6 Original Miles! 1974 Plymouth ‘Cuda

It’s been a very long time since a 1974 model E-Body came along that I feel might actually justify a six-figure minimum bid for a Mopar collector, but this 1974 Plymouth ‘Cuda here on eBay just might have the right stuff to demand and get over $100k.  This is a case where it’s not so much the car itself or how it’s equipped, although it does have some nice options and the best engine available for the period.  What makes this one incredibly special is the super low mileage, 00006 to be exact, plus the fact that it was never sold or even prepped for sale by a dealer.  This one’s in Springfield, Oregon, with the opening bid of $100,000 already placed.  However, that amount doesn’t meet the reserve, so it’ll take more before this one’s eligible to change hands.

It’s not surprising that this one is being offered by Mark Worman, Mopar restoration extraordinaire and star of the TV series Graveyard Cars.  While Mark is well-known for his high-quality work taking Chryslers that were left for dead long ago and turning them into like-new muscle cars, this “Cuda has an entirely different story, which is just the opposite.  It seems this one was tucked away when new and stayed untouched ever since, a scenario that Mark says is unique and never seen before.  Well, almost- he actually located another 1974 black ‘Cuda at the same time under the same set of circumstances, but it’s had more use.  That one has been driven 00062 miles.

Everything is said to be just as it was when the ‘Cuda left the Hamtramck assembly plant, with the body still wearing its factory coat of Rallye Red paint and white longitudinal side stripes just exactly as it was born.  This one is so original that the beauty rings that were supposed to be put on the Rallye Road Wheels were never installed, and the original spare tire is still in the trunk exactly as it was placed there in 1974.

The level of originality and showroom-new condition is even more impressive inside.  Of course, the black-and-white interior is as close to perfect as can be for an unrestored example, which I’d expect for one that’s only been occupied once or twice over the past 50-plus years.  However, what’s even more remarkable is the car’s build sheet– it was folded by an assembly-line worker and placed between the floor and seat track, with a factory-installed bolt piercing right through it in this position.  The windshield also retains the factory stickers that were supposed to be removed by the dealer before it hit the lot.

Less than two hundred extra dollars got you the best and only engine upgrade available in the ‘Cuda for 1974, and thankfully, a 360 is indeed what’s under the hood here.  With almost no miles, this is one of those cars that will likely never see any road use, and I’d hesitate to even try and start it 52 years later.  Though I’m typically one of those enthusiasts that wants to see every car driven and enjoyed no matter what, this is a case where preservation is paramount, IMHO.  I’m also eager to hear what our readers have to say about this as-built 1974 Plymouth ‘Cuda ultimate survivor.  Any ideas where Mr. Worman may have set his reserve here?