Farewell... (new Cuda project)

[471_Magnum]

...to the GTX.

I've been debating for a few days whether or not to make the announcement, but I guess there is no reason to keep it a secret any longer.

As some of you know, I put my 71 GTX on the market shortly after getting it home. Don't want to get into the details, but the bottom line is I never was quite happy with it.

Meanwhile the market went soft and it went unsold for many months.

I finally came to terms with a buyer about two weeks ago, and tomorrow it will be heading to a dealer down in south Texas.

Turn the page on another chapter.

Several months ago, a friend made his half-finished 72 Cuda project available to me. At the time, the finances weren't available, so I had to pass on it. I had just put the GTX on the market.

Fast forward to last week and I ask if the car is still available now that I have sold my GTX. Sure enough, it is.

Right to the point, within the next week or so, I'll be dragging it home.

The pictures tell the tale. I'm still trying to absorb all the details myself. The package includes a boatload of parts; most everything needed to finish it.

As you can see, it has a six-point cage and reinforced lower radiator support. It also has the subframes tied. It will be a very tight car.

Suspension will be stock configuration. Nothing fancy.

Don't have any mechanical specs to report at this point. It comes with a ready to assemble 440, and a 4-speed set-up. That's all subject to change though. It will likely get a big block and certainly a manual transmission, but budget will determine where I go with it.

First order of business will be to get the suspension under it, but I've got to get some brakes before I can do that. Next I'll install the interior. Once all that is done I'll decide what to do for a motor.

Needless to say, I'm pretty excited. It will surely be a long project, as I'm determined to resist the temptation to whip out the platiinum card just to keep things moving along. This will strictly be pay as I go.

I'm now three Mopars removed from having owned a Charger, but the Charger-spin on the deal is that one of the reasons the Cuda is being sold is to free up time and money to devote to a '69 Charger RT/SE restoration.

[471_Magnum]

Couple more pics of it mocked-up on the wheels and tires.

[TUFCAT]

Looks like it will be a really neat car when done. 

[69charger2002]

it's been kinda fun to follow along with your mopar stories.. kind of like a mini website.. is the roadrunner going to texastoybox? or lucasmopars??  good luck with your cuda, keep us updated

[471_Magnum]

it's been kinda fun to follow along with your mopar stories.. kind of like a mini website.. is the roadrunner going to texastoybox? or lucasmopars?? good luck with your cuda, keep us updated

The last 18 months have been rough. Not much fun at all in terms of Mopars. I gave serious thought to just walking away from it for a while.

GTX is going to Lucas... in fact it's already listed on the website.

[The70RT]

NICE. Looks like all the fun stuff is about to start 

[FLG]

Car looks sweet 

Never down with the fancy rims and skinny tires but they work nicley here

Quick question, excuse the ignorance but what is accomplished by reinforcing the lower rad support?

[Ghoste]

Looks like it's time to cahnge your sig photo again.

[1969chargerrtse]

Wow, nice looking car there.  Should be a good amount of fun ahead of you.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Well Jim, I hope the title to your thread doesnt imply saying farewell to the site?  Just to the GTX right

'Cuda loks like it will be a nice candidate for some XV stuff

PS---who has the 69 RT/SE?  The guy you bought the 'Cuda from?

Ahem---- www.1969chargerregistry.com 

[69charger2002]

it's been kinda fun to follow along with your mopar stories.. kind of like a mini website.. is the roadrunner going to texastoybox? or lucasmopars?? good luck with your cuda, keep us updated

The last 18 months have been rough. Not much fun at all in terms of Mopars. I gave serious thought to just walking away from it for a while.

GTX is going to Lucas... in fact it's already listed on the website.

well please don't think i meant it was fun to keep up with your misfortunes.. didn't mean it that way at all. just interesting is all. glad you're sticking it out, things will turn 

[Troy]

I saw that your ad on Moparts had changed to "Sold" and I wondered if we'd hear the story. I have a soft spot for the 72-74 Cudas so I definitely like the new car! Hopefully you'll be happier with it since you'll be there for most of the build.

Troy

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

Sorry to hear that, I was hoping to see the GTX on the Tour this past summer.  Guess I'll have the 72 Cuda to see on the next one?

