One of the rarest muscle cars ever built by Plymouth is preparing to cross the auction block later this month, and collectors are expected to pay close attention. A 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda equipped with its original matching-numbers drivetrain is set to be offered at Mecum’s Monterey 2026 auction.
The car is exceptionally rare, as it is one of only 59 Hemi Cuda hardtops built for the 1971 model year with the desirable factory four-speed manual transmission. Mecum estimates it could sell for between $850,000 and $900,000 when bidding begins on August 14.
Beyond its limited production numbers, the car has undergone a professional restoration using a large number of New Old Stock (NOS) components. It also retains its original 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8, correct A833 four-speed manual gearbox, and factory A33 Track Pak drivetrain.
For Mopar enthusiasts, examples like this rarely come to market. Its combination of rarity, originality, factory documentation, and restoration quality makes it one of the headline consignments of this year’s Monterey auction.
One Of Only 59 Factory Four-Speed Cars
The 1971 model year occupies a special place in Hemi Cuda history. It was not only the final full year of Chrysler’s legendary muscle car era, but also the only year the E-body Cuda featured its distinctive quad-headlight front end.
Production numbers were extremely limited. Plymouth built just 59 Hemi Cuda hardtops equipped with the 426 Hemi engine and factory four-speed manual transmission, making them some of the most desirable American muscle cars ever produced.
This particular example retains its original body along with its matching-numbers engine and transmission, two features that significantly enhance its desirability among serious collectors.
Factory Performance Package Still Intact
Power comes from the original 426-cubic-inch Hemi V8, factory rated at 425 horsepower. The legendary engine is paired with the correct A833 four-speed manual transmission and Chrysler’s A33 Track Pak package.
The Track Pak included a 3.54 Sure Grip rear differential along with heavy-duty driveline components designed to handle the Hemi’s immense power. Together, they created one of the most capable factory performance packages available during the muscle car era.
Additional factory features include power brakes, a Shaker hood with tie-down pins, elastomeric bumpers, and optional Rallye wheels wrapped in period-correct Goodyear Polyglas GT tires.
Restored With Authentic NOS Parts
According to Mecum, the Hemi Cuda has received a professional restoration that relied heavily on New Old Stock parts rather than modern reproductions. That approach is particularly important for collectors seeking the highest levels of authenticity.
The car is also accompanied by a Dave Wise inspection report, one of the most respected forms of documentation in the Mopar collector community. That independent inspection helps verify the vehicle’s originality and factory specifications before bidding begins.
Its factory billboard graphics, red exterior, black interior, and matching drivetrain combine to create one of the most desirable configurations available for a 1971 Hemi Cuda.
A Major Attraction At Monterey
Mecum expects the rare Plymouth to bring between $850,000 and $900,000 when it crosses the auction block as Lot F135 on August 14. Given the car’s rarity and documentation, many collectors will be watching closely to see where the bidding ultimately lands.
With only 59 factory four-speed, hemi-powered hardtops ever built and even fewer surviving in highly original condition, opportunities like this rarely come around. The final sale price could also serve as another important benchmark for the upper end of the classic Mopar market.
If you had the chance, would you spend nearly $1 million on a numbers-matching Hemi Cuda, or would you choose a different classic muscle car for that kind of money? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.