Table of Contents
What Makes the ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible So Special?
There are several reasons for the value of this extraordinary, rare muscle car. We’ve listed a few of them below.
The Production Numbers
For the 1971 model year, Plymouth produced only 6,228 'Cuda vinyl/hardtops and 374 convertibles. Of that total, only 108 units were equipped with the Hemi engine, of which only 11 were convertibles. Nine of those eleven drop-tops had automatic transmissions, and three were built with the four-speed manual. This combination makes the manual shift ‘Cuda the rarest one ever built.
The Hemi Motor
The standard engine for the ‘71 ‘Cuda was the 383 ci. V8 and about 1,867 units were manufactured with the motor (93% were hardtop models, and two-thirds were automatics).
Other engine choices were the 340 ci V8 with a 4-bbl carburetor (275 hp). According to Mopar production records, this car accounted for 3,440 models (only 140 were convertibles, the rest were hardtops, and 2,110 were automatics).
The ‘Cuda could be ordered with the 440 ci “Super Commando” V8 (called the Magnum in Dodge vehicles). The 440 V8 had a “Six-Pack” (3 - 2 bbl carbs stacked). The sales brochure from 1971 indicates that the 440 produced 385 hp, and 254 units were made with this engine (including 17 convertibles).
The Hemi accounted for 108 models and produced 425 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. While it was the most powerful of the V8 options, it was also the most expensive. Plymouth charged around $1,000 for the upgrade. Since many owners did not want to pay the added expense (the extra cost often pushed the price of the ‘Cuda to over four thousand dollars), the 426 Hemi engine didn’t get produced very often.
Those owners who took the Hemi plunge were rewarded with one of the quickest cars on the street. As far as fast goes, the ‘71 ‘Cuda Hemi did 0 - 60 mph in a blistering 5.8 seconds and ran the quarter mile in under 14. (This would make it as fast as the Mustang and the Camaro).
Part of the Hemi mystique was due to its success on the racing circuit. By the time 1971 rolled around, the Hemi had a long history of dominating the sport. When Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 in 1971 (the third time he had won the event with a 426 Hemi) and the season title, it seemed as if no one could beat the 426 Hemi. Considering that just the year before, Buddy Baker drove a Charger Daytona (with a 426) over 200 mph indicates how great this motor truly was.
The Convertible Top
Part of the rarity of the ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda has to do with how few convertibles were made. (Only 11 convertibles were manufactured). Although Plymouth offered a drop-top option, the 1971 salesman’s guide indicates that it was priced about $260 more than the vinyl/hardtop.
There was a general lack of interest in convertible muscle cars, and in 1971, Mopar dropped the convertible option for all Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth lines.
The Transmission
The rare ‘71 Hemi ‘Cuda that just went on sale and didn’t sell (for $4.8 million) has a four-speed manual transmission. The A-833 4-speed manual transmission was a sturdy unit that entered various cars and trucks in the Mopar lineup. The rugged internal components could handle a great deal of high-end torque, which made them ideal for a race off a red light or down the quarter mile at the race track.
The transmission was heavy (primarily due to the cast iron case), weighing over 120 lbs dry without the transfer case.
The Interior
Many interior features were available for owners, like power windows, power steering, Rallye wheels, Rallye instrument panel, center console, and all-vinyl bucket seats. Only three ‘Cuda convertibles were equipped with the Hurst shifter, which lends to their worth as one of the world’s most expensive muscle cars.
The Thrill Of The Drive
Most of us have never been able to drive a rare muscle car but take it from us. It’s a thrill. One of the reasons that this particular 1971 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda is so prevalent in people’s minds is that it epitomizes the nostalgia many people have for muscle cars. The fun of riding in a powerful car, feeling the wind whip past your face, and knowing that you are touching a piece of the muscle car era is a reason to smile. (When we purchase the next ‘71 ‘Cuda, we’ll take you all for a ride).
