2007 RM Auction, Scottsdale: Hemi 'Cuda convertible brings $2.2 MIL

1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible – Lot 255 $2,200,000 gavel price

Seems like the 11 people who ordered Hemi 'Cuda convertibles in 1971 are pretty much guaranteed a $2-plus million payday if they decide to sell their ragtops. So if any of those owners haven't finished their restorations, you can probably bet that they are working on them as we speak. At RM today, a Hurst pistol-gripped 4-speed sample (1 of 3 like that) brought $2.2 million.

Although well known, the Hemi-powered 'Cudas are fairly rare, which is what makes them so valuable. They were only built in 1970 and 1971, and in '71 Plymouth built just 108 coupes and 11 convertibles. Three are Hurst pistol grip shifted four-speed manual transmission cars, and two are B5 Blue like this particular 'Cuda. See why they command such ridiculous prices now? And one other thing, this car had its stock motor yanked while it was drag raced and then was put back together several years later. The original accurate odometer still reads under 300 miles.

[Source: RM Auctions]