1970 Hemi Cuda, Nic Cage (again), black on black

[LoStHeMi]

https://www.barrett-jackson.com/scottsdale-2025/docket/vehicle/1970-plymouth-hemi-cuda-formerly-owned-by-nicolas-cage-284145

[Brads70]

Sure is a very pretty car!   

[TX9AAR]

How does a small engine fire result in a salvage restored title?

[chris NOS]

that's strange ! i guess it's going to affect the desirability of it ..

[cuda hunter]

BS23R0B184309

This triple-black 1970 Plymouth HEMI 'Cuda is powered by a 426/425hp HEMI engine paired with a 4-speed transmission and a Super Track Pak Dana axle with 4.10 gears. It has been visually inspected and certified by Galen Govier as a matching-numbers car and drivetrain. The engine and transmission were rebuilt and restored, and the car has the correct factory markings, stampings, numbers and dated components. This 'Cuda is registered and documented with the Chrysler Registry to be No. 128 of the 284 1970 HEMI 'Cudas built with 4-speed transmissions. The black vinyl bucket-seat interior features a Rallye instrument cluster and a rim-blow steering wheel. This car rides on Rallye wheels wrapped in Goodyear tires. This car includes past ownership by Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage, from whom the seller purchased the car, and Jack Sharkey, former president of the National HEMI Owners Association. The sale includes three large binders of extensive documentation, including the inspection and certification report of the engine and transmission by Mopar expert Frank Badalson, partners with Roger Gibson.

There are also visual and hands-on inspection reports by Galen Govier, full Fender Tag decoding, original IBM cards with notes found under headliner, owner's manual, owner's documents and receipts, and photos and details of the complete professional concours restoration, as well as full documentation of repairs with receipts and photos in a large binder. Sold on an Arizona restored salvage title due to a small engine fire caused by a faulty float in the rear carburetor that happened in January 2024, less than a few miles after it sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction for $605,000. The fire was contained to the hood and firewall only; quick action from a fire extinguisher saved this HEMI 'Cuda. 66,062 miles since new (title reads exempt). **TITLE BRANDED RESTORED SALVAGE**

[70_440-6Cuda]

how does a small engine fire cause $425K in damage for a total loss and salvage title?  From what I saw, the car sold for $605k in 2024, and for it to be salvage repairs would have to be more than 70% of the value or so... unless it was insured at a value substantially lower or was salvaged prior, makes no sense

not that it matters, too rich for my blood!

[1970 cuda Joe]

how does a small engine fire cause $425K in damage for a total loss and salvage title?  From what I saw, the car sold for $605k in 2024, and for it to be salvage repairs would have to be more than 70% of the value or so... unless it was insured at a value substantially lower or was salvaged prior, makes no sense

not that it matters, too rich for my blood!

From what I heard, the claims adjuster never saw it in person. All was done over the phone with pictures....Joe

[JH27N0B]

The whole thing sure is strange.  So the car had an engine fire shortly after it was purchased for a very high sale price at the auction last year?  How did it end up totaled?  Did the new owner argue that with the damage history, that although it could be repaired, it would have severely diminished value because of the fire, and that's how it ended up with a salvage title because the insurance company paid him for full insured value and took possession of it?
Whatever the case, it certainly does have significantly diminished value now due to the title. If it had a regular title, the value would be much higher now even with the disclosure of an engine fire and subsequent repairs.  I'm not sure the car can even be licensed in some states due to the salvage title?
What a shame as it seems that however this claim was handled damaged the car more than the fire!

[70_440-6Cuda]

Seems pretty sketchy to me!

To be honest, that would be the car I would like to own - dont care about Nic Cage or previous owners, but love the black on black Hemi - although I do prefer the steel wheels with caps over rallye wheels..

[1970 cuda Joe]

Did this car sell & did anybody see the price?....Joe

[dodj]

Seems pretty sketchy to me!

To be honest, that would be the car I would like to own - dont care about Nic Cage or previous owners

When I see cars like this one I wonder why people care who owned it before..but I guess it brings some extra money from some people

[cuda hunter]

Someone who is registered must log on to see the price.

Anyone out there registered to barrett jackson? 

[RUNCHARGER]

I agree: Nice car, the Cage ownership is a detraction for me. Also for me the fire history would be a bonus as it cuts down the value of it even though the car is as nice as new. Still out of my league financially at this time though.
The only ownership that would matter to me is someone like Ronnie Sox, Herb McCandless, Dick Landy etc. Even then though it wouldn't make the car drive any better.

[RzeroB]

Someone who is registered must log on to see the price.

Anyone out there registered to barrett jackson? 

Here you go Josh ...

[cuda hunter]

Wow!  302K.   Wow.   

Thanks @RzeroB