Good luck

[471_Magnum]

well please don't think i meant it was fun to keep up with your misfortunes.. didn't mean it that way at all. just interesting is all. glad you're sticking it out, things will turn

No offense taken. I've definitely had to laugh at my own misfortune to keep my sanity. When I cease to enjoy the challenges inherent to these cars, it's time to get out. I definitely came close this past year.

The major attraction of the Cuda is the fact I get to do all of the assembly and mechanical work myself. I don't have to trust anyone else to make it right. I'll have plenty of sweat equity in it, which will build a bond.

I still have interest in those cursed 71-71 B-body Plymouths. Someday I'd like to own another. If the right one should become available, I might have to find a way to drag it home.

Well Jim, I hope the title to your thread doesnt imply saying farewell to the site? Just to the GTX right

I'll still be hanging out here. I still enjoy talking about Chargers even though I no longer have one in my garage. I've got plenty of ideas for this Cuda that I'll need to bounce of someone.

Sorry to hear that, I was hoping to see the GTX on the Tour this past summer. Guess I'll have the 72 Cuda to see on the next one?

I intend to build the car as a multipurpose street/strip/tourer, much like the Charger. It will be at home on the track, or blasting down the interstate. Another Hot Rod Power Tour is definitely a goal, but 2009 probably won't be the year. There is just too much work in front of me, and the budget dictates I can not set an aggressive deadline.

[ramit]

Nice looking Cuda!   

[69bronzeT5]

Speaking of Lucas Mopars...isn't this Paul (Pocket Thunder)'s old '68?

http://www.autorevolution.com/inv/vehicle.cfm?vid=308650&selid=712&refby=dealersite

[PocketThunder]

Speaking of Lucas Mopars...isn't this Paul (Pocket Thunder)'s old '68?

http://www.autorevolution.com/inv/vehicle.cfm?vid=308650&selid=712&refby=dealersite

Yes sir.

[Dans 68]

Speaking of Lucas Mopars...isn't this Paul (Pocket Thunder)'s old '68?

http://www.autorevolution.com/inv/vehicle.cfm?vid=308650&selid=712&refby=dealersite

Yes sir.

s/b "Yes, young man"   

I guess I should have bought it, right Paul?    $34,500??? What was added to it besides wheels and tires? 

Dan

EDIT: Oh, and nice Cuda by the way! 

[Blown70]

Car looks sweet 

Never down with the fancy rims and skinny tires but they work nicley here

Quick question, excuse the ignorance but what is accomplished by reinforcing the lower rad support?

Being the K-frame is close there  give some extra support to the suspension.  EXP with any sort of cornering. 

[Charger_Fan]

Well, I'm glad you told us the story, even though some of it bittersweet for you. The Cuda looks pretty cool, we'll enjoy seeing your progress.

BTW, I like that guy's garage. (I know, big shocker )

[FLG]

Thanks Blown,

Is something like this advisable for any mopar? (especially if the engine is going to be pushing out alot more HP and torque then stock)

[TUFCAT]

Speaking of Lucas Mopars...isn't this Paul (Pocket Thunder)'s old '68?

http://www.autorevolution.com/inv/vehicle.cfm?vid=308650&selid=712&refby=dealersite

Yes sir.

The price keeps going up every time I see it!

[Blown70]

Thanks Blown,

Is something like this advisable for any mopar? (especially if the engine is going to be pushing out alot more HP and torque then stock)

Usually not as much of a concern for stright line.  More Pro-touring ie, chassis twist or torque,  I personally think it is a worthy upgrade for any car that will be driven any significant amount.

[471_Magnum]

That crossmember reinforcement is copied from the XV set-up.

The local chassis shop that installed this and the cage does some amazing work. The welds on the cage need to be seen to be appreciated. They also back-braced the 8.75.

I now feel obligated to build a motor fast enough to justify the rest of the package.

[FLG]

I say you build a stroker 

[4aThrill]

Sweet lookin ride    so how big is your garage? got heated floors?

[Ghoste]

Heated floors?  It's like the semi-tropics where he lives. 

[471_Magnum]

Those pictures weren't taken in my garage. Mine is a bit more modest.

I say you build a stroker

That my friend, is an excellent topic for another thread.

[TheAutoArchaeologist]

Well then I hope to atleast see you there, in some sort of vehicle!

Ryan

[firefighter3931]

Nice straight car....excellent starting point. All the hard work is done (body & paint) and you just get to do the Fun Stuff 

Not a fan of the oversized wheels but other than that it looks very sharp. The Rollbar & Frame ties will make a huge difference....you'll luv how tight the car feels and drives. 



