As big a fan as I am of E-Bodies, generally there’s something I can find to get excited about whenever one shows up for sale online. From some angle, somewhere, more often than not there’s at least one thing about the car that usually gets my juices flowing. Maybe it’s too early in the morning and the optimistic side of my brain isn’t fully awake yet, but this poor ‘Cuda is just making me sad to look at, and I’m glad the seller states upfront that it needs EVERYTHING and capitalized that all-important word when describing this car. If you’re got your big boy restoration pants on and don’t mind a car in need of EVERYTHING, maybe this 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda would be a good car for you. It’s located in St. Louis, Missouri, and can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $4550.50.
Perhaps you’re thinking that the wheels may be salvageable, but it doesn’t really matter as they are not included in the sale, and the seller says that instead, the car will have a set of rollers for transport. There’s also no background given about how this ‘Cuda got to be in its current state, and that might be good, because if people were inside when that roof collapsed their noggins must have taken some pretty hefty blows.
If there is a bright spot, it may be that there is a fender tag present, but even that raises some questions as it’s blue and not consistent with the rest of the contamination surrounding it. The seller says that the ‘Cuda is a factory FC7 In Violet color car, which does match up with the tag, and there is purple under the trunk lid and inside the passenger door jamb. It is also said to be a 340 car, and that E55 in the lower-left corner is consistent with such, but there’s no motor or transmission present so c’est la vie.
Things aren’t looking much better on the inside either, and there’s no glass. Even though the seller summed the car up in one sentence by saying that it needs everything, he does point out some specifics such as all body panels, fenders, doors, roof, trunk, interior, floor pans, plus the rails are rusty too. The seller optimistically states that nearly everything it needs is available from the aftermarket, and believes that the car is worthy of a full-blown restoration.
The owner also mentions that the car still has a good color-coded grille, although it has some cracks and is missing some of the “cheese graters”. What are your thoughts on this 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda?
Oh my gosh! This needs to be taken off Ebay and put back in the salvage yard they took it from! I thought VIN tag sales were illegal??
They are once swapped to another body. It’s fraud and it could be considered a stolen vehicle. Everybody thinks they are smarter than the cops but there are at least four hidden Vin numbers on most cars. One didn’t match you go to jail until bail is set. Happened to guy I know, it’s not B.S.
Yeah, but is VIN troubles the cops highest priority? Kind of like my local gas stations all deciding I have to now pay at the pump because there is so many drive offs without paying. I am a chubby guy who likes cookies from inside the store and like to pay for them with my gas, so this irritates me. I asked why not just call the cops? After all, you record all your customers lic plates? They told me the cops just shrug their shoulders and say they are too busy to spend money and time on a “victimless” crime, and a misdemeanor besides. I do not agree with this, maybe a few examples made would stop the shenanigans, but nevertheless I bet the reality is the same with VIN fraud as well, and the crooks know it, they are just playing the odds that the upside is too sweet. Word to the wise, do not play in a world where “originality” makes you money. Pay fairly for a car that looks and drives well, but do not pay more because you think it is an investment. Lets get the money men out of the game and we all will be better off. I have no problem with people who fix up cars and resell for a profit, heck, they do a service. But, the big money boys who try to artificially raise prices on idiocy like a perceived value, that drives me nits. Guys, pay for a cr because you like it and how it works, not because of rarity.
Gary, and now the thief would have to steal $900+ worth of gas to get the police involved.
Steve, it is frustrating. I suggested to the manager of my local place that he should go old school and pump the gas for us. That way the chances of drive offs are much less. He thought that was funny, I told him it was not. For what gas costs these days the least they could do is pump it for us. We all know how profitable it is for the gas stations and it would provide jobs. Lets go back to the 70s and remember how nice it was to not have to pump that smelly stuff in the heat, and rain, and cold. One of the problems with modern day business is they all say they are customer centered, but really, are they? Many of us as teenagers made spare cash pumping gas, why not again?
Swapping vin tags is not illegal in California provided you have all the documentation (where it came from and what it’s on now). It is also rather easy to simply apply and receive a new vin for the vehicle.
When I first glanced at this thing, my first thought was, “Well, maybe the wheels…”. Then I read the description. The seller is either a crook or a complete ignoramus who knows one thing: these days, people are paying absurd amounts of money for wrecks that will probably collapse into piles of rust if you even try to get them on a trailer. There’s still a sucker born every minute, isn’t there?
Couldn’t agree more. Good Lord.
Not a car; just a car-cass for a jac-kass.
Can’t imagine putting down hard earned money for something like this. It’s not like there aren’t better cars out there than this will ever be in someone’s lifetime… the time it will take to make something out of it.
