Post by ferrari512s on Apr 6, 2014 17:05:09 GMT -5
1971 PLYMOUTH HEMI ‘CUDA CONVERTIBLE
The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™ to Feature One of Only 11 HEMI ‘Cuda Convertibles Ever Built.
1971 PLYMOUTH HEMI ‘CUDA CONVERTIBLE Scottsdale, Ariz. – (October 8, 2012) – Barrett-Jackson, the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions™
It was announced today that it will offer one of the most desirable Mopar muscle cars ever built!
The FC7-In Violet Plymouth HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible, one of one in 1971 – as part of its exclusive Salon Collection at its famed Scottsdale auction, January 19, 2013.
The vehicle best-known for its “Plum Crazy” color will be alongside other incredible vehicles up for sale at the 42nd annual auction January 13-20, 2013, under the company’s iconic quarter-mile tent.
Through a miraculous turn of events, it was rediscovered by long-time HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible hunter, Harold Sullivan, after the car was stolen nearly 30 years prior.
When Sullivan found the ‘Cuda shell on New Year’s Eve in 2001 it was covered in weeds and underbrush and only five days away from disappearing into a scrap-recycling yard.
After an extensive two-year restoration preparation by Cummins Restoration in Grand Haven, Mich., the HEMI ‘Cuda was completed by Ted Mazurek at Sullivan’s shop in Madison Heights, Mich.
This uniquely-painted HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible was inspected, authenticated and appraised to the highest museum standards by Mopar guru, Galen Govier, after its restoration.
The dedication Sullivan showed to this vehicle for many years ago paid off when the 1971 HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible took top honors at the 2005 Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance.
As one of only 11 ever made, this particular HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible features the last factory-assembled 426cid HEMI V8 engine, with two 4 barrel carburetors, 727 automatic transmission, Super Track Pak package with Dana 60 rear end, 4.11 ratio gears and a power convertible top.
This was also the only model year the ‘Cuda sported four headlights and fender “gills.”
“As an owner of a 1970 HEMI ‘Cuda Convertible, I am very excited to have such a memorable vehicle crossing the block with us in January,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson.
”It is a true automotive milestone and extraordinary example of ‘American Muscle’ at its finest.
This year’s Salon offering is the best of the best, and is sure to attract not only Barrett-Jackson bidding veterans but also new bidders.”
Out of the 11 HEMI ‘Cuda Convertibles ever built, seven vehicles were sent to the U.S. and two of them were exported to England.
As one of only two convertibles made for Canadian export, this vehicle was featured in Canadian Hot Rods and on the October 2011 cover of Mopar Action.
“After seeing the enthusiastic reaction of automotive fans and event attendees at our Las Vegas auction, we can feel the excitement and growing buzz around Scottsdale,” said Steve Davis, president, Barrett-Jackson.
“We are confident that this rare HEMI ‘Cuda and its fascinating history will draw a large crowd at January’s auction.”
Source
news.barrett-jackson.com/barrett-jackson-scottsdales-2013-salon-collection-to-include-rare-1971-plymouth-hemi-cuda-convertible/
Review
The ‘71 Plymouth Barracuda was very underrated car at the time.
With a few changes coming to the ‘71 the new grille gave the appearance of the car having teeth like a Barracuda, and, for the first (and only) time the Barracuda had quad headlamps.
A 225 CID version of the “Slant” I-6 was available and there were two V8 displacements to choose from – a base 318-2, and a 2 or 4-Bbl 383.
On the performance ‘Cuda model, chrome simulated inset fender louvers suggested gills.
The standard engine was the 383-4, 440 with your choice of a 4-barrel Super Commando and a 6 barrel Super Commando optional.
At the top was the 426 8-BBl Hemi – the last year it would be produced.
The 440 and Hemi- equipped cars were upgraded when it came to suspension components and structural reinforcements to help with transferring all the torque to the road.
Those looking for improved handling or insurance cost reductions could “opt down” for the smallblock 340-4 (which cost $44 more!)
The optional shaker hood scoop was now flat black to address glare issues.
There was also a luxo model, the Gran Coupe. The AAR disappeared for 1971.
