When it was new, this 1973 Plymouth ‘Cuda offered looks and performance that would satisfy most enthusiasts. Its glory days seem long behind it, and it will require a dedicated individual to regain its lost youth. It is a genuine blank canvas allowing its new owner to create the Mopar classic of their dreams. The seller listed it here on eBay in La Harpe, Kansas. Eight bids have pushed the price to $6,300, which is short of the reserve. For those wishing to bypass the auction process, there is a BIN option of $10,500. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this classic.

This ‘Cuda has led a colorful life, and I mean that in the literal sense. The traces of Silver paint visible in some shots isn’t original, with the car rolling off the line wearing striking Rallye Red with Black stripes. I’m unsure whether it featured a vinyl top, but there are suggestions that may have been the case. Determining some aspects of its original specifications is challenging, as someone helped themselves to the Fender Tag. Returning this classic to its former glory will require stripping it back to bare metal and addressing its rust issues. The buyer could perform the work by hand, but media-blasting would be quicker and expose any potential hidden problems. The seller admits the trunk pan has rotted, and the front floors are soft. Externally, the dramas appear limited to the outer rear quarter panels, with the remaining lower extremities looking sound. The windshield has cracked, but the remaining tinted glass looks suitable for a restoration project. It is a similar story with the grille because while it is damaged beyond repair, the remaining trim and chrome appear salvageable.

This underside shot confirms the seller’s claim the rails wear nothing beyond surface corrosion and that the ‘Cuda is structurally sound. They include no engine photos, but they have a good reason to justify that move. Lifting the hood reveals the engine and transmission are MIA. It originally housed a 340ci V8 producing 240hp. Coupled with the three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, the car would have covered the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds before winding its way to 123mph. That sounds pretty effortless, and the impression would have been reinforced by the original owner’s decision to tick power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes on the Order Form. Although the engine and transmission are long gone, the driveshaft and front and rear ends are intact. The lack of an engine and transmission allows the buyer to slot whatever they like under the hood. Locating a date-correct 340 and TorqueFlite is possible for a faithful refurbishment, although other options are worth considering. I referred to the ‘Cuda as a blank canvas, so selecting a more potent or modern drivetrain is possible. It is a chance to let the imagination run wild, and if the buyer intends to retain the car indefinitely, the cost may not be a determining factor.

This Plymouth’s interior is essentially complete, but it is another aspect requiring care and attention. The Rally gauge cluster and console are intact, although everything requires restoration or replacement. This adds further cost to this project, but how the buyer tackles it will depend on their vision for the car. Interior trim for a faithful appearance is readily available, as is a wide selection of custom options. If cloth or leather sounds more appealing than vinyl, many companies hold stock guaranteed to satisfy most tastes and budgets.

This 1973 ‘Cuda is undeniably a sad sight, but there is promise hidden within for the right person. Its rust issues are no worse than we’ve seen in many classics from this era, but its lack of numbers-matching status means the new owner could let their imagination run wild to create the car of their dreams. Unless the buyer has many of the required drivetrain and interior components squirreled away in their workshop, the process is unlikely to be cheap. However, sometimes a project where the creator intends to retain the car indefinitely is about more than mere dollars and cents. There are times when throwing caution to the wind to create the perfect classic is all that matters. If you subscribe to that school of thinking, this could be your next project.