What makes this Hemi Cude so special that it is worth $2.765 million
The Hemi Cuda is a legend that epitomizes all that was good about 70s muscle cars. A low mile, original 4-speed Hemi Cuda convertible is a unicorn. What would one cost?
$2.675 million, that is how much.
Amazingly, this was not the only Hemi Cuda to sell for over a million dollars. There were in fact three represented at the same auction, The Mecum auction in Indianapolis. The second one sold for $2.3 million and the third for the $1.65 million. What makes this car so special that it would cost $2.675 million?
First, this car was produced for a very small period of time. In fact, the Hemi-powered Chrysler E-Body convertibles were only made in 1970 and 71. Even then, they were made in very limited quantities.
Even though this car is 46 years old, it has traveled very few miles over the years. In fact, this car has 27,500 original miles. That is less than 600 miles per year. The original engine, transmission and most sheet metal that was on the car when it left the factory over 45 years ago is all there.
This car also came with several extra-cost options such as the Shaker Hood, High Impact FY1 paint and Super Track Pack. The Shaker Hood was new on the E-body cars at the time. It was a fresh-air induction system that came up through the trim-fitted hood opening. There was a practical reason for this hood design. At speed, the scoop would level out allowing for more to enter the carburetor, allowing for improved performance.
According to Tom Hoover, a factory engineer who wrote a book about the Hemi-V8 engine, 1970 was a special year for the iconic engine. The engine, originally built for competition has a mildly detuned version in the Cuda. 1970 was the year that the engine was “civilized”. A new hydraulic cam made it so that the car did not always need to have the valves readjusted. A change in the location of the piston rings made it so that the engine idled quieter. The 426 Hemi, with a 10.25:1 compression also had dual 4-barrel carbs when the industry was moving towards single barrel carbs.
The engine code on this particular Hemi Cuda is E74. Only 14 Hemi Cuda convertibles ever left the factory with that code. Of those, only five had the A833 4-speed transmission.
As previously stated, this particular car is heavily optioned with the A34 Super Track Pak. This package includes the very durable Dana 60 differential with a 4.10:1 Sure Grip gear set, a 26-inch heavy-duty radiator, power front disc brakes and a 7-blade fan. Inside and throughout the vehicle, there are many additional special features that are make this car very unique. All of these options are still there in their original form.
Originally purchased by a businessman from British Columbia as a graduation present for his daughter, the car remained in Canada until 1999. Noted collector, Harold Sullivan imported the car into the United States. Upon its arrival, it was exhaustively inspected and refreshed. The result is what you see here.
All of the parts that the car left the factory with in 1970 are still intact. This applies to all of the paperwork over the vehicle’s life that includes receipts for a professional engine rebuild.
This car recently sold for such an astronomical sum because it was one of five ever produced. Of the five, it was heavily optioned which further distinguishes it from the others. Add to that the vehicle is largely as it was when it left the factory almost fifty years ago, makes it a car that is worth over $2.675 million.
Source: Mecum