1971 ended up being the last year for the Barracuda convertible; with just 1,385 convertible sales, one can see why.
Overall, production was even more disappointing than in 1970, falling from 54,800 to 18,690.
Then there was the beloved ‘Cuda that had the 383, 440 with a 4-barrel super commando and a 6 barrel super commando Six Pack, and 426 Hemi the 440 and Hemi- equipped cars were given a little upgrade when it came to suspension components and structural reinforcements to help with transferring all the power it produced to the road.
1971 ended up being the last year for the Barracuda convertible; with just 1,385 convertible sales, one can see why.
Production was even more disappointing than in 1970, falling from 54,800 to 18,690.
Source
myclassicgarage.com/marketplace/knowledge_base/1971-plymouth-barracuda
Feature Article from Hemmings Motor News
June, 2013 - Mike McNessor
In 2007, car writers were predicting $5 million price tags for 1971 Hemi 'Cuda convertibles, but the 2008 U.S. financial meltdown deflated many collector-car values like a stray roofing nail in the tread of a Goodyear Polyglas.
So what is the most prized of fishes in the sea selling for today?
With 11 built, 1971 Hemi 'Cuda convertibles are extremely rare, so values are based solely on known sales.
That said, the most recent example to change hands publicly is the car pictured here: a Plum Crazy 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible that sold for $1,320,000 at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in January.
This car was reconstructed from little more than a shell, rescued from the scrap¬yard, as the story goes, in 2001.
The fact that it wasn't an untouched original car probably had some impact on its value, but it's safe to say that the car would've fetched considerably more at the height of the easy-credit, subprime-mortgage lunacy.
While the '71 Hemi 'Cuda has experienced a price correction, its stock will continue to rise as long as there are baby boomers with deep pockets willing to bid against each other for the honor of owning one of the most audacious muscle cars of all time.
This is especially true now that multimillion dollar sales are part of the Hemi 'Cuda legend, making these cars an even more impressive trophy.
At the end of the 20th century, no one would've guessed that 1971 Hemi 'Cuda convertible prices would roar past the seven-figure mark, but these machines were definitely helping to spearhead the muscle car value charge.
In 1999, a new high-water mark for '71 Hemi 'Cuda convertible prices was set at an alarming $410,000.
A few years later, a Hemi 'Cuda convertible sold for a reported $1 million, to the collective gasp of collectors everywhere.
In 2004, noted collector Bill Weimann sold one of his 'Cudas for $3 million and later turned down more than $4 million for another. Yikes.
Perhaps what's most remarkable about the high prices attached to Hemi 'Cudas is that they aren't particularly remarkable automobiles.
'Cudas, Hemi-powered, convertible or otherwise, weren't hand produced from exotic materials by some storied performance automobile manufacturer.
Moreover, they weren't produced in limited quantities by design.
These were mass-produced Plymouths that didn't sell well because, when loaded with the $883 Hemi engine on top of the $3,291 base price for a convertible, they were really expensive.
They had also become really expensive to insure.
As a consequence of the latter, 1971 would be the last year for the vaunted 426 Hemi in the E-body.
New for 1971, the 'Cuda sported a "cheese-grater" grille with quad headlamps, and a quartet of nonfunctional gills was added to the sides of the front fenders.
At the rear, 'Cuda buyers could order enormous "billboard" decals that began on the door with a callout of the car's engine size (or the word "Hemi" for the Hemi) then extended back over almost the entire quarter panel.
The iconic Shaker Hood was standard with the Hemi engine and optional on 340 and 383 four-barrel as well as 440 six-barrel engines.
In 1971, only 6,228 'Cuda hardtops and 374 convertibles were built.
A scant 108 hardtops were built with Hemis and just 11 convertibles had Street Hemi power. Four-speed manual Hemi 'Cuda convertibles are the rarest of all with just three built.
Value Trend
1993: $250,000
1998: $410,000
2003: $1,000,000
2008: $3,000,000
2013: $1,200,000
Source
www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/2013/06/01/hmn_feature18.html
Gallary
Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Diecast Models
There are some die-cast companies that have made the 1971 Plymouth 'Cuda. Hot Wheels being one of them that landed the Cuda in 1997.