Why would anyone do this??

[Super Blue 72]

LOL!  Would that make it a Cara-Cuda or a Barra-van?

[b5blueaar]

hey hotrod98,
when you weld in the gill panels, do you weld solid or just short tacks every 2 inches?

if every 2 inches, are you using the jb weld to fill between the welds?
thanks

[hotrod98]

Weld it all of the way around. Just keep tacking every inch or so to keep the heat down. I usually weld a spot and then cool it down with an air blower. Don't use water to cool it down, it contaminates the weld area. After it's welded all of the way around and then ground down, use the J B Weld to fill the little holes that you always get around the welded area. Just lightly grind the back side of the fender down. Since it's never seen, it's better to leave more weld there on the back side for the strength. Be careful when you grind on the fender, since it can distort the metal. Grind a little and cool it down occasionally. If you distort the fender, it will be difficult to correct. Those punched areas are weak. Let the J B Weld sit overnight, grind it smooth and apply a polyester skim coat. Here's a pic of the 73 fender. I've already J B Welded it and have applied a polyester skim coat.  Note on this fender that I've already recessed the side marker lamps. That's another project.

[gn300]

Are we missing the 70 stripe thats confusing 71 gills, 70 stripe,but mabe he wanted some from every year, so where are the 74 bumperetts?Just kidding.

[AprilsPink72Cuda]

Nice work Hotrod!

[hotrod98]

Believe it or not, my wife insisted on the 70 hockey stick. I told her that we're confusing people enough as it is. When I told her it was the gills or the hockey stick, she wasn't about to give up those gills. So the finished product has gills, color keyed grille, recessed side marker lamps, bumpers painted and tucked in, fuel injection, overdrive transmission, cruise control, A/C and Hopster wheels with Eagle F1 D3 tires.

[Blackcuda]

At Barrett Jackson in AR. early this year, there was a 70 Cuda convertible that had the 71 gills. According to what the owner of the car said, that late in 1970 when the 71's came out. Some dealers would install the gills on left over 70's because people liked them so much. That car had dealer installed gills.
There maybe a pic on the BJ website.