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Optioned Out! 1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda 383

This beautiful 1971 Plymouth Barracuda is said to have spent the majority of its life in California. It has been restored, but still retains all of its original panels! Being sold by EG Auctions in Alberta, Canada, the car can be found for no-reserve auction here on eBay with a current bid over $50,000. If you watch television shows like Graveyard Carz, you know that vintage Mopars are all about codes and option combinations and this particular car is no exception. Not only does it wear beautiful EV2 Hemi Orange paint, but it also features a ton of other options. Let’s check out this awesome car!

As you can see from this photo, the car is pristine. The two fender tags outline all of the options this car came with including the E65 383 big-block V8. Although the engine isn’t numbers-matching it is date code correct. The transmission is a D32 727 automatic that spins the upgraded Dana rear end.

I’m not a Mopar expert, but apparently the H5XV orange cloth buckets option along with the orange exterior is pretty rare. Along with the interior, the other rare options include the P31 power windows and H51 air conditioning. This car also features A62/N85 Rallye dash with tachometer, J45 hood tie-down pins, M21/M25/M31 chrome moldings, N41/N42 dual exhaust with chrome tips and G36 dual exterior mirrors.

There’s nothing like a ‘Cuda back end. The V6X black billboard stripes look awesome and the A22 front and rear elastomeric bumpers tuck in well and leave the car with great lines. Overall, this is an awesome car and anyone would be proud to have it in their collection. What do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    I would LOVE to have this in my collection, but the reality is that it’s already priced beyond the means of the average guy. Oh, well, I can still look, drool, and dream, LOL!! GLWTA :-)

    Like 8
  2. Avatar Nick

    Well you have a pretty rare ‘Cuda because it has a bunch of options though it has the standard 383 engine with a Torqueflite. Great looking car though the black painted hood nostrils should be body color but overall it looks very nice.

    Then you go and screw it up by putting in an “upgraded” Dana rear end which has no place in the car and was not an available option with this engine trans/combo. Any provenance the car had is just thrown away because you’re too clueless to know any better and don’t know why this would matter.
    Is any of the car real, probably, though it could be made up Ebay special.

    Why would you not address these 2 issues (1 big, 1 small) that matter?

    Like 5
    • Avatar Moparman Member

      It always baffles me as to why people paint the nostrils black, when they restore these cars (on Challengers too!); I’ve also seen the rear tail light panel of ’72-’73 Challengers painted black or body color, when they should be argent silver!

      Like 2
  3. Avatar Grumpyboy

    No vinyl top?

    Like 1
  4. Avatar XMA0891

    Plymouth was firing on all cylinders in ‘71 (pun intended) – Absolutely my favorite year for these. Think some VIP at FCA ever gazed over one like this, and wondered why it was allowed to all be winnowed away to nothing? In my warped world, a ‘20 Plymouth ‘Cuda would still be vying with the Mustang and Camaro for market share.

    Like 4
    • Avatar SMDA

      No more 2020 cars being made, maybe a 2021 or 2022. Never liked those stupid whole rear quarter engine call outs. Tasteless.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Cronk

        My favorite will always be the 70 Cuda’s. This is a very sharp looker but I never liked the dual headlights and changes to the taillights. I agree the billboard quarter blackout was hideous even in 71.

        Like 2
      • Avatar Moparman Member

        The story has it that the man who designed the call outs was miffed because he expected to be designing something commensurate with his design degree. He did the billboard call outs as a joke, but to his surprise, his boss liked them and okay-ed them for production!

        Like 3
    • Avatar Dave

      It was a different era with different sensibilities.
      Considering how many Challenger variations they’ve produced since returning the model to production I think they’ve covered the bases well.
      While the original could be had with engine choices ranging from the LTOP to the Hemi and 440-6 the current model makes do with a base 6 that’s nearly as powerful as the 340, optional AWD, and a slew of Hemi options from tame to ludicrous!
      There have been rumors and artists renderings of a new B-fish but none have been forthcoming from FCA.
      Meanwhile, Challengers continue to sell quite well considering the age of the platform the car is based upon.

      Like 3
  5. Avatar Troy s

    It’s a beautiful thing to say the least. As much as I like the orange peel I couldn’t own it, even if I had the dough. Make mine some shade of blue with a 340 and then I could actually have stronger interests.
    Nice ride, hope the new owner enjoys it on the road.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Rob M.

    Nice car, but I’ll take the Suburban, thank you.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Jay E.

    Back in the day I recall only one billboard car, ever. Now they are all over the place. An early attempt at a “wrap”? I agree, they are hideous. Hockey stick stripe is about perfect.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar mainlymuscle

    I’ve seen this one up close live and personal,and it looks even better than the pictures.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Ronn

    The interior looks terrible and the other problem is that it’s a automatic, muscle car should be sticks that’s the fun part of pull that Hurst from 1 to 4.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    I looked at this car & mustang new in1971 & i noticed you sit quite low in both cars – indeed the bottom cushion is closer to the floor in both cars, compared to firebird/camaro(because they used buckets(the std ones) from grandma’s vega & nova, where u sit higher.)
    The bucket seat on this cuda looks odd, because its backrest top to bottom is very long & would appear to block your vision behind your head.
    Even odder is the modern “Mopar” battery which looks just like the latest design $49 sealed battery at Walmart, with Mopar Stickers on it! lol
    & what is Mopar charging? Save those stickers for the next battery!
    Walmart does not even print who makes their value battery anymore, let alone WHERE it’s made.

    Like 0

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