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1-of-12 1971 Plymouth Cuda 440-6 Goes for $960K - Not a Record, But Impressive

It might have missed the $1 million mark, but the $962,500 this 1971 Plymouth Cuda got last week was enough to propel the car in the top ten highest-selling machines in January.
1971 Plymouth Cuda 440-6 25 photos
Photo: Mecum
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The Cuda, which we first talked about in mid-December, was on the lot of car being sold by Mecum during a massive auction that concluded last week in Kissimmee, Florida. It’s a rare example of a rare breed of cars, and apparently someone spared no expense in getting their hands on it.

Made in convertible guise in 1971, the car is one of just 17 to have been equipped that year with the 440 6-BBL (7.2-liter) engine. Equally important, it is one of just 12 with that particular engine, automatic transmission, and convertible body style.

But the engine and its rarity were not the only things that weighed heavily in the Cuda selling for this much. Beautifully preserved and restored, the bright red Plymouth with a black top and interior is mostly original. And it also comes with a host of effective extras, including billboard graphics, chrome trim all over, and chrome 5-spoke road wheels.

Until this January, the car was in possession of a man called Steven Juliano, described as a Mopar aficionado. He sold the car complete with the original broadcast sheet and an odometer that shows just 21,000 miles (34,000 km).

“Juliano’s strong passion for ensuring his cars were restored to the highest level of authenticity and correctness led him on a lifelong pursuit to find the rarest and most exclusive original and NOS parts and components,” the description of the car on the auction house’s lot read.

We are not being told who the new owner is or what his plans for the Cuda are, but don’t be surprised if it pops up once again on the open market, this time certainly targeting a jump over the $1 million threshold.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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