Story
The 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda is the last-year E-body hardtop that puts the 426 Street Hemi into Plymouth's one-year-only quad-headlamp and fender-gill body. It is not a separate tuner model; it is the factory Cuda performance trim with the R-code Hemi drivetrain.
The reviewed source trail supports the core hardware: 426 cubic inches, dual four-barrel carburetion, 425 gross horsepower, 490 lb-ft of torque, a Shaker hood listed as standard with Hemi, and either A833 four-speed or TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Over-Drive's 1971 Barracuda fact sheet also gives the Hemi rear-gear pattern: 3.54 standard and 4.10 optional for four-speeds, 3.23 standard and 3.55 or 4.10 optional for automatics, with Sure-Grip available.
Production is intentionally stated as reported hardtop production rather than a universal Hemi Cuda count. Hot Rod and auction/reference sources commonly cite 107 or 108 1971 Hemi Cuda hardtops; this page uses 108 with a 59 four-speed and 49 automatic split, while keeping the ultra-rare 1971 Hemi Cuda convertible as a separate planned page.
The gallery uses exact 1971 Hemi Cuda exterior and engine images where available, broader licensed 1971 Cuda photos for model-family details, and source cards for production, drivetrain, paint, trim, and authenticity evidence.