After two generations in showrooms, the Plymouth Barracuda was redesigned for the 1970 model year. The makeover included brand-new underpinnings and a more aggressive design. More importantly, the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB and 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI engines became regulars on the options list.
The new package attracted nearly 49,000 buyers into showrooms, a respectable figure for the nameplate. In 1971, however, deliveries dropped rather dramatically to just 16,492 examples. This massive gap makes the 1971 Barracuda much rarer and significantly more expensive than its 1970 predecessor.
That’s even more visible when it comes to the HEMI version. While 1970 saw 666 customers take on home, Plymouth sold only 114 examples in 1971. The figure includes seven convertibles that are now worth millions of dollars. Sales of 440 Six-Barrel cars also took a big dive from 1,784 to just 254 units. The purple example you see here is one of 237 hardtops equipped with the 3×2-barrel unit, and it’s worth a fortune.
Scheduled to go under the hammer at Mecum’s Monterey 2024 auction on August 17, this ‘Cuda is what I would describe as the perfect classic. For starters, it’s the result of a comprehensive frame-off restoration, and you’d be hard-pressed to find faults, no matter how small, inside or out. It’s the definition of “flawless.”
It’s also finished in one of the most desirable high-impact colors. People usually refer to this hue as Plum Crazy, but this name was only used on Dodge models. Plymouth called it In-Violet. Needless to say, the paint shines like new.
Moreover, the ‘Cuda packs a numbers-matching drivetrain combo, which includes a four-speed manual gearbox. The latter makes it one of only 108 hardtops produced with this setup, so it’s quite rare, too. The combo is also highly desirable since 1971 was the final year for the 440 Six-Barrel (or Six-Pack in Dodge talk). The engine hides under a sleek N96 Shaker hood, a desirable option regardless of the engine.
As for being “worth a fortune,” Mecum estimates the ‘Cuda will change hands for $325,000 to $375,000. Granted, that’s not much compared to the HEMI convertibles that found new homes for more than $1 million (both privately or at public auctions), but it’s a big sum for a non-HEMI hardtop.
And if we only take public auctions into account, this ‘Cuda will become the most expensive 1971 hardtop ever. Yes, this would also include HEMI rigs. It would also be more expensive than most 1970-model-year Challengers.
A bit of digging also revealed that the same ‘Cuda was auctioned off for $275,000 in January 2023, so the Mopar is hitting the auction block again after one and a half years. Do you think it’s worth at least $325,000? Let me know in the comments.
This ‘Cuda is part of a six-car lineup called the Nevada Collection. The group includes a 1970 Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible estimated to sell for $2 million and a 1969 Dodge HEMI Daytona that could fetch more than $1.7 million. The latter is the most highly optioned HEMI Daytona known to exist.
The collection also includes a rare 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (one of 199) and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with a one-of-one color combo. The Merc’s estimated value exceeds $2 million. All cars will go under the hammer on August 17, 2024.