Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...

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Offline DeanP

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Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« on: October 11, 2010 - 12:55:02 PM »
Hi there,
I'm shopping around for a 71 Cuda or clone.  I saw this black '71 online for sale.  I was wondering if you guys can tell me how much it is worth because I know it's not a true cuda, but a Gran Coupe instead based on the "BP" VIN.  I can't afford the 45K, but wanted to know from you guys if it looks like a decent clone and how much I can talk him down in price.

Thanks,
Dean

http://www.fastlanecars.com/Public/Vehicle_Detail.aspx






Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #1 on: October 11, 2010 - 01:04:47 PM »
I am by far no expert on pricing, so give what I say less weight, but that seems awfully pricey to me. In this market, for a tribute car, even if it was completely perfect I'd expect it to go for a lot less.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

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Offline tommyg29

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #2 on: October 11, 2010 - 01:11:09 PM »
 :iagree:
His prices in general seem very high. Looks like one of those dealers who has a history??, but I dont know this dealer specifically. Maybe someone on here knows or has experience with the dealership. I wouldnt seriously consider it unless I could get a documented picture history of the "resto", etc. which I'd be surprised if you could get it.
Anyways, it looks like a decent car, but not #s matching and a little rough here and there tells me maybe $30k at most, depending on if everything works.
My advice is keep looking. You may have to travel but there are nicer cars available for a lot less $.
Check cudaworld.com, autotrader classic, EBay, racing junk etc.
Take your time. Took me months to find my dream car, and it was much nicer for a lot less.
Traveled 1500 miles to check it out, and spent $1200 to have it closed trailered home, but it was worth it.
« Last Edit: October 11, 2010 - 01:16:21 PM by tommyg29 »
72 Roadrunner 400-4 Auto-3.23 Gear-Black Cruiser
71 Cuda 440-6 Tribute-Limelight-A833 Close Ratio-4 Sp-Pistol Grip-Dana 3.54 Powr Lok-Rally Dash-Shaker (Sold)
92 Dodge Stealth RT-Twin 15g Turbos-SAFC2 Tuned-Mystic Blue-5 Sp-AWD-Rear Wheel Steering-AutoX'r (Sold)
12 Dodge Charger SXT Plus Blacktop Package-3.6L-8 Sp-Leather-Nav (the wife's)

Multiple SRT's, Rams, Dakotas, Caravans and Neons

...the lines on the road just look like dots!....

Offline DeanP

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #3 on: October 11, 2010 - 01:27:57 PM »
Thanks for the input so far guys.  My budget is 35K, so do you think I can get a TRUE 71 Cuda hardtop, decent/good driver, definitely not a trailer queen.

Thanks again,
Dean

Offline JH27N0B

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2010 - 01:36:35 PM »
I'm 99.99% sure that is a car I was interested in at the Mecum auction last month in IL.  As soon as I saw the car in person, my interest disappeared.  The car was sort of a pile.  It looked like the trunk was open so I went to lift it and found it was actually latched closed, but the rear of the decklid was so misalingned it made it look like the trunk was open!  And as I was trying to lift it to inspect the trunk, a piece of the rear chrome trim started to come loose in my hand! I don't think there was a panel on that car that lined up properly. :eek4:
It bid up to $29,500 at the auction reserve not met, and if that was real money, the seller should have taken the money and ran! I wouldn't have paid 20K for that car.
Its a buyers market right now, keep looking and you should find a nice cuda for a good price! :thumbsup:

Alaskan_TA

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2010 - 01:49:16 PM »
Avoid the middle man & the markup. Look for a private seller vs. a broker / used car dealer.  :2cents:

Offline BB73Challenger

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2010 - 05:52:16 PM »
With the '71 Cuda being a somewhat of a 1 year deal ( I'm assuming it is the headlights, grill and gilled fenders that draw you to '71 specifically ) a true '71 will demand a little more money.
Things to weigh in on also is drivetrain. I see the Cuda you had looked at was a 383 car.
Again big blocks only being offered from the factory for 70 & 71 again bring up the price for an original.

The market has been hurting lately, with deals to be had ALL the time right now.
Keep you eyes open, ask lots of questions, and watch even the Rides for sale on this forum.
There have been a lot of really nice cars that have gone for a good price.
Jeff from Cleveland, Ohio

Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2010 - 07:44:45 PM »
The 340 was available in the 71 Cuda.  I believe it was also available in the 70 Cuda.
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline ohio cuda

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2010 - 07:50:36 PM »
Try and make friends with one of the guys close to you here on the board. Have them look at the car with you because they will, “hopefully”, be more objective. After you look at the car offer to buy dinner or lunch and talk about what you saw. There are lots of toys of all flavors out there. Happy hunting :cheers:

Offline hotrod98

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2010 - 08:24:54 PM »
Hi there,
I'm shopping around for a 71 Cuda or clone.  I saw this black '71 online for sale.  I was wondering if you guys can tell me how much it is worth because I know it's not a true cuda, but a Gran Coupe instead based on the "BP" VIN.  I can't afford the 45K, but wanted to know from you guys if it looks like a decent clone and how much I can talk him down in price.

Thanks,
Dean

http://www.fastlanecars.com/Public/Vehicle_Detail.aspx


I can see about a dozen things wrong with that car. They did a lousy job of transforming it into a cuda clone. I say if you're not going to do a car right...don't do it at all. I built a cuda from a gran coupe a few years back and other than the vin number, you couldn't tell that it wasn't a real cuda. That's the way that it should be done.
1971 Cuda, Tor-red, Bench seat
1971 Cuda Drag Car
1973 Cuda Clone, EFI/OD Limelight
1970 Superbird (Yes, it's real) Black Ice
1971 Barracuda Sassy Grass Green (sold)
1970 Challenger RT SE 383 Plum Crazy
1969 Road Runner Hardtop
1968 Road Runner Coupe (sold)

www.maniacmusclecars.com


Offline JH27N0B

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #10 on: October 12, 2010 - 12:27:02 AM »
Try and make friends with one of the guys close to you here on the board. Have them look at the car with you because they will, “hopefully”, be more objective. After you look at the car offer to buy dinner or lunch and talk about what you saw. There are lots of toys of all flavors out there. Happy hunting :cheers:
As I mentioned earlier, I looked at the car at the Mecum auction last month, I would have been interested if it was nice. But it was sort of a pile......run Forrest run!!! :2cents:
So instead of joining the "dark side" by bidding on that ratty b'cuda, I ended up buying another Challenger there for my fleet. :P

Offline DeanP

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2010 - 12:53:59 AM »
With the '71 Cuda being a somewhat of a 1 year deal ( I'm assuming it is the headlights, grill and gilled fenders that draw you to '71 specifically ) a true '71 will demand a little more money.

Yep, all the above!!
Thanks for all the great advise guys, I'll do more research and keep looking.  Personally, it doesn't matter if it wasn't numbers matching.  I'm just looking for a decent driver that I can enjoy a couple days a week and not be a garage trophy.
 

Offline ragtopdodge

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2010 - 08:29:07 PM »
What's your budget?

I think if you are patient, you can find a decent '71 'Cuda (real one) four-speed car for ~$45k.

Find one w/at least an original looking fender tag or buildsheet, decent color combination, and of course, condition.   W/that kind of money, may be prudent to fly in and check it out yourself.

E.g.:

http://www.cudaworld.com/adDetail.php?cat_id=10&sub_id=0&ad_id=2419
'70 318-auto Chally 'vert
'71 383-auto 'Cuda 'vert (sold)
06 300c