In the fall of 1974, Keith Conradt purchased a well-equipped Rallye Red 1973 Plymouth 'Cuda from Red Colligan Chrysler-Plymouth-Dodge in Waupaca, Wisconsin. He was 23 years old, and the 340-powered 'Cuda was his first new car.

For the first year of its life the 'Cuda was a daily driver, but soon thereafter circumstances changed. For one thing, the cost to insure a muscle car had turned into a financial concern. Being a male driver under the age of 25 put Keith in the high-risk category, which meant higher insurance costs to own a muscle car. And then there were the Wisconsin winters. Not only were they a driving nightmare, but the effects of the salted roads on sheetmetal could be catastrophic, especially during the 1970s, when corrosion protection wasn't a priority among automakers.

Keith decided to start storing his car for the winter, which turned out to be the first step in preserving it for the years to come. The 'Cuda became a summertime driver, only taken out for occasional cruising and local car shows. In 1975 he and future wife Barb went on their first date. The 'Cuda served as a cool way to make an impression on a young lady.

In 1979 they were married, and the car remained an important part of their lives. Important, too, to their children, Kari and Kyle, as the car has been a companion for them since day one.

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The car has been significant to another person, too. When Keith bought the car, it was prepped at the dealership by Nick Blohm. He took a liking to the car and went the extra mile while prepping it for delivery. Keith met Nick when he took delivery, and from that day forward Nick has been the primary person to service and maintain the car, keeping the 240-horse 340 and four-speed transmission operating like new for more than 40 years. As you would imagine, a bond developed between car and mechanic over that time.

Having one dedicated, lifelong mechanic with a fondness for the car is a key reason it has persevered and continues to perform much like it did the day Keith drove it off the dealership lot in 1974.

In November 1992, Keith passed away suddenly. "He'd been losing weight, and we didn't know why," Barb recalls. "A tumor was found, surgery was performed, and he had a massive blood clot on his lungs." Kari was 8 and Kyle 3 when Keith passed. The death of a husband and father has been hard on the Conradt family. The 'Cuda was his pride and joy. It is the "one big thing" the family has left to hold onto from him.

Barb Conradt is a fifth grade school teacher. She will occasionally drive the 'Cuda to school when the weather is right. She gets a kick out of watching the high school students walk around the car with admiring looks on their faces trying to figure out who the owner is. Once they find out it was driven to school and owned by Ms. Conradt, the students give her the nod. One cool teacher.

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During the past 20 years she has turned the preservation of the paint finish and interior to Tom Mangert. The two have known each other for many years. Earlier in their friendship he detailed automobiles for a living, then in recent years he has dialed it back and only works his craft on select automobiles, with the Conradt 'Cuda being at the top of his list.

Prior to our photo shoot, Nick and Tom worked their magic on the 'Cuda. It performed flawlessly and looked phenomenal. Their efforts took the car to a new level and allowed it to stand tall.

I asked Barb how it felt to see the 'Cuda all done up and standing proud for the photo shoot. She said, "Wow, I was amazed at how it looked and how all eyes were on me as we drove to the photo shoot location."

She has racked up 24,000 miles on the 'Cuda in the past 24 years. The car has around 42,000 miles on the odometer and still has the legs to put you back in your seat.

Barb Conradt plans to do everything possible to keep the 'Cuda in the family well into the future.

At a Glance

1973 Plymouth 'Cuda

Owned by: Barb Conradt, Iola, WI

Restored by: Unrestored, mechanically maintained by Nick Blohm

Engine: 340ci/240hp V-8

Transmission: A-833 heavy duty 4-speed manual

Rearend: Performance axle package with 3.55 gears

Interior: Black vinyl bucket seat

Wheels: 14-inch Rallye

Tires: F70-14 Goodyear Polyglas

Special parts: Original owner, unrestored, 42,000 original miles; factory options include body-side tape stripes, vinyl roof, Rallye gauge cluster, Rallye wheels, AM radio, power steering, and color-keyed outside mirrors

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After buying this 1973 'Cuda new and driving it for a year, Keith Conradt decided to make it a summer-only cruiser, a decision responsible for the car's remarkable original condition today. It has traveled only 42,000 miles since new.

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A very groovy-looking Keith behind the wheel shortly after buying his 'Cuda.

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The Conradts have relied on mechanic Nick Blohm to keep the 'Cuda in top running shape since he prepped the car for delivery when it was new. The 340 shows the patina of four decades, but it will still pin you back in the seat.

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Tom Mangert maintains the 'Cuda's original interior in like-new condition. Keith added the eight-track player and 'Cuda floor mats back in the day.

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The optional Rallye instrument cluster included a tachometer, a 150-mph speedometer, an oil-pressure gauge, and a trip odometer. Note, too, the car has the all-important Pistol Grip shifter.

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Barb Conradt drives the 'Cuda on period-correct wheels and radial tires. For the photo shoot, the service department at Neuville Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep in Waupaca helped mount the correct Goodyear bias-belted tires on Rallye wheels. (The dealer where Keith originally bought the car closed years ago.) Barb still has two of the car's original tires.

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The original F70-14 Goodyear Bias Belted spare tire is in pristine condition. It doesn't look like the tire nor the jack has ever been used or even taken out of the trunk. The tire still holds air.

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When Barb Conradt drives her 'Cuda to work, she is definitely the coolest teacher in school.