Author Topic: My 73 Cuda Project  (Read 1845 times)

Offline APXPRED8OR

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My 73 Cuda Project
« on: April 16, 2020 - 10:08:16 AM »
I introduced myself in the newbie section and posted a few pics there of my project. To recap, my son put in to do a father son project. We are both Mopar fanatics and went and looked at a few for sale. Neither one had a clue and I am sure I picked the WORST case to cut my teeth on but I had rose colored glasses on and it was love at first sight! She ran and drove and for $3500 she was coming home with me. I knew nothing about resto work and 5+ years later still don't but I have fell in love with the work. My advice if considering doing this as a first timer (not that ANYONE in their right mind would ask me) is measure, test fit, measure and measure, test fit and measure and test fit and oh yeah did I mention measure EVERYTHING before removing a single flake of rust. :2cents: I have loved every aspect of this process (except the expense, Mopar AMD sheet metal is twice the price as say a Camero, but they are a dime a dozen and really, how many Cuda's do you see at a car show?)My wife not so affectionately refers to her as my "side Chick" but tolerated me so far.




Offline 70chall440

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2020 - 10:13:55 AM »
Great thread thus far, looks forward to seeing more.

You definitely jumped into the deep end right off the bat.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline APXPRED8OR

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2020 - 11:02:18 AM »
A few more pics. Overlook my messy garage. Sand from the sandblaster got everywhere. I would walk up to the house looking like I had been at the beach! Spent months wiping panels with filler to get them perfectly flat, then 3 coats of Featherfill, then block that out. Spent countless hours getting the gaps right or at least good enough for me.

Offline APXPRED8OR

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2020 - 11:05:47 AM »
Yes sir I did! I think I could qualify for the Olympic swim team at this point! :droolingbounce:

Offline 70chall440

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2020 - 11:46:48 AM »
LOL I bet, looks great, what color are you going to paint it?
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline APXPRED8OR

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2020 - 12:38:24 PM »
Thanks. Its going Pepper Gray. I wanted the Dupont 44490 Pepper Gray Fleet (think Elenor) but at $88 bucks a pint I went with Matrix's version of Pepper Gray which in hindsight was not that much cheaper but a beautiful color nonetheless.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2020 - 01:46:30 PM »
Nice! I am going to paint my RR a gun metal grey with a dark tan/light brown interior.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline APXPRED8OR

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2020 - 02:21:05 PM »
 :2thumbs: Way partial to that color as you have guessed. Looks particularly great on something with the angles that a RR has. Can't wait to see it.

Offline 70chall440

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2020 - 02:33:29 PM »
Yeah me either... LOL I have a lot of work to do before it sees any color but first I have to get done with the wagon I am working on for a friend.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline redo1973

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Re: My 73 Cuda Project
« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2020 - 08:12:54 PM »
Cool story.  I was similar and would not have changed a thing. Soak up the memories with your son and family.  The shows will that much more rewarding.  Looking forward to seeing more.