This 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda is an incredible find, believed to be one of 17 V-Code 440 6 BBL ‘Cuda Convertibles produced in 1971 and one of just two export market cars. The ‘Cuda was hidden away in a container for 35 years and despite showing some wear and tear, remains in incredibly sound, original condition, with its numbers matching 440 intact and no major rot or corrosion. Drop-top ‘Cudas have always commanded a fair price, but one equipped like this one is will drive the final price tag significantly higher. It remains cosmetically unrestored, but the drivetrain was refreshed when removed from its storage container home. Find it here on the Mecum Auctions website where it’s set to be auctioned off in May.
This example is said to be known as the “Playboy ‘Cuda” due to having the iconic logo applied to its rear taillight panel and front bumper. No word on what the historical connection to the iconic men’s magazine may be, but it could just be a sign of the times when the ‘Cuda was still getting regular exercise. As the description notes, the appetite for expensive, high-consumption muscle cars was starting to wane during the ‘Cuda’s final year of production, which explains the relatively small production numbers in this particular model year. It gets even smaller for the drop-top versions, and downright minuscule when you factor in the high-performance options this ‘Cuda is equipped with.
The paint is wonderfully aged, with none of the exterior cosmetics being so much as touched up, which is exactly the way this ‘Cuda should remain. The engine is paired to an A727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission, and it is equipped with power brakes. Other features include bucket seats, a center console with Slap Stik shifter, billboard graphics, rear spoiler, Shaker hood, and more. Factor in the awesome factory color combo of Tor-Red with black interior and you have a ‘Cuda that is the stuff of many Mopar enthusiasts’ dreams. I can’t imagine this one being any more ideal, other than potentially have a manual transmission – but that is hardly necessary in a car with these performance credentials.
As an added bonus, the interior is in incredible condition. The seats and console look great and the dash isn’t cracked. The original steering wheel and gauge cluster show no issues other than some moderate wear. None of the photos show the top up, and the listing doesn’t mention whether it needs replacement or repair. The ‘Cuda is also optioned with the body-color sport mirrors you see here, and is a factory radio-delete car. I say again – does it get any better than this for a ‘Cuda collector? It’s a shame this car will live in a vault for the rest of its lift, but as long as it is never restored cosmetically, I’m fine with it. Now that you’re all quarantined, it’s a good time to crack open any abandoned shipping containers.
It’s about to have rot & rust…why is this out with snow & salt on the ground??
Calm down. Do you really think it was driven to the photo shoot?
As long as the road is DRY(best to plan a route prior with a modern car – maybe runs some errands) & it’s below freezing(if there’s snow around), the dry salt will not kick up or adhere to the bottom of the car. Been doin this for decades in the Northeast.
Much better than havin the car sit.
Some areas of the country actually don’t use salt.
Minnesota does
Probably cause after 35 years in storage ,taking a ride a week after it snowed 2 inches wouldn’t do a thing to it. In fact driving it all winter wouldn’t affect it.
There are plenty of survivor cars that were daily drivers for a lot of years in winter climates
Huh? …your kidding right BMac.? Never been to northern Michigan have you ? North Dakota maybe
WOW! They’re coming out of the wood works now! I can see this one going for big $$$$ at Mecum; well above anything the average Joe could afford! :-)
Mecum needs to be closed for now, is it? My opinion? People are flooding the market hoping to make bank before the market completely bottoms out. Many a man will be lamenting not selling last year. But human nature is foolish, they all kept thinking the party would go on forever and the price of admission would keep going up. There is a lot of money to be made in a bubble, but the rule of thumb is, early in, early out. It is like a big slot machine. You pull the bar and a hundred bucks comes out. You should grab the quarters and run, but what do most people do? Yup, the lose it all.
yes……. mecum is closed.. houston sale is not gonna happen
Why do you always complain abut people who buy old cars ? If someone wants to buy a tired rusty old car and restore it, whether he flips it or keeps it ,I’m all for it. I’ve seen too many classic cars hit the crusher because no one wanted to put the time and money in. With the internet some cars like that are being saved because people all over the world can see them , and that to me, is fantastic.
