Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?

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    Author Topic: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?  (Read 2626 times)

    Offline miketyler

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    Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « on: August 23, 2004 - 12:19:29 PM »
    OK, still have not found my ultimate plum crazy 1970 cuda and I am not giving up yet. However, chances are I am going to end up with a different year model then the 1970. I know this will piss off the purists out there but just how much trouble and expen$e is it to change out the grille and back plate to make a 70 look-alike?

    Are there repros of these available?   
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    Offline MAXcuda

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #1 on: August 23, 2004 - 01:05:40 PM »
    the back panel is available from year one i believe and tail lights are usually cheap, but be prepared to fork over more than $1000 for a '70 grille as they are not yet being reproduced.  taboo?  well the jury's still out on that   ;)
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    Offline Rev-It-Up

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #2 on: August 23, 2004 - 01:18:07 PM »
    If you own the title...nothing is taboo.  However, if its a numbers matching car and you change it...some of us might shed a tear.  But, if you keep all the original parts and either put them back on or include them if you ever sell, that's ok.  But, if you ever make a 4X4 out of it...we might have to slap you around a bit!  ;D
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    Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #3 on: August 23, 2004 - 06:14:56 PM »
    miketyler,
      That's a great question. I'm a Chally guy, but if Cuda's are the same, you have much work to do if you buy a 72-74 model. I wish I could offer more advice, but I think you might have to get very familiar with a welding tool.

      Mike
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    Mike

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    Offline 4Cruizn

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #4 on: August 23, 2004 - 06:36:21 PM »
    With the 70 cuda grill, that year used a special valance that holds the grill in place!  Then I believe the wiring harness is also different since the grill has the turn signals mounted into it.   Finding a grill can be alittle difficult and will cost some cash!!  Headlight buckets are also going to cost . . . . and don't forget about the chrome trim that goes all around that grill!!  :P   No one that I know of is reproducing that trim!  ??? The marker lights on the fender and rear quarter will be different but not that difficult and also the front spoiler (under the grill)  is different too! 

    Just a few things that I thought of. . . .   :P   ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
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    Offline torredcuda

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #5 on: August 24, 2004 - 07:10:05 PM »
    If you are buying a project that needs work anyway it wouldn`t be that much more but as said `70 grille and assorted parts will cost.The tail panel that houses the lights does take a fair amount of work,cutting,welding and all the finish work and to do it correctly the side marker lights would also need to be cut out and `70 styles welded in.My two cents-find a `70 to start with,you can always just change the color and options.
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    Jeff
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    Offline 360 'CUDA

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #6 on: August 24, 2004 - 09:26:29 PM »
    And nowadays any Plymouth E-body is gonna get the attention it deserves

    I was driving my '74 the other night when I was stopped at a stop sign.
    Some chebbie  four door goes by with a blond teenage girl hanging out the window waving her
    arms and screaming OHHHMYYGODDDLOOKATTHAATcarrrr......

    I know it was wasted on a 39 and a half year old married guy but in the old days I would have
    turned the blinker the other way and gone after that ;)

    As it was I just continued down to the dairy queen :P
    « Last Edit: August 24, 2004 - 09:35:10 PM by 360cuda »
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    Offline 360 'CUDA

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #7 on: August 24, 2004 - 09:34:02 PM »
    Oh, I got carried away again  sorry.

    cutting a good panel out of a dent/rust free car is not the best idea but if you really need to have
    a '70 then make whatever you want.

    I like the look of all E-bodies so you can't go wrong but the '70s parts cost are going through the
    roof and if you wreck it.....
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    Offline miketyler

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #8 on: August 25, 2004 - 07:29:05 AM »
    I understand - maybe after I buy the car the round tailights and later model grille will grow on me....but the 70 is so cool. oh well

    I cant believe with all the demand that no one is repro-ing the 70 grille. Just my opinion but it seems like that would be a great investment since it seems that a lot of owners out there prefer the clean and simple lines of the 70 model grille.

    « Last Edit: September 15, 2004 - 03:03:12 PM by miketyler »
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    Offline 360 'CUDA

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #9 on: August 25, 2004 - 09:46:12 PM »
    I think DC is shutting them down
    Every once in a while I see them at the swaps and the next time I go no one has heard of 'em

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    Offline oldvamoparfan

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #10 on: August 25, 2004 - 10:10:55 PM »
    Having owned a new '70 Cuda myself, I feel I am qualified to address this issue.  It truly was a great car, & I got more compliments on it than anything I ever owned, but I honestly enjoy Steves' '73 w/ 440 just about as much (round tail lights & all!!!).  His car is a '73 only color (moss green) which is close to lime but not quite.  His car gets as many or more looks & questions as about any thing we see at the shows, & on the road.  One thing else they have in common;  that wonderful torquey big block motor!!!!  Nothing else is like it.  I know the small blocks are fast too (I have owned 2 w/ a really good 360), but a big block has all that HP & torque w/ little or no work on it.  And if you really want to go crazy, the sky is the limit.  I now have a '72 Challenger I am reworking  (360) & fully expect to thoroughly enjoy it.  Guys, any E body, any model can be a real fun experience, so dont worry so much about the year as the condition & its potential.  Besides, all '72 & later have disc brakes, & can usually be bought for less.  Just enjoy,  OK????    Ovmf

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    Offline oldvamoparfan

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #11 on: August 25, 2004 - 10:17:24 PM »
    This is the original Cuda.    Ovmf

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    Offline miketyler

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    Re: Is it taboo to change the front grille and back panel?
    « Reply #12 on: August 27, 2004 - 09:15:02 PM »
    I think you are right - once I purchase the 72, perhaps it will grow on me.

    I have grown up idolizing the 1970 'cuda. Its front end and rear end have been in my mind so long, it's like the ultimate mopar - kind of like this bimbo blonde cheerleader in high school that everyone HAD to have. She had a front end and rear end no one could forget.

    Anyhow, if all goes as planned I will own a 'Cuda again very soon. 
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