The 1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda is the most valuable American muscle car and the reasons for its value are worth understanding.

First: the Hemi option was the most expensive and most demanding engine available. Most buyers chose the 440. The Hemi 'Cuda is rare because the combination of the desirable E-Body style, the convertible option, and the Hemi engine was ordered by a very small number of buyers.

Second: the 1971 is the last year of the first muscle car era in its pure form. By 1972, compression ratios were dropping and net horsepower ratings were making 1971 engines look better on paper than they were.

Third: the combination of rarity and historical significance creates a story that collectors pay for regardless of the driving experience. The car is a piece of American automotive history.