Mecum generally have a lot of nice cars but they don’t always sell. During the Glendale auction, I lost count of those that didn’t reach their reserve but that happens at all their auctions. I just checked their website and 127 went to “the bidding goes on” out of the 270 or so that were in the catalog and they haven’t sold yet,
And 143 sold. That’s sounds about in line for public sales also. You, yourself said it is always that way. Some people know their car’s value and some people think their cars are worth more than what they really are. The old car market cycles. The ones that are up today may be down tomorrow then back up later. The ”good” and ”real” stuff will always be up. Just my opinion.
(extreme Keanu voice) “Whoa”
(extreme valley girl voice) “Totally”
Billboards are new, hood is replacement, shaker is new. Regardless, this is a very interesting car. Don’t believe the collector market is going to crash, but it will be put on pause for a while.
Found the Bernie supporter.
What a lovely thing.
Is the smart money bailing on these? I ask because we’re seeing an awful lot of E-bodies for sale now, and these are kind of the creme de la creme of the musclecar world. The ones the big guys went to buy and hold for a future return. So this may not be a good sign, if part of your 401k is in a muscle machine.
You may be right, BUT — a big firm like Mecum would have had this particular car in the pipeline long before the virus and subsequent economic mess.
I think we’re going to see a LOT of cars in the market going forward, though.
100% correct more collectors cars in general will come to the market soon with the current situation. It’s a certainty but only so many of these to go about? And one thought … maybe cars (and homes?) will be seen safer investments.
I know most in here do it for the love of cars not the value but there is a certain comfort and justification in having it be a little nest egg too?
We aren’t seeing more of these hit the market than usual.
Just trying to be fair here Jesse but there are 5! E Bodies listed in this Barn Finds alone with 4 being Cuda’s. I think that is the most E’s I have ever seen in one email. Things that make you go hmmmmm.
Just a coincidence. There’s also a bunch on the market.
That thing looks more mean and menacing the way it sits right now versus when it was showroom new. I applaud whoever made the decision to refresh the drivetrain but keep the rest of the car perfectly patina’d. I hope the new owner keeps it in the sane condition and drives it like he stole it instead of restoring it.
The patina looks like crap, that being said maybe the Beverly Hillbillies will like it.
What did the V-code get you?
V Code got you the three two barrel 440 motor.
If your 401k is a Traditional….you are going to be taxed at 20 % withholding. So if you have saved 400k our dear uncle Sam will get
80 thousand dollars of it. We are being taxed to death, so sell your classic by owner so the auction houses cannot report your car profits to the IRS, and you.’ll pay more in taxes. Not politics just trying to save hard earned money.Auctions are not your friend.
They report your sale to the government over there? That is terrible.
Good tip for sure for those living there.
Auctions take quite a cut as well so it gets very pricey.
Most cars have a set value anyway unless rare?
I only buy and bottom feed at auctions.
This car begs to be driven…It’s ripe and road ready!
I’m a Chevy guy. I see this bringing at least 80 thousand at the auction, maybe more. To all of these people saying the market is going down, I would like to know what planet you are reporting from. I have yet to see it.
Regarding the Playboy sticker, these were available at the Playboy Clubs back in the day. I purchased an identical one at the Playboy Club in Vernon, NJ, in 1973 and placed on the rear bumper of my then new ’73 Camaro Type LT.
Did it help?
IIRC those were good for a 5 h.p. bump
Great project, but with the border shut down, marshall law all over the place, and social distancing , more important things than a rusty old Cuda on my mind
Then why are you on here?
Now’s the time to buy them boys (though never at Mechams). Like Sept 11 ’01, it may take a bit but it’ll come back.
Please stop using the term Radio Delete, the radio was an option during this era not standard equipment. The radio was not deleted,it was just not ordered when the car was. Oh and they are Door Panels, not Door trims or door cards. Thank You
My 1963 Buick Lesabre is a very rare radio delete since the radio was standard equipment . But it never has had an outside mirror–I do not drive it much, but when I do I really miss the mirror.
