-performance convertible during the same period with an even smaller documented production count.
Chrysler’s Most Unlikely Muscle Car Came From A Luxury Flagship
By 1970, Chrysler faced an interesting challenge. Plymouth and Dodge already offered plenty of muscle cars, but the Chrysler brand catered to buyers who preferred comfort, prestige, and generous interior space. The full-size 300 represented that philosophy perfectly. Chrysler saw an opportunity to give the massive coupe a stronger performance identity. Rather than developing an entirely new vehicle, the company partnered with Hurst Performance to create a special edition aimed at muscle car enthusiasts.
The 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Convertible Was A One-Of-One Mopar
That partnership produced the 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst, a limited-production luxury muscle car with an extraordinary convertible counterpart. Chrysler and Hurst completed approximately 500 hardtops, although historical accounts disagree on the exact total. The convertible was far more exclusive—only one completed example has firm documentation as an official Hurst promotional vehicle. Factory records reportedly scheduled two convertibles, but no convincing evidence confirms that a second finished car entered service. The surviving example carries a special public-relations order designation and a documented May 5, 1970, scheduled production date. Its rarity makes even the 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible seem relatively common.
The convertible’s main purpose was to carry Linda Vaughn, the famous “Miss Hurst Golden Shifter,” during drag races, parades, and automotive events. Vaughn had become a celebrity among racing fans through her promotional work for Hurst, and to make her more visible, the company fitted the Chrysler with a raised platform behind the passenger compartment and an enormous replica Hurst shifter. Vaughn could stand above the car and greet spectators as it traveled along the track.
Despite its promotional duties, the convertible packed genuine muscle. Chrysler installed its 440-cubic-inch TNT V8, rated at 375 gross horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. A heavy-duty three-speed TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels, while heavy-duty suspension components helped manage the considerable weight. Power front disc brakes provided stopping power.
In the end, it was not a 426 Hemi or a specially developed race engine that earned the car’s place in Mopar history. Its claim to fame came from its unique factory-associated construction and promotional equipment. The big 440 simply ensured it had the performance to match its appearance.
The 440 Muscle Unicorn Had Some Bizarre Luxury Features
At approximately 225 inches long and weighing around 4,800 pounds, the Chrysler 300 Hurst was enormous by muscle car standards. Nevertheless, its performance could surprise smaller competitors. In its August 1970 issue, Car Life tested a 300 Hurst hardtop and recorded a 0–60 mph time of approximately 7.1 seconds, while the quarter-mile took 15.3 seconds at roughly 94 mph, respectable figures for a vehicle approaching two and a half tons. The 440 TNT’s 480 lb-ft of torque helped offset the substantial weight. Keep in mind, those results belong to the tested hardtop and shouldn’t be treated as verified convertible performance, particularly given its different body structure and promotional equipment.
The cabin revealed just how unusual Chrysler’s experiment was. Regular 300 Hurst hardtops featured Saddle Tan leather seating derived from the Imperial LeBaron, with power-operated front bucket seats. The convertible instead received a white interior with black accents, complementing its white folding roof. Air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and a tilt-and-telescoping steering column added to the luxury feel. It also featured an AM/FM radio and power seats for both front occupants.
Perhaps the strangest engineering detail involved the trunk. Hurst fitted the 300 with a special fiberglass decklid and integrated rear spoiler that made a conventional external trunk lock impractical. Instead, the car used a remote release arrangement, including a control inside the glovebox and a backup lever beneath the dashboard. It was an elaborate solution to a problem created by the custom bodywork. The fiberglass hood also featured a prominent scoop, although it served the cabin ventilation system rather than feeding outside air directly into the engine.
A Failed Marketing Partnership Made This Rare Mopar Even More Obscure
Unfortunately, Chrysler’s performance-luxury experiment never achieved the success its creators expected. Early plans reportedly envisioned as many as 2,000 vehicles, but the final production run fell well short. Production totals reflect the program’s limited success. Chrysler documentation supports 485 hardtops, while other historical sources cite figures approaching 501 or 502 vehicles, depending on what they include. Whatever the precise count, the 300 Hurst remained a short-lived experiment rather than the beginning of a lasting performance line. Chrysler never offered the convertible as a regular showroom model, leaving Vaughn’s promotional car as the sole firmly documented completed example.
Source: Chrysler, Hurst, Car Life
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