Hahahahaha!
Looks like the Shawdow Cuda GYC saved from death. Looks like Jethro was traveling 100 mph on I 70 with a six pack in his lap and kaboom. Incredible pile of garbage. Yeah, back to the junkyard. I amazed so many people have more money than brains. Nobody works anymore, so how would they have money to waste on this.
George: a big tree fell on this one, not rolled.
$4550 bid so far? Wow, scrap prices are really through the roof!
75k when done most likely, may make sense if you can do the metal work. Literally every piece of metal is available, repo or original. Beings it’s a purple 340 it will get restored
Hey, fake Gary, it a’int purple no more. If you buy all new metal, that a’int purple neither. Explain to me how it can be a purple 340 and be worth so damn much? 50 years ago, long rusted, and now gone sheet metal was sprayed purple, but the car is basically gone. Was Frankenstein Mr Joe Blow who had his core body before being dug out of a warm grave? Nope, he was something new made out of different parts. Mrs Joe Blow would agree with me. You can paint up Frankie all pretty with a good hair do and lipstick, but he a’int n Joe. Once this crap gets out of the minds of people, the better. Love, the real gary
Not worth even scraping.
Bring A Dust Pan
Lots of suspect bidders. I’ve about had it with Ebays’ frauds,overbearing rules and Fees. seems like the scammers are protected more than the sellers. I pity the fool that plunks down hard earned (?????) coin for this carcass. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
I agree 100% with the Ebay fraud! I have been whining about it for years! It’s almost like they are protecting the shill bidders and flippers and screwing the buyers. Just my opinion.
Chas, 98% of the time the winner turns to smoke anyway after the listing ends. It is amazing someone can get a brand new account and start bidding $1000’s.
Ebay does nothing but collects fees. People figured out Monday morning after the frenzy ended the night before they were not really obligated.
I did very well as a seller until about seven years ago. I noticed a problem on my listing. I had no views. It wouldn’t show up when I typed in the make of vehicle. What did were Gateway Motors sponsored listings instead. Try it. Type in something and see all what unrelated items pop up. A joke.
I called ebay and talked to someone from a third world country (I hope I can say that without offending) and he say no issues. I had 80 views for the week. Then I listed same vehicle through my sons brand new account and bam 3000 views. Seems new sellers at the time got preference over older ones. Now most all auto listings are dealers.
I quit altogether after the transition from Paypal to judge and jury managed payments. Too many changes. My son continued but now without warning ebay puts random holds on his payments……. making money off interest now.
Anyone thinking about selling on feebay or any other similar site should first take a look at a free website that exposes the problems endemic with ebay: ecommercebytes.com.
Multiple ebay execs including the CEO, had to resign and or do jail time after they were found to be responsible for multiple illegal and fraudulent acts against the couple who run the above website. They didn’t like being exposed for the slimeballs they really are. Feebay is known as “The San Jose Mafia”, because of what they do.
So are these the new class of scrap Porsches???
“There’s also no background given about how this ‘Cuda got to be in its current state”
It was wrecked. It’s a wrecked car.
“The seller … believes that the car is worthy of a full-blown restoration.”
Well, on you go, son.
$45.50 ‘cos it’s got tail lights and a grille. That’s just been dumped somewhere and then jumped about on for a long time…
This should be a game show question: What caused this mess? It looks like a burn-out, but the upholstery is intact. The steering post is smooshed to the left but the front end isn’t caved in. For a rollover, I would expect more side damage. So, were angry children using it as a trampoline? Did somebody drop a Valiant onto it?
Based on the flaring out of all the lower qtrs pmakes me think the car sat under the weight of another car(s) stacked on top of it once junked.
Could be a good Halloween decoration with some bones
Who likes patina?
It’s like an IQ test. How stupid are you?
15 bids have reached $4,850.50 with 3 days left.
Some people have more money than brains.
(although I admit, those ’71 ‘cuda chopped-tops are hard to come by.)
The fender tag doesn’t look right to me. For one thing why is the tag blue but the fender doesn’t have the least bit of blue anywhere? Second, the screws aren’t blue? Were screws used to attach fender tags? Lastly if you zoom in on the left screw it was damaged while being removed. Does that mean this tag and fender don’t go together?
Did you notice that
1) the top left corner is bent up?
2) the tag doesn’t look square to the panel.
3) the rust holes look like the have blue paint on the rusty parts
4) rust on the top edge looks like it’s held in place with blue paint.
I don’t know, something screams RUN FROM THIS!
I have never seen a fender tag that wasn’t riveted in place. Something that was done to keep unscrupulous people from selling scrap as if it were something of value. Phillips head screws? C’mon man! Make an effort.
