Originally packing an inline 6 with a floor mounted 3 speed, this ’71 Barracuda convertible could be made into the Hemi 4 speed convertible of your dreams. With a lot of interest in the auction this convertible has been bid up to $21,700. Take a look at it here on eBay out of Peekskill, New York.
The floor mounted shifter and 3rd pedal is a bonus for this 71 Cuda. Rust can often be a problem with old Cudas, or old convertibles in general and this one does need some help in the front of the floors. The interior is beat requiring a total restoration. on a good note, the convertible top mechanism is claimed to be complete, so that is a bonus for this Cuda. The slant 6 3 speed is still in place but no pictures have been provided, and no real details on the condition either.
Although there is a lot of old paint remaining, this Mopar needs a lot of restoration work. The rear wheel arches are well chewed up and rotted, as are the lower wings of the front fenders. The worst of the rot by far is in the trunk where the floor is completely missing. Also the trunk rails are a bit crispy as well. I personally am all for making a restomod out of base model car, so I think a V8 would be right at home in this Cuda convertible. Add some billboards and a mighty engine and this could be the Cuda of your dreams. What would you do with this Barracuda?
Call me crazy but I’d restore it as built. There are so many real and built big-block manual Cuda convertibles around. The base model slant-6 3-speed convertible would really stand out.
Completely agree.
It would be cool to build a version of the Aussie 6 Pack by adding triple webers and headers. I agree keeping the drivetrain original with the build configuration. Unfortunately people see dollar signs with a rare car like this.
I think the best for this car is to ship it off to grave yard cars.Those guys perform miracles!
The first thing I wonder is why it’s being sold, as it seems it’s in a resto shop already. More money than Ft. Knox can hold probably wouldn’t be enough.
They will probably make more money by selling it at this point than by building it on spec. Profit from the sale, then make a profit on the labor if they are chosen to perform the work. This will be a long term build, we are almost ten years into an economic expansion, who knows what the economy will be like in 18-24 months, I’d sell it too if I were them.
I wonder what would happen to the body if both doors were opened at the same time.
Steve R
Quite possibly trying to finance restoration of the blue cuda in the background?
Geez. I wish I had some rusty old cars sitting around. I could make a fortune.
I’ve loved these cars since I was a kid. If I had been saving since then, I probably still wouldn’t be able to buy and restore this one.
Peekskill is not far from where I grew up. This one will cost a fortune to restore thanks to NY winters.
I’m sure to be in the minority here but, if I were spending the money to restore it I think I’d go with the elephant and a 883.
Had a customer with a conv like this one, purple, slant six 3 speed. Performance very disappointing, Wonder where it is now. This one sure is a ruffian. Good luck to anyone brave enough to take it on!!
Make a planter out of it so many better cars to build but a better one
Always loved the 71 Cuda. Most beautiful grille of all time. Sadly, unless I find one in a barn where the farmer has not heard of the internet, I’m priced out of the field.
I had a chance to buy a Hemi Cuda convertible back when it was in the airport hanger out at Charlie Brown Field outside Atlanta back in the early 80’s for $7,500. It was all apart and engine in pieces. Now it is a $1,000,000 plus car.
Mark from Graveyard cars is drooling over a 3 spd 1971 Cuda convertible right now
$30k buy it now?!
pushing $22k in bids with two days left?!
look, i know what some of it’s sister cars are worth, a friend has a few ’71 Hemi ‘cuda convertibles (as well as some Hemi hardtops, Challengers, 6-packs & wing cars) that are worth a few million each.
but this is a slant-6 barely there rust bucket!
i don’t want to hear any whining about high-priced Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, etc basket cases moving forward.
There were only a few 71 hemi cuda converts ever built. If your friend has that many then he has them all. There seems to be a lot of story telling on this site!
Some stories are true, right?
You’re probably thinking of 4-speed 71 Hemi Cuda convertibles, they only made 3 of those.
There were twelve ’71 Hemi Cuda converftibles built: 7 sold in USA, 3 in France, at least one in Canada, if memory serves.
Last time i was up there Tommy had 3, including the only 4-speed still with its original engine that he tracked down in France. His other two are Torqueflights.
He also has a black ’70 Hemi Challenger convertible, a few Hemi hardtops, three ’70 W30 4-speed 442’s & probably a dozen or so other rare muscle cars.
the one from France
I’d make it gin put a blanket over the seats and drive it with a huge smile 😁
A 3G, third generation, Hemi would be perfect for this project. A 6.1 or even a 5.7, 5 speed would really move this E body. Course a supercharged 707hp Hellcat engine would really look good under the hood and make it a real beast.
Srt 71!!!
i had a 71 chal. back in the 80.s that i paid $800 for that wasn’t nearly rotted out as bad as this cuda but you couldn’t open the doors . the hole bottom of the firewall was broke from door post to door post not really rotted out. i crushed it. i have nite mares every nite thinking about it. back then they really weren’t much and i couldn’t find anyone who wanted to fix it. i mean this car was driven every day when i got it. you just had to slide over the top of the doors to get in it. i.m still crying
pic of chal. when i bought it.prev. post didn’t download this pic.
Ended: Sep 02, 2018 , 3:02PM
Current bid:US $22,100.00
Reserve not met
[ 42 bids ]
Price:US $28,000.00