Thinking about building a 71 cuda clone

[xpbprox]

I what to get a 72-74 and clone it into a 71. Well not really a clone, I just want the front grill. I've seen a solid 74 (318) for about $9k (I know I can get him down) or maybe a project one for about $4k. I'm willing to spend a little more for the $9k because it's a complete daily driver and I wont have to scavenge for parts. Also I won't be forced to do any work on it, I could enjoy it before it's stripped sittin in my yard for a year or two or three while I'm restoring it.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Don't know much about e bodies, but i think the grill will fit? Atleast that's what I read over there at cuda-challenger

[Budnicks]

Go for it,  if the price is OK with you that's all that matters, I like the 71 cheese grader grill in the Cuda's also...I would think it would fit, maybe some different mounting points or something, but it should fit the opening any way...

[472 R/T SE]

I know it'll work cause I've seen it done before.  No way you'll get into a half ass driver '71 'cuda.

I know I dread the day I have to sell mine.  I really hope we can figure out a way to keep them both.

[doctor4766]

Why not just spend a few more bucks and get this one?

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1970-Plymouth-CUDA-450601.xhtml?conversationId=175629

[bull]

I would do the tail panel too. The '70-'71 tail panels look so much better it isn't even funny.

[Richard Cranium]

Save yourself the money & aggravation and just go out and get yourself a new Challenger. They're a hell of a lot better in every respect than those old E-body rattletrap buckboards. But, if you have that much of a woodrow for the look of a '71 Cuda, there are companies who sell '71 Cuda "conversion" parts for the Challenger.

http://www.tremek.com/forum/general-automotive-talk/41376-challenger-cuda-conversion-coming-soon.html

Yes, I know that you can't turn a Challenger into a Cuda, and that crap isn't for me, but is turning a '73 into a '71 any better?

[Troy]

Save yourself the money & aggravation and just go out and get yourself a new Challenger. They're a hell of a lot better in every respect than those old E-body rattletrap buckboards. But, if you have that much of a woodrow for the look of a '71 Cuda, there are companies who sell '71 Cuda "conversion" parts for the Challenger.

http://www.tremek.com/forum/general-automotive-talk/41376-challenger-cuda-conversion-coming-soon.html

Yes, I know that you can't turn a Challenger into a Cuda, and that crap isn't for me, but is turning a '73 into a '71 any better?

Uhhh, the price of entry is about 5 times higher and the conversion is probably double what he's looking at (and he still doesn't end up with what he wanted).

You can put a 71 'Cuda front end on a 72-74 but I believe you'll need to swap pretty much the whole front clip (except the hood) because of the way the grill is attached. Maybe it's just the header panel though. The grill and fenders (or fender conversions) aren't cheap. The hood can be reused but you'll probably want a 'Cuda hood instead of the flat one. If you get a 73-74 the (5 mph) bumpers and brackets will need swapped as well. The marker lights are different all around. If you're going through that much trouble it definitely makes sense to change the tail panel and lights. I personally like the round tail lights but I'm in the minority.

Troy

[xpbprox]

Why not just spend a few more bucks and get this one?

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1970-Plymouth-CUDA-450601.xhtml?conversationId=175629

I would but its $200,000 to much

You can put a 71 'Cuda front end on a 72-74 but I believe you'll need to swap pretty much the whole front clip (except the hood) because of the way the grill is attached. Maybe it's just the header panel though. The grill and fenders (or fender conversions) aren't cheap. The hood can be reused but you'll probably want a 'Cuda hood instead of the flat one. If you get a 73-74 the (5 mph) bumpers and brackets will need swapped as well. The marker lights are different all around. If you're going through that much trouble it definitely makes sense to change the tail panel and lights. I personally like the round tail lights but I'm in the minority.

Troy

Thanks Troy that gave me a lot to think about, I don't mind spending $$$ to get to where I want to get with the car because I plan on never selling, it will be built to my liking but would it be better to try and look for an actual 71 and spend a few grand more? my budget cap is probably about $7K maybe a little more if all goes right. I think im gonna have to go the 72+ route and just do the conversion in stages rather then forking out the $$ now for a 71.

[Troy]

You're gonna have $2,000 in a 71 grill. Although, I saw that Metro Parts has reproductions now for $900 and then you need the trim so you might get by a little cheaper.

On a car that has so many unique parts it's typically a lot easier to buy what you wanted in the first place. I doubt you'll find a nice driver 'Cuda (any year) for that price. That yellow one was a 318 auto and cost me almost $10k. The pictures you see are "after" - it took a fair amount of work to get it that way and I didn't change anything major.

Troy

[jaak]

71 cuda is one of my dream cars. The days of finding an affordable one is long gone. I still kick myself in the ass I passed on a 71 barracuda probably about 10-12 years ago, it was solid, had all the hard to find 71 parts still intact, /6 car...running for $3500! I thought (back then) 3500 for a 6 banger....they are crazy. Now I know I was the crazy one, lol.

Jason

[4cruzin]

The 71 is also the only year that the cuda had 4 headlights so you will need to modify the front of the 72 and add 2 more headlight mounts.  The header panel is the same for 71-74 . . . 70 was the different one so that should work.  The lower valance in the front is also a 71 only piece.  The bumper brackets will need to be changed also . . .  


I too like round tail lights!