My point exactly. Look at the tag against whatever part of the fender it’s been attached too – way out of alignment. Also, the rust holes have paint in them, and rust chips along the top ridge are held in place by paint…
Then you haven’t seen any Mopars – They all used Phillips screws
Sorry, Bone, I stand corrected. Seems counterproductive to affix a tag with screws, but there is a lot about Mopars that I simply don’t understand. Armed with this new information I believe it’s time for me to enter the auction and see if I can’t bring this creampuff home 🙄.
its just painted with a spray can to cover the rust so you can see the codes
The fender tag isn’t blue, it’s been lightly sandblasted so it’s bare sandblasted metal.
Mopar City in Illinois is going out of business. You can probably get a better car for less money out of their yard.
https://www.dodgegarage.com/news/article/gallery/2021/01/mo-par-city-is-closing-its-doors-after-50-years.html
If people will really pay $5K for cars like this Cuda, somebody needs to buy Mopar City. The inventory should be worth millions.
It looks like someone was trying to practice the end of Vanishing Point, yes, I know it’s not a Challenger. But the end result looks the same.
I see now it,s a lot of tricks to sell a car on here isnt it ? Thanks guys.
Ran when parked.
Not even sure if you can call this a parts car! I’m sure shill bidding got the bidding up to almost 5K
Shocking. The only thing of any value is the set of wheels and they don’t go with it. Who is bidding on this mess?
Needs EVERYTHING isn’t accurate. This one needs a donor car that needs everything! It’s a black hole in the automotive cosmos.
Really cool and really expensive yard art.
What a pile!! 16 bids, with 6 bidders.
Crush it
Take a look at the sellers ratings. He seems to have sold quite the collection of old cars. I’ll bet he has a favorite junkyard he pulls these from…
Thrown in the sea after being hit by a train.
Would you really want a “restored” car that started in this condition?
In think it was sitting in a barn (or some building) that caught fire and collapsed on the car. The worst part of this ad is the seller telling us how nice the grille is.
I think that is the funniest part of the ad lol!
True, you can buy the sheet metal to put this back together, but as someone else pointed out, there would be absolutely nothing left of the original car.
I would love a purple Cuda or Challenger, but all you are really buying here is a vin tag. Whether allows it or not, it is still a FEDERAL offense to swap tags, whether you have documents or not. Just like it is a federal offense to remove emission equipment (catalytic converters), which I am certain California won’t allow lol.
Plenty of states allow smoking pot, but aren’t there federal laws against that too?
Now I manage an auto repair shop. People come to me constantly, asking us to remove tpms sensors. That is a safety device, federal offense to remove them too. I just tell them to bring in a rim without the car. I don’t know or care what it goes on.
Some laws are dumb as hell. But they are still laws. I spent enough money paying fines & enough time away from those I love to want to do anything to jeopardize my money or freedom again. I suggest you all do the same.
crush it
Hold my beer!
i love the car a lot & i know someone else would too and its mark W from graveyard carz
What comes to my mind is a segment from football Chris Berman did called;
“COME ON MAN!!!!!!”
Straight to the comments on this one!! I’m a bit disappointed that there weren’t any “tetanus shot required” remarks, but that would be good advice with this pile of junk…
Hard to believe 17 people have bid this up to $5101.
There is not 17 people bidding on this, its 17 bids by 7 people.
A good friend of mine owns a detailling business and he says his top man can buff it back !
I am gonna kick this horse one more time
Just looked at finished listing on eBay
13,300.00$
WTF?????
Wish I had some stupid money
What was it that PT Barnum famously said??
It will be fixed or re-bodied…You can swap vins if you re-body the car…I legally bought a new Challenger body years ago from Dynacorn and legally registered the car as a 70 Challenger R/T as it once was..Original car was t boned bad..Car is legal everywhere as its not stolen,just re-bodied..I used the original engine/trans,diff and most of the interior..
New car dealers do it to new vehicles,like a truck the cab is crunched,they swap a new cab..Toyota swaps frames from their recalls on 4 Runner(made in Japan) Tacoma and Tundra etc..
Usually when a new car dealership does it, it is done with the VIN in place from the factory & the dealership MUST send the damaged part back to the manufacturer.
I work in thevservice department at a Harley Davidson dealership. When a bike that has been in an accident and the frame is damaged but the bike is not totalled, we will get a new replacement frame from the manufacturer. It will come with the VIN in place like the original frame did, and we must send the damaged frame back to them.
The car manufacturers will do the same thing, for the same legal reasons. Removing a VIN off one car to put on a different body, new or not new, is a federal offense.
The “new Challenger” you describe is supposed to get a state issued kit car VIN.