A Plymouth ‘Cuda with a Hemi under the hood will always command attention from potential buyers as they aspire to own a classic that perfectly combines looks and performance. That is what this 1971 Convertible offers, but there is an intriguing option for purists to consider. Its presentation is superb and features some of the brand’s more desirable options. The seller has listed the ‘Cuda here on eBay in Titusville, Florida. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to sit at $130,100.
The seller describes this ‘Cuda as having undergone a rotisserie nut-and-bolt restoration, but I would consider it a refurbishment or custom build. There are several reasons I believe this, including the color change performed during the build process. The Fender Tag confirms it rolled off the line wearing Bahama Yellow, and pre-restoration photos support this. However, the restorer applied the more vibrant Top Banana to provide a stunning visual statement. It also wears “Billboard” stripes, although, as we will see, these aren’t correct for this car. The seller describes the ‘Cuda’s overall condition as perfect, and it is hard to argue with that assessment. The panels and paint look flawless, as does the Black power top. Climbing under the car reveals floors finished in the same stunning shade of yellow, with no evidence of rust, corrosion, or fluid leaks. The tinted glass is spotless, as are the factory Rallye wheels.
If the color change doesn’t convince you this ‘Cuda received a refurbishment rather than a restoration, perhaps lifting the hood will seal the deal. This Plymouth rolled off the line powered by a 340ci V8 which sent 275hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. It would have satisfied most owners with a ¼-mile ET of 15.2 seconds and a top speed of 127mph. However, you will rarely find an enthusiast wishing their classic had less power. In fact, the opposite is usually the case, and this seller acted upon those desires. Occupying the engine bay is a legendary 426ci Hemi, with shifting duties falling to an upgraded TorqueFlite. The seller didn’t take shortcuts, bolting in the correct K-Frame for this potent combination. The Hemi improves the figures to 14.2 seconds and 144mph. To make the driving experience effortless, the original owner ordered this classic with power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. For those preferring their ‘Cuda with factory specifications, the seller includes the numbers-matching engine, transmission, and K-Frame. They say this beauty runs and drives well, although they only use it for show duties. I know the buyer will make a considerable financial investment in this Convertible, but I think it deserves better than spending its life in a garage. I would enjoy all it offers, and I’m sure many readers will share that feeling.
This ‘Cuda wouldn’t look out of place on a showroom floor, and its interior supports my belief. It carries the hallmarks of a classic that has seen little use since the build ended. The upholstered surfaces are spotless, as are the carpet, dash, and console. It needs nothing and features some desirable options. The buyer receives the power top, leather upholstery, lashings of faux woodgrain, Rallye gauges, an AM/FM radio, and a factory tape player/recorder with its original microphone. That last feature is worth noting because it was a relatively rare option. I searched online to gauge availability and price, and you will struggle to locate a healthy unit for under $1,000. That makes it a worthy and desirable inclusion.
With fourteen bids submitted by four people at the time of writing, it seems a few people like what they see with this 1971 ‘Cuda Convertible. It isn’t 100% original, but the inclusion of the removed drivetrain components makes achieving that goal feasible for the right person. The bidding action may not seem intense for a classic of this caliber, but that would be more a result of the price bracket than the car’s inherent desirability. More will probably be submitted before the hammer falls, so watching this auction could be entertaining.
Great way to enjoy one without spending seven figures…assuming you have six figures lying around. Nice car, but the “go wing” will always look tacked on.
I’m out. Great looking car. If I had I would drive it around it would not stay in the garage. I realize for value you need the numbers matching drive train but for me it is something I have to store. I would rather have a driver quality car that I can drive around.
No rust anywhere? How about on the muffler and bracket and the fuel tank? And there appears to be some dirt or smudge of some sort around the trim tag. Not a fan of the solid black stripe either. Don’t get me wrong, I love these cars, but I think this one is just a bit overstated.
You must be the guy who judged my Mustang at its last show.
Yes! I remember your car! I thought I gave you all 10’s. Oh, I remember now…..I found a speck of dirt, under your dash, behind the radio. Minus 20 for that! hahah, all in good fun!
Adam I agree on a lot of things you mentioned. But I always saw a factory Hemi car with a Dana 60 rear end. If I was going to go this far with the rebuilt I would have gotten a Dana rear with 3.54 gears in the back. When I first saw the picture of the vehicle on your site I said no way !on eBay! Saw the fender tag I said. Ahhh 340 car! This beautiful and yes I would love to own it. It’s a convertible and it’s a Hemi! Good luck to the next owner.🐻🇺🇸
Dana was optional with auto trans, standard with manual. 440 and Hemi cars only.
I’d like this car just as much, maybe better, if it had been restored with its original drivetrain, color, etc.
Quite a few changes have been made to this car beyond the color change (a huge aesthetic improvement in my personal opinion, as I was never a fan of Bahama Yellow, but a huge “no-no” to a purist), taking it far from the “restored” category. Also, I suspect that the bumpers may have just been scuffed and sprayed, rather than a correct set of either NOS or used elastomeric bumpers having been obtained, and I’m also not certain that Lemon Twist (Top Banana was Dodge’s name for the current color) was one of the limited color choices available for either the body colored grille or bumpers in 1971.
Adam, I’m not following your contention that the billboards aren’t correct for the car. They’re badly faded but clearly present in the pre-“restoration” photos so presumably the car is coded for them; only the door segments on both sides vary from the originals to match the engine currently under the hood.
I believe the code V6X indicates the black billboard stripe, but of course it would have been a 340 billboard. Like the orange one parked next to it.
Scott.. I double check my sheet on Mopar order codes. Yes it did have the 340 bill board strips. If you watch Graveyard cars and see how there put on the bill board strips it a science to make sure it’s perfect. Otherwise it’s worth the money.. maybe 4 years ago it could went for 20,000 less but thanks to you know who everything went up. 🐻🇺🇸
This might do better at a big name auction, with strong drinks flowing rather than FeeBay.
144mph top end in a convertible with the 3 spd auto? Whats the rear gear ⚙️
Be a wild time in this banana 🍌 at 140+ mph.
144? This car will probably never go over about 60 again, which is about right on those tires.
I like it!
Great looking car no matter who designed it, factory or an inspiration
Joe Mannix or Nash Bridges should have been tooling around in this Cuda instead.
Beautiful car !
When you see some of these rusted out wrecks….you gotta think or imagine
if you buy one….it could look similar to this beauty. if you got the $$$$.
Mannix liked his Mopars in
dark green.
Perfect for Nash!
Why do people take their photos in portrait mode? Should be in landscape, horizontal mode.
These are iconic now but back long ago…they were…well, shotty pieces of crap to many folks. I had one in green. It ranks to this day as the most unreliable car I ever owned. I think it haunts me because it wasn’t one of my 300.00 toss aways from someone but a rather expensive buy that was suppose to be a few year turn key but ended up as the tow trucks best friend. Let’s see, mine overheated regularly even after water pumps, thermostats, new radiator. 3 door handles, so buy the second year I left the window down enough to reach in. Who cared about it getting wet inside. Electrical mysteries that even Scooby-Doo couldn’t solve. The trunk pan disintegrated overnight. The wipers carved a huge line right in my view. I think I pit 10 or so sets on that car in two years. Yup it was a gem. One of the very few cars I sold at a loss. I should have scraped it but a fish made an offer I didn’t want to refuse. I did replace it with a Challenger that was a toss away that dumped a 440 in and had a blast for a while and never had to walk. Unique and great style but man I had a dud and would never have another.