Good guy ALERT. Larry Roper (hotrod98)

[472 R/T SE]

Hello all.

I don't imagine telling you folks this is any news as anyone who's dealt with Larry know he's a stand up individual.

Not only did he give me a great price on his cherished '71 'cuda, the man changed out the 4 speed transmission with a new TCI automatic, new carpet & misc. new console stuff included in the price.  Not like some folks who would have asked for more money.  Then there's the trunk full of stuff.

I made the mistake of using a jippo outfit to haul the car non enclosed.  It was on the bottom but there were two "newish" rigs on top.  They shouldn't leak...wrong.  When the car got here last night I thought Larry might have gotten carried away with the black since that's the only color that comes out of his paint gun nowadays.

Not to worry.  A quick jaunt to the car wash & the stuff came right off exposing "look at me" red.  The water beaded like crazy.

It's been a weird winter here in the NW.  December is usually the wettest month & it's been clear but cold quite a bit so I'll get to drive again tomorrow.  I sweet talked the lady @ DMV & she hooked me up with the 340 plates.

Never fear folks, there's still good people on this earth & I'm here to tell you Larry & Sandra are two of them.

Allen, your Daytona's in good hands and I'm quite certain you too will be happy.

I put this here since this is where most folks know him.

[FJ5WING]

looks like you got a real nice ride!

good luck with it!

[71ChallengeHer]

Sweet Cuda. Congrats. 

[hemi68charger]

Mike... The car rocks !!!!!!  Do you have any plans yourself to "individualize" it? Larry is a stand up guy and it's via the likes of him we can all feel confident the hobby will flourish.......

Cheers,
Troy

[hotrod98]

Wow...that car was totally spotless when it left here Saturday morning.
I hope you enjoy the car as much as I have. It was a difficult decision to sell it, but it was truly the only way to get the Superbird. I'm glad that it's in good hands and I look forward to hearing more about your adventures.
When I started this whole sell/buy scenario, I was worried about how things would go for everyone. It seems like everything just fell into place for all of us. Given the economy, it's almost a miracle that we all pulled it off so easily. The bird made it to Arkansas just fine, the cuda made it to Portland just fine and the Daytona clone is getting closer to completion every day.

[472 R/T SE]

Hey Troy.  I'm gonna pick up a set of front chin spoilers & sticky tape them on to see if I like them or not.  After the first of the year I'll start on the engine compartment.  Not sure on the red but the motor will definitely be repainted.
If I like the chin spoilers I'll repaint the go wing to match.

I have a buddy who has a real '71 'cuda, gy3 & he thinks I need billboards but I like it the way it is.  There's already a red one local & in Seattle with billboards.

And you're right about reliability Larry.  Every time I hit the key it fires up instantly.  I'm hoping to take it out through the Gorge tomorrow.

[Blown70]

ohhh I am sooo Jealous..... Awesome ride though..... 

[hotrod98]

I've had a lot of people ask me why I painted the wing to match. I thought that there wasn't enough to balance the color out without the billboards.
I would love to see the car with chrome bumpers. When I built the car, I had ordered a set of repro's from year One and they were on permanent back order so I just painted the ones that I had and was going to find some later. I liked the look so I never did buy the chrome ones.  
All of my e-bodies have had the wing painted to match so far.  May try something different on the other 71.
Enjoy your drive tomorrow. Wish I had time to take the Superbird out.  

[472 R/T SE]

I like the bumpers red.  There's no way that will change.  Along with the grill it kinda makes the car what it is.  The fender gills, rocker trim, wheel well trim helps offset the red.   

Kinda funny, you now have a car that the factory painted the wing the same as the body color.  Most people prolly won't know it's suppose to be that way, thinking "Ah, that's how Larry does his cars'" 

[hotrod98]

Seeing the pics of the car makes me miss it a little more. At least I have another 71 to build. I'm not sure which way I'll go on the bumpers on this 71 Cuda, but I'll definitely paint it Tor-Red since that's the original color. I have a lot of e-body parts to choose from. So far, I have a low mileage 5.7 hemi, the 4-speed setup out of your car, the shaker hood setup, rallye wheels and since the car is an original bench seat car, I may alter it to clear the shifter and re-install it. I bought a set of new seat covers for it from Mike at Dayclona. I'll have to have the trim shop cut a notch near the center since the pistol grip shifter will hit it if I don't. I've never seen anyone do that before. You got my oem louvers so no louvers for this car. I'll have to buy a gull wing from FPAP. I'll probably paint it black to balance out the black shaker. No vinyl top though.

First I have to get the Superbird freshened up. First things first.

Here's what my other 71 will look like when finished.

[tan top]

nice looking Cuda     yeah i see what your saying about the body colored Go wing ..... 

[8WHEELER]

Why would anybody want a red car       oops forgot, Good looking car Mike, I look forward
to seeing it in person.

Great time for a drive in the NW, the sun is out, and cold to wake up all the pony's    have fun bud.

Dan

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Congrats on the new ride Mike

[hemi68charger]

... but it was truly the only way to get the Superbird.

I see another future thread in the Aero Cars section....... 

Troy

[Aero426]

I hope you enjoy the car as much as I have. It was a difficult decision to sell it, but it was truly the only way to get the Superbird.

I think you made the right decision.

[hotrod98]

I hope you enjoy the car as much as I have. It was a difficult decision to sell it, but it was truly the only way to get the Superbird.

I think you made the right decision.

I think so. That thinking was reinforced when I put the bird up on the lift and saw how solid it was. I'm very inpressed.

[hemi68charger]

I hope you enjoy the car as much as I have. It was a difficult decision to sell it, but it was truly the only way to get the Superbird.

I think you made the right decision.

I think so. That thinking was reinforced when I put the bird up on the lift and saw how solid it was. I'm very inpressed.

Did you get Janak's old 'Bird?

[hotrod98]

Did you get Janak's old 'Bird?

I bought Tom Ferry's "Black Ice" bird. Originally from El Paso, then to Calfornia and then went to Alaska a few years ago.
It's a 440, 4-speed, bucket seat console car. It now has a 440-6 and custom air grabber hood.

[hemi68charger]

Did you get Janak's old 'Bird?

I bought Tom Ferry's "Black Ice" bird. Originally from El Paso, then to Calfornia and then went to Alaska a few years ago.
It's a 440, 4-speed, bucket seat console car. It now has a 440-6 and custom air grabber hood.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh, so it's the one in your signature......... Sorry for the lack of attention if you mentioned this earlier...... That's a sweet car. Yours and Mike's "Mr. Angry" Daytona would be a perfect photo combo....   

[superbirdtom]

yeah the black bird and the angrier daytona would make a very cool poster

[hotrod98]

yeah the black bird and the angrier daytona would make a very cool poster

I was thinking of just that very thing. I met Mike at Vegas last year. He was with Goldberg at the time.
Maybe I can get with him next year somewhere and have some pics taken of the two cars together.

[moparstuart]

yeah the black bird and the angrier daytona would make a very cool poster

I was thinking of just that very thing. I met Mike at Vegas last year. He was with Goldberg at the time.
Maybe I can get with him next year somewhere and have some pics taken of the two cars together.

mike needs to bring angier to branson in june 

[The70RT]

Great car Mike......enjoy 

[41husk]

Cuda looks great! I have to agree, I would not be able to get the Daytona clone if Larry was not willing to work with me.  Thank You!