In the realm of classic American muscle cars, the 1971 Plymouth Barracuda—or 'Cuda, as enthusiasts affectionately call it—holds a special place. Its scarcity and desirability, particularly in the convertible format, make it a much-sought-after artifact. While Plymouth manufactured only 666 units in 1970 and a meager 114 in 1971, the first-generation Barracuda with a HEMI engine remains a crown jewel among collectors. But the true unicorns are the convertibles, which fetch prices ranging from $2 to $4 million if you can even find one for sale.
It's not just the HEMI version that makes this model a needle in the haystack; convertibles were indeed an uncommon sight coming off the Plymouth production line. Of the 48,867 Barracudas churned out in 1970, only 2,501 were convertibles, making up 5.1% of the total output. The rarity escalated in 1971 when less than 2% of the 16,492 Barracudas sold came with a retractable roof—just 292 units in total.
Of the 292 convertibles made in 1971, a breakdown reveals seven with HEMI engines, 17 featuring a 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) "Six Pack," and 128 with a four-barrel 338-cubic-inch (6.3-liter) V8. Of these, an astonishing 140 models featured a 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) engine. Many of these rare gems are either languishing in scrapyards or lying dormant in barns, waiting for a second life.
One such barn find is a Sassy Grass green 1971 'Cuda convertible, an example from the 340 V8 batch. Narrowing it down, this particular 'Cuda is even more exceptional given its automatic transmission, making it one of only 102 such units. Coupled with its unique paint and the absence of a console, it may well be a one-of-a-kind vehicle.
Tragically, this rare 'Cuda has been through the wringer. Owned by the same person for several years, it's spent its life stored away in a barn with the intent of eventual restoration. Those plans were thrown into disarray when an unfortunate storm led to a power surge, igniting a fire in the garage where the car was stored. Now bearing the scars of soot and showing significant wear and tear, this 'Cuda’s future was bleak but not hopeless.
Despite setbacks, the owner is resolute in restoring this unique car. The project will undoubtedly take years but given the rising demand and escalating prices for these 340-powered convertibles—now approaching $200,000—it seems the effort will be well worth it. In the end, this story serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of resilience for classic car enthusiasts and restorers alike.
