From its sparkling paint to its spotless interior and the potent mechanical specifications, there is much to like about this 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda. It is a classic that is guaranteed to command respect wherever it goes, and those viewing it in any environment can’t help but be impressed by its overall condition. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing the ‘Cuda here on eBay in Studio City, California. Are you sitting down? Good, because the seller has set their BIN at $175,000 with the option to make an offer.
Wow! Just…wow! I’ve always felt that Chrysler’s E-Body cousins are among the best-looking cars to emerge in the 1970s. They look bold and aggressive, with a low roofline and bulging flanks. However, when the car in question is a 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda finished in Code B5 True Blue Poly, it’s hard to go wrong. The seller indicates that it has undergone a meticulous restoration, documented in three binders of paperwork and invoices. The results justified the cost and effort, because this Plymouth is simply stunning. The paint has a mirror-like shine, and the tight, consistent gaps across the car suggest the builder focused on fine details. The color-matched grille adds a touch of class, as do the hood scoops, pins, and the “Billboard” stripes. The trim and glass appear perfect, and the ‘Cuda rolls on a set of sparkling Rallye wheels.
As the “Billboard” stripes suggest, lifting this Plymouth’s hood reveals a 383ci V8. That year’s Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 300hp and 410 ft/lbs for this motor, which feeds to an 8¾” rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. The seller confirms that the car retains its numbers-matching drivetrain, although it is worth noting that the Plymouth isn’t totally original. The restoration included a professional engine rebuild, comprising a 0.030″ overbore, a Bob “Mr. 6 Pack” Karakashian camshaft, an Edelbrock RPM Performer intake, FiTech injection, and TTi headers. It would be fair to expect that with such extensive work, this motor should churn out more than it did when it left the line. A new Borgeson power steering pump lightens the driver’s load, while the refreshed rear end benefits from new 3.73 gears. Although the seller supplies no information regarding this ‘Cuda’s mechanical health, I wouldn’t expect anything less than perfection for a car within this price bracket.
One of the most astounding aspects of this ‘Cuda is its interior. The restorer replaced the carpet, visors, and the package tray. Otherwise, this interior is claimed to be original. It features Black trim with optional leather seatcovers, a Rallye dash with a tachometer, splashes of woodgrain, a pistol-grip shifter, and an AM radio. The seller confirms that the tachometer and clock have received new mechanisms to ensure they function correctly, but that the radio is inoperative. Otherwise, this is another aspect of this Plymouth that seems almost beyond criticism. There is no wear, broken plastic, or evidence of deteriorating woodgrain. The sun hasn’t taken a toll on the dash or pad, and there are no signs of abuse or neglect. Of course, I would expect nothing less from a classic of this caliber.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Any classic with a six-figure BIN can never be considered affordable. However, some enthusiasts follow their hearts, not their heads, when they choose a classic to park in their garage. They are willing to pay a princely sum if it means that they will slip behind the wheel of their dream car. The listing statistics reveal that this 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda has generated reasonable interest, but we can only speculate whether that equates to genuine interest or casual fascination. Will it find a new home at the asking price? Common sense says that it probably won’t, but as we know, the one predictable aspect of the classic scene is its unpredictability. Therefore, I won’t rule it out.
Very nice, but well out of the range of my disposable income, LOL!!
GLWTA!! :-)
A friend had a very nice ‘71 Cuda with a 340 and 4-speed back in the mid ‘80s. It didn’t have power steering or brakes, and the clutch pedal had a really long throw and stiff action. It truly drove like a dump truck. But what a beautiful car to look at. One of the best looking pony cars to ever come from Detroit.
Nice care but waayy overpriced. That’s close to 440 six barrel pricing. Heck, a ’70 AAR in this condition would only be around $120K. And some of the mods don’t make sense. If you are changing the intake manifold, at least take the time to paint it engine color. Why go FI anyway on a claimed $175K car? It’s not like you are going to use it everyday to drive the kids to soccer practice. Well, GLWTA.
You read my mind. Judging from what I’ve seen, this price gets you a pristine original hemi car. Not a ‘Cuda, but pretty much any other Mopar with a Hemi. If I’m spending this kind of scratch, it’d better be a 6-pack or Hemi.
I totally agree, 2010C. It’s looking more and more like there is no cure for Barrett-Jacksonitis. What a shame for the hobby. GLWTS.
No idea why these are os desired,1971 was ugly compared to the toned down beautiful 1970.All those gills and crap messed up a pure clean look..blech..Also..WAYYYYY overpriced for a 383 of any year ,the guys been watching too much B-J thinking he has a 440 6-PAK
I agree ThunderRob! I owned a 72 Cuda, and agree the 71 seems too flashy! The other thing is, why is everyone seeming to add the hood pins? I understand this car and some cars came with them, but most didn’t. Timothy collier makes a great point too! Why are so many adding the wing to the trunk when they never came with them? For many, an unrestored and original car is more desirable!
At least no “go” wing stuck on the trunk. Beautiful car.
Better appearance than new, and I was there then. Of course I only ever saw ONE billboard back then, and I thought it was stupid. So did most everyone else.
The price takes any fun that this car was made to generate and removes it from its future. Sad…
When you buy a porcelain doll, you can’t play with it, lest you damage it’s value.
A good bellwether car that will indicate just how soft the market is for so-called “investment grade cars”.
The “investment car” game, for anything except the very top tier stuff (and this is not that) is probably now over, but as the author says, you never know.
it was all built on the very false premise that there would be an endless supply of buyers at the ready to replace the ones paying top-dollar at the moment.
They ran out of buyers.
Im not so sure that the market has run out of “buyers”. It takes two very determined bidders to drive a price up.
Look at this recent sale of a 1971 Dodge Demon on Mecum for $126,500.00!
https://www.mecum.com/lots/1163511/1971-dodge-demon/
Or this 1971 Plymouth Duster that sold for $159,500.00
https://www.autoevolution.com/news/curious-yellow-1971-plymouth-duster-340-sells-for-record-price-227982.html
Once again, both cars present far better than new. I don’t know what it would take for an all original Duster 340 like mine to reach those lofty prices, but I get so much fun running it down the strip that I probably devalue it with every pass.
I’ll readily admit that the very high end, multi-millionaire buyer pool operates very differently than the hobbyist pool. It’s an ego game, as well. The criteria used to establish value are not the same.
I certainly takes cars like those Dusters to play in that game. And maybe this ‘cuda qualifies.
I just see cars where the value is largely in the flawless presentation. If you use them as intended, your going to knock off that presentation premium very quickly. So a lot of these end up in some guys “museum”, never to turn a wheel on the open road again. I fail to see the point, but whatever.
I hope you get top dollar for yours.
looks like it was bought at a mecum auction. Iowa plates the California plates now in California. who knows what’s going on. any way that’s a lot of coin.
Mecum, at what price? That would tell the story, if this is a quick flip attempt.
lots of reasons to contest this price, but the radio is a sticking point for me: $175k for a car that has needs?
I agree Eddie. For $175K, the radio should be in fine working order!
This hobby died 30 years ago. The old, fat
, bald guys who have the money to buy these now museum pieces have destroyed the hobby. Very few who can buy these cars today don’t know a hammer from a breaker bar. I am so done with muscle cars. Just got a mint Town Car. Get in. Turn key. Go.