Ron

[bakerhillpins]

Looks great to me!

I am not a big fan of oversized wheels in general either but I like the wheels in this setup. It is getting marginal on being too big though. I really hate when the rims get soooooo big that it requires the really low profile tires. Those are just hideous! 

[471_Magnum]

This car is going to have fairly big brakes... probably Cobra brakes from Dr Diff, 13s front and 11s rear... so the bigger wheels are necessary. Not going to get those brakes behind 15's.

I feel the same way about o-ring tires. Definitely have to have some sidewall. FWIW, those are 285 40 18s out back Wheels are Foose.

[moparstuart]

reminds me alot of this pro touring cuda  , just saw this car again at monster mopar a week ago !  It has a 6.1 hemi in it .
 TThe square steering wheel is very strange ?

[471_Magnum]

Interesting!

Mine will be a much lower budget version of that car.

[moparstuart]

It has modern headlights and a wild LED taillamp set up all across the rear of the cars roof . Was wild seeing it run around branson missouri at night .

   here is the 6.1 and sorry for the blury rear shot but all i had !

[TUFCAT]

Wow. It totally looks like that car! ....very cool indeed.   

[moparstuart]

Wow. It totally looks like that car! ....very cool indeed.   

I like the lighter silver color on 471's car , but they are very similar projects.

[471_Magnum]

While working on cleaning out my garage in preparation for the new arrival, I had an idea pop into my head.

Rather than go with the 18" Foose wheels, I'm thinking maybe going with some MiniLite-style Vintage Wheel Works V48s. That would give the car a Trans Am theme:




As stated before, I'll be running 13" brakes, so 17" or bigger wheels are required. The V48s are available in 17's.

I think the car would have a more classic, less trendy appearance.

Thoughts?

[The70RT]

I like em 

[471_Magnum]

Another factor worth noting is that the Foose wheels retail for about $750 each, the V48s are about $375. The 17" tires will run less than the 18s as well. That makes this a potential fund raising opportunity.

It's not that I don't like the Foose wheels, but at the end of the day, rolling around on $4000 worth of wheels and tires really isn't my style. Bling ain't my thing. I more of a form following function type of guy.

[The70RT]

I like the aluminum 17" magnums but are like 500 each. That was a couple years ago. Probably more by now.

[Ghoste]

Go with the TA look man, not enough E-bodies running that Minilite theme.

[471_Magnum]

I need to find the specs on that 71 pictured. It was on ebay recently, and has been featured in a magazine, but I can't find any info.

I'm guessing it has been mini-tubbed. Those tires have to be 305s or something like that. They're huge.

Problem with the V48s is that they don't come in 18's, and 17" tire selection is really limited if you want something around 27"-28" tall. Been down this road before with the Charger.

EDIT: Found something
http://www.memorylaneclassiccars.com/71challenger/1971_dodge_hemi_challenger.htm

Those are 335-35-17s. YIKES! Don't think that will fit in a stock wheel opening. 

[firefighter3931]

I like the 17's on an e-body. Rob (kamcuda) has 17x9's out back and 17x7's up front with 275/50/17 & 225/50/17 tires and it looks fantastic. The wheels are centerlines and the tires are Falken.....handles soooo much nicer than the old BFG's /rally wheels.   



Ron

[471_Magnum]

Yep. The Falkens shown, Nitto NT450s, and M&H drag radials are your only choices in a 275-50-17.

I ran the Nittos on the Charger a while back. Car handled okay, but they wouldn't hook for sh*t. Really heavy tires to boot. Better suited for an SUV than a muscle car.

[471_Magnum]

Here a good example of a Cuda on V48s.



He's running 275-40-17s out back, which are about 26" tall. I'd like something with a bit more sidewall, but it doesn't look bad.

[kamkuda]

Yep. The Falkens shown, Nitto NT450s, and M&H drag radials are your only choices in a 275-50-17.

I ran the Nittos on the Charger a while back. Car handled okay, but they wouldn't hook for sh*t. Really heavy tires to boot. Better suited for an SUV than a muscle car.

The Falkens don't hook either and they are heavy, but choices are limited and it does handle very well.
I Love the look of your new cuda

[GeneralLeeTESH]

Man alive-that CUDA is AWESOME !  I love the Pistol Grip on it with the custom console ! Steering wheel is awesome, also !