You remember Steve Juliano? He is the collector (RIP) who tracked down all but one of the surviving members of the Rapid Transit Caravan. That car, a ‘Cuda, was either missing or the owner didn’t want to sell it (Steve tended to be a stickler, never showing all his cards). However, the car was unveiled last week, seeing the light of day for the first time since 1976.
For Brand X fans in need of a refresher, the Plymouth has it Rapid Transit System (RTS) from 1970, a team of performance cars ready to welcome all comers: Duster 340, Road Runner, GTX, ‘Cuda and Sport Fury GT.
For the car show circuit and the Performance Clinics hosted by dealerships and racetracks, a team of unique RTS vehicles were designed to tour the United States. Designed by Harry Bradley (of Hot Wheels fame, among others) and built by Chuck Miller of Styline Customs, the Rapid Transit Caravan was a tan. 1970 Hemi Road Runner, red Duster 340 and a green 440-6 ‘Cuda. By 1971, the Road Runner had been redesigned a new Caravan car was commissionedwhile the Duster 340 was repainted green and the ‘Cuda orange.
After the ‘Cuda was decommissioned, its whereabouts appear to be unknown. However, a gentleman named Tony (the current owner) happened upon it in 1976 in a downtown Detroit store and bought it. Disturbed by the attention the car received, he put it in the garage and, like many projects, nothing came of it. This famous car was hidden in metropolitan Detroit, right under everyone’s noses. Few knew of him, though fewer knew where he was.
Since 1976, the ‘Cuda only saw the light of day for the first time last fall. Remarkably preserved for the conditions, the car shows 967 miles on the odometer. This was the 5thth A Los Angeles factory VIN numbered vehicle from the lineup, the fender tag shows a funky mix of unusual codes more commonly associated with early production Mopars. The V-code ‘Cuda was originally a red press car with a Shaker hood, leather seats, AM/FM radio, and a TorqueFlite automatic with a console-mounted Slapstick shifter. Red can be seen in some places; you can also see the old green custom paint through one of the side mirrors. A funky addition is the small engine in the engine bay that would rock the Shaker hood scoop at shows.
Ryan Brutt, the itinerant “automotive archaeologist” walks through every inch of this very special ‘Cuda in the video below. Of particular note is the interview with Chuck Miller, who waxes poetic about other cars he worked on during the muscle car era.
