When a Mopar maniac like Mark Worman says an E-Body is one of the most heavily optioned examples he’s ever seen, that’s enough to grab my attention, since he’s undoubtedly seen plenty of them. However, when that car happens to be a 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda still wearing almost all of its original Curious Yellow paint and factory 340 billboard stripes, it piques my curiosity a lot more! While this ‘Cuda needs a complete restoration, it’s certainly got a fine pedigree and is likely worth all the effort needed to get it back on the road. Located at Mark’s shop in Springfield, Oregon, this one is listed here on eBay, where the current high bid of $7,400 still hasn’t lifted the reserve.
Although there’s no longer a fender tag under the hood, this one still has its build sheet, rescued from above the rear seat springs. While this ‘Cuda has a plethora of great options, one that got you noticed a lot more than its cost of under $15 was selecting one of Chrysler’s High Impact paint colors, and the buyer here chose the one-year-only Curious Yellow. The black vinyl top, billboards, and Shaker hood were also present when this one left the Hamtramck assembly plant. The panels have developed some rust, so it will need body repairs and minor front-end straightening, but the exterior seems to be at a fairly decent starting point overall.
Unfortunately, the corrosion in the trunk and floors is extensive, so it probably makes the most sense to replace these sections entirely. The seats are in surprisingly well-preserved condition, and Mark explains that the owner who parked this ‘Cuda in the eighties had the foresight to remove them from the car and store them inside. At first glance, one of the more unusual options inside looks to be what was corporately known as code R26: a 2-watt in-dash AM radio with a detached cassette deck mounted on the console. However, a closer inspection shows this one appears to have the even rarer R33 unit: a 10-watt radio with a dictating microphone attachment on the tape deck, also a 1971-only option.
The original 340 is long gone, and the sale includes no engine. However, it retains the original Shaker hood base and bubble, plus the factory carburetor and original TorqueFlite transmission. It also came equipped with the 3.91 Sure-Grip rear end, but there’s no word on whether it’s still intact underneath. Mark calls this an investment-grade 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda, and with its numerous and noteworthy options, I have to agree that this is a seriously cool and desirable Mopar project. What are your thoughts on this one?
If MW cannot figure out a way to make money on this restoration, what chance do us mere mortals have of doing it?
Exactly
Other than the dictaphone/radio thing there isn’t much else here that Didn’t show up on a lot other 340 Cudas of that era,….
The slapstick and the 3.91 rear end(if it’s still there) are nice but the one thing that would have tied it all together, which is that 340, is long gone according to the add and without That this car isn’t going to get as much as it Could have if it went through restoration with numbers matching equipment.
A shame really,….
For the first half of my life, a car without an engine was almost a give away item. It needs to go back to that so regular people can enjoy the hobby again.
Despite popular opinion, I really like the 71 grills, though the billboard engine call out is tacky to the extreme. I also have an opinion about the crazy low 3.91 rear end. Not highway friendly. If all you want is a drag racer, use a 440 or hemi. The 340 was a great engine for actual road use, but a higher ratio, say 3.23 for Chrysler, is a great compromise. By 1971, my life was in disaray, so ordering a new car was not for me at that time, but if I were to order one, that is how I would have ordered one. A small block with a four speed and a reasonable rear axle ratio. A great twisty road or freeway car. Balance is the only way to go with a performance car.