It’s been a long time since a 1974 model E-Body came along that I sense 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 this one does have some nice options and the best engine available for the period. What makes this example so 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 Carz. While Mark is well-known for his high-quality work taking Chryslers 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 as it was placed there in ’74.
The level of originality and showroom-new condition is even more impressive inside. 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 truly amazing is the car’s build sheet– that piece of paper 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 intended to be removed immediately by the dealer before this Plymouth 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 attempt starting it 52 years later. Though I’m typically one of those enthusiasts who wishes to see every car driven and enjoyed no matter what, this is a case where preservation seems to be of utmost importance. 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?
This will be a big old chunk of change, for garage sized gazing ball.
This is the guy with the TV show, if anyone can get their asking price, whatever it is, he will.
He’s also running an auction for a black 1974 360 equipped with 62 original miles. Its opening bid is also $100,000 RNM. Both came from the same dealer.
Steve R
I think Mark would get at least 175k for it
“it still carries all of the assembly-line markings and decals that were supposed to be removed before it ever left the dealership” he put that in the ad and he’s such a dufus….it never left the dealership until he got both of them…..
Not that anyone cares, but here’s my take… It’s an incredible amount of money for what amounts to a very large paper weight.
Is it gorgeous? Yes.
One of a kind? You betcha with 6 miles.
But if you can’t drive it, (and I’m piggybacking the comment that you’d be afraid to start it), what good is having it other than a showroom museum piece??
Understand that I’m not bad mouthing it. I’m absolutely not. But what on Earth is the point of having something like that if you can’t just tool around town in it? And believe me, I think that’s the biggest problem here. No one is going to want to risk getting it dirty in any way shape or form.
Additionally, then I’ll shut up, after 50+ years of just sitting, I absolutely guarantee that if you did try to drive it, things are going to go haywire probably pretty fast.
no different than paying a million for a stamp that you can,t mail a letter
I would cringe at every single mile I put on this car if driven. Totally not an enjoyable experience. I certainly don’t have the cash for this museum piece.
You’re absolutely right all the seals will be the first to go that init self is going to be a very expensive nightmare
If I had the money to buy it, it would be driven.
I have a 1970 Plymouth Superbird with 10 miles on it, hemi, 4 speed pistol grip, power windows, locks, p/s, p/b, sunroof, cd player, 6,000 watt stereo, a/c, hugger orange, have the original 318 in storage,Olds rally wheels, Chevy trim rings, Pontiac bumper guards , Buick turn signals, and a turbo from a 1963 Volvo 145 wagon. All original, have all documents from Chrysler, build date 01/05/1965. Asking $567,321.09. Phone calls only 555-123-4567. Ask for Habib.
WHAT?!? No rear window defogger?!! NO DEAL!!! LOL!!! :-)
That’s the most b******* I’ve ever read on here. A 1970 superbird with a bill date of January 1965 that had an original 318.
Just curious. A Volvo 4 banger turbo?
I verified all the equipment you listed but what isn’t correct is the cd player .
With that 9 cents, that is way too much!!
Guys it’s legit. Read about this car in Mopar Collectors Guide. Even came with factory Hemi lugnuts!
Can I make payments?😆
A bloody clone at that price, forget about it.
There’s a video on YouTube of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGyTxnRp5uA
Towards the end he talks about a giveaway he has going on, and says “If you won $100,000, that wouldn’t even buy the tires on this car” so who knows how much the reserve is.
And for sure this is just a piece of sculpture, nothing more. A really cool one though.
Tim, no doubt the man’s reserve is well into the ‘ludicrous’ catagory. I’m sorry but a `74 Cuda no matter the low mileage just isn’t worth anywhere near that figure. You’re talking `71 440 6-pack neighborhood, and this car is not a `71 440!
If I won $100K cash, I wouldn’t even be looking at a `74 ANYTHING. But hey–that’s just me.
Man, I thought the video was of the 1970 Plymouth Superbird that originally had a 318 in it, Olds rally wheels, Chevy trim rings, Pontiac bumper guards, Buick turn signals, and a turbo from a 1963 Volvo 145 wagon with 10 miles that Joe talked about… 😂
Weird.
Ugly ass Cuda. The beauties were the 70 and 71’s
I loved the 69′ notchbacks w the 340, 4sp Darren 👍🏁🤌
im having a hard time believing the mileage
Why??
Wow. Pretty cool unicorn. So many questions. How/where was it stored. What was the window sticker price? When was it last started? Any oil change or maintenance ever done on it? And finally, if you did buy it and decided to drive it occasionally (assuming it would even start), would it really hurt the value of it that much if you put a couple hundred miles a year on it?
Or is its value mostly based on that fact that it’s never been sold or driven?
Excellent observations and questions, Kent! Readers, what do you think?
I guess you could always put the original dash cluster on the shelf and put it back in before selling it.
There is a Youtube video on this car, from Graveyard Cars.
Pic of MSRP is on the listing.
That’s my main point. It appears that nothing has ever been done to it. And sitting that long, I’d expect it won’t handle the compression in any form. Fuel system, brakes, radiator etc… not to mention shocks will probably break quickly along with tires bursting. Other fittings and seals will probably fail fast.
I just can’t imagine there’s much strength/integrity in any parts not solid steel.
Almost instantly you will have to replace at least something and then the value in the “rarity” of being exactly how it came off the assembly line is gone.
Pictures are made for staring at, cars are made to be driven!
Some thoughts on this, and its 62 mile twin in black he bought….
I’m pretty sure he paid more than $100k each for them.
99.999% sure this is the only chance ever to buy new E-body ‘cuda’s. This red one has not even been PDI’d.
Yes they are museum sculptures, unless the buyer is ultra rich and value doesn’t matter.
Amazing story and now finding other muscle cars still in the wrapper must be in every gear head’s dreams.
If I win the lottery before the auctions are over, yeah I’m buying one or both. 🤣
People wondering if it would even start. Tear out the boat anchor motor and LS that puppy. Then it would start and fly. Maybe add twin hair dryers and cut exhaust dump holes on each side.
All that power means a roll cage is needed after ripping out the interior…..
Still low mileage added when it’s a quarter mile at a time.
Pretty cool car!! Of course Mark would have both LOW mileage Mopars!!
I prepped 74 Cudas new at a Chrysler Plymouth dealer in 1974. They were built terribly and had awful factory paint. As mentioned here, it cannot be driven as things will fall apart quickly.
2 very rare cars indeed. my guess is the reserve is around 1/4 million each. some deep pocket collector will buy these. these would be perfect for Dave Welborn’s museum in Alabama. they would fit right in.
you might as well go over the engine, and get it running. If you don’t, it might as well have a rod thru the block. Even if you want, pull the original engine and store it.
If the Cuda is never driven on the Highway, will the new owner need to purchase a license plate?
Wish my grandfather had bought this instead of that Valiant sedan back in ’74. Amazingly the dealership is still in business.
They’re only original once?
When Worman first found this several months ago, I sent a link to the YouTube video to BF, figuring that it would be interesting to the group of readers here to discuss.
It is my guess that this is just a way for Mark to let the world know that he owns this. No way is he going to sell this unless someone makes him an offer he can’t refuse. What that would be, I have no idea, but thinking it will involve 7 figures.
It seems to me that these cars have no practical utility except to display in a museum, or a collector’s garage. My guess is the seller is fishing to see what demand is out there and to maximize profit.
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“My guess is the seller is fishing to see what demand is out there and to maximize profit.” isn’t that what a good businessman is supposed to do?
Went to $117,600, 3 bids, reserve not met.