Options delete, …. or failure to order them in the first place …. creates some interesting cars. I have LOADED 58 DeSoto Fireflite …. interesting in itself. And I have a bare bones 58 Plymouth Plaza with no exterior mirrors, no radio, and subsequently no antenna. It has no side trim, and subsequently lacks the almost mandatory late-50’s two-tone paint scheme. It is a real standout in a crowd of its peers. Oddly, it got a V-8, Torquflite, PS/PB, and AC ! Talk about an unusual clicking of the options boxes on a car order !
…. yeah, that lack of mirrors takes some getting used to !
Burger,
RE- Strange option lists; A friend has a similar 1959 Plymouth Sport Suburban equipped with the base V8, 2-speed auto, no radio, no clock, no P/S or P/B, rubber mat carpeting. But it’s got power windows including the tailgate!
And of note: When the original USA version of the Ford Granada Ghia came out in 1975, the Federal government [GSA] placed an order for a large number of them, all well equipped. But in placing the order, someone failed to notice they didn’t come standard with automatics, and they all came thru with 3-speed stick shift on the floor! As I recall, they were all either dark brown metallic, or black.
I worked for a local Washington DC Ford dealer and remember how the government had a difficult time unloading these [when they came up at GSA auctions] because of the stick shift.
For many years my driver was a very nice ’65 Chrysler Newport 4dr sedan, an unusually optioned car. It’s 383 was standard, but it’s 4 barrel carb was an option as were it’s power windows, factory a/c, vacuum operated remote trunk lid release and two speed blower rear window defroster. The car had no radio and a lower dashboard panel face designed specifically for cars with no radio.
Do i here 250 250 250, 275 going once going twice and the winner of this container please go to the office with 275 cash or check.
The muscle and antique car market is beginning to drop just for the same reason that antiques are dying. Us boomers are getting older and our driving years are closing fast. I have a 63 Nova convertible LS3 with all the new suspension components and driveline and a 66 Chevelle convertible 383 stroker 525HP with all new driveline. My kids don’t want either car and say they are death traps. My son has a HellCat Redeye and thinks my cars are junk. We boomers are going to in for a big surprise when we try sell cars we put 50-75 grand into. Not sure when, but it only a matter of time. My wife has a set dishes from her grandmother that is worth $20 grand and my daughter does not even want it and told my wife to sell it.
Pulled a hulk of one of these out of a field 30 years ago. All that was left was the body shell and top. Data tag said 440 six-pak, and a 4-speed, amongst other things. Sold it for stupid money in the late 80’s. I imagine it is a paperweight, holding down the floor of some collector’s warehouse full of similar cars today.
It’s nice but like many, automatics do absolutely NOTHING for me. Had several over the years w/ either a Fairbanks or B&M racing trans in my early Trans Am’s, Monte Carlo SS & couple others. But had the M-22’s in my Z28, 70 Vette conv, as well as a 70 Challenger RT/440 w/ pistol. There is just NO way you can compare the fun factor with an auto to a 4sp+ manual.
I feel the same way. I just love the “action” of rowing through the gears AND the positive interface with the rest of the drivetrain. Even when working on them, just being able to pop-start them or kick ’em out of gear to coast down a hill, a stick always beats the mush box auto for me.
But I have had motorhead friends who drove truck and other jobs like that, who WANTED the auto, because they spent every day at work working the gears.
When I found my 66 Coronet, the 273/904auto had to go. A wrecked R/T provided all the go-fast a kid could want, and the 4-speed was a hoot. But the A-833 is a rough working old dog, compared to modern manuals, and there is no not paying attention when you drive a car with stupid power and an A-833.
Sacrifices …. 🎉
Terrylee86. Never fear. I am 48 and I have a 1961 Impala with a 348 and a 1970 Duster with a matching numbers 340. Love them to death. And so do my 24 year old son in law and daughter. The old cars will live on.
Looks like this vehicle has an Accell ignition coil. Would be interested to know if this was a Hamtramck Built vehicle or was it made at the Los Angeles Plant? if it was stored in a container all these years where was the container located?
Nice ride for sure but it’s going to go way beyond what I could pay!! It’s a great ride and worth every penny to have!! As for the market I guess we will see what a rare cuda will bring!!
Here is another Barracuda for you Dodge Boy’s:
http://tinyurl.com/ugxyurm