If you’re Jay Leno, sometimes jaw-dropping muscle cars just show up at your shop, like this 1967 Hurst Edition Plymouth Barracuda. This former SEMA show car rolled into Jay Leno’s Garage, and with it came the mastermind behind the build, Chris McCollum. If you needed another reason why you kind of want to be Jay Leno, here it is…
Chris McCollum is the Vice President at B&M, the parent company of Hurst. He explains that the car was purpose-built to represent the original Hurst Hemi Cudas which stormed the Nationals and World Finals back in the 1960s and 1970s. Essentially, the car is an ode to the prime of the Cuda, as well as the present day Hurst brand.
Jay reminds us that the Barracuda actually came out two weeks before the Mustang, contributing to why these cars never quite got the credit they deserved. The 1967 is the second body style under the name, and this car is powered by a 500 horsepower 408 small-block and Tremec TKO 600 5-speed. When needed, a 150 shot nitrous kit is in on hand
The suspension on this car has been modernized a bit, with a CalTracs suspension components, and front and rear Hotchkis sway bars. It rolls on Center Line wheels to keep with the tradition of the ’60s/’70s muscle cars. To slow this beast, the front brakes have been upgraded with a SSBC setup.
Overall, this Cuda isn’t heavily modified, but it’s a great example of a mild restomod. After checking it out, it’s time to get Jay’s thoughts from behind the wheel. Right away, he notes that the car has plenty of power and the suspension mods really help with handling. He does point out that the doors and windows are giving off some rattle, probably because the sound-deadening has been removed to lighten it up a bit. While he does point out that it’s nothing like driving a modern car, it’s still a fun car to drive!
Elizabeth is hardcore horsepower enthusiast with unmatched intensity for making things faster and louder. She wakes up for power and performance and only sleeps to charge up for the next project that’s heading to the track. From autocross to drag racing, Elizabeth is there with you, so stay tuned for her unique perspective on horsepower news, builds, tech info, and installs — with her, it’ll never be boring!
