1971 Plymouth Cuda 440 6-Pack

From Owner:

I love cars like this flawless 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda: numbers-matching, no stories, super-rare, fully restored, 440 6-Pack, with lots of performance-oriented options, a 4-speed, in factory Tuxedo black with black buckets and no vinyl roof. Honestly, does it get any better?
First off, yes, this is a real 4-speed, 440 6-Pack 'Cuda coupe with matching numbers, one of only 108 built in '71. No, it's not a date-coded replacement block, it's not some 440 out of a station wagon that someone dressed up like a 6-Pack, it is the original code E87 440-6, as installed by the factory in April of 1971. The VIN and the cowl numbers match, too, so this 'Cuda is the real deal.

The fender tag reads as follows:

A34 Super Track Pack
N41 Dual exhaust
N42 Chrome dual exhaust tips
R11 Music Master AM radio
B51 Power assisted disc brakes
C55 Bucket seats
J25 3-speed variable wipers
26 26-inch radiator
J45 Hood pins with lanyards
J54 Sport hood
TX9 Tuxedo Black paint
H6X9 Black vinyl interior
E87 440-6 engine
D21 HD 4-speed manual transmission

Nice, isn't it?

It's clear that someone walked into his local Plymouth dealership and ordered this very specific and special car. It looks badass and carries a big stick. This buyer was completely focused on the hardware and performance, choosing the A34 Super Track Pack, disc brakes and a 4-speed. Frivolities like vinyl roofs, tape stripes, spoilers, and other cosmetic add-ons were not part of his agenda. No, this car was built to be a weapon.

The Barracuda changed slightly for 1971, with a new segmented grille and taillights, plus seat and trim differences. This would be the only year that the Barracuda would have four headlights, and also the only year of the fender "gills" on the 'Cuda model. There was no 440 with a 4-barrel carburetor, so if you wanted a 440, the 385-horsepower 6-Pack was the only way to get it. Without a doubt 1971 was the end of an era for E-body lovers. All the cool options and cool colors were gone after the '71 model year. There were no more big block engines or multiple carb set-ups, no more Dana 60's, Shaker hoods, elastomeric bumpers, spoilers or louvers.

What we do have is a thick folder full of receipts on this car. It was subject to a high-quality restoration in 2007, and still shows extremely well. With 1904 miles showing since restoration, it remains in show-worthy condition. To restore this rare 'Cuda, it was completely disassembled and put on a rotisserie. Every single nut & bolt was either refinished or replaced with original/NOS parts. All original factory sheet metal was used, except for a partial trunk pan replacement, and outer quarter skins. These pieces were replaced with original parts from a donor car.

The all-steel body was massaged to perfection and repainted in the correct PPG Deltron TX9 Tuxedo Black paint. The body on this Barracuda is a work of art, and is flawless in every way—if you've ever worked on a black car, you know how hard it is to make them look this good. Every single piece of stainless steel was repaired, straightened and polished to perfection. Every piece of chrome was redone, including the bumpers, trim, and driver's side mirror. The grille, grille surround, headlight bezels, tail light bezel and tail lamps are flawless & perfect.

To match the flawlessly restored exterior, the interior was done to perfection. The original bucket front seats and rear seats were reupholstered using the correct & original black vinyl. New door panels, carpeting and headliner were installed as well. The steering wheel, dash pad, gauges and instrument cluster were properly restored. All interior chrome and stainless steel was properly refinished to show quality. The original 4-speed Pistol Grip shifter appears factory new. The original factory glass was reused, and is in exceptional condition. The trunk has been expertly restored, with the correct, original jack refinished, and a correct inflatable spare tire is present as well. Also present are four brand new 15" Rallye Wheels with center caps and trim rings carrying four 15-inch reproduction Goodyear Polyglas tires.

I know we go on and on about the detailing of the engine compartments in these cars, but there's something special about seeing that bright orange engine in that all-black engine bay. Obviously those are the correct hoses and spark plug wires, and the air filter's authentic, and the motor's the right shade of super glossy orange, and, well, the entire compartment itself is gorgeous. Cool little details are everywhere, though, from the correct, dimpled, and date coded voltage regulator to the ECS Automotive-sourced wiring harness tags to the date coded hoses. You know that it is an original 1971 Sport hood because of the crumple zone creases in the bracing underneath.

Specs & Details:

Auction Date: 29 Dec 2009
No Sale: $149,900
# Bids: -0-
Miles: 1,904
Engine: 8
Transmission: manual
Exterior Color: black
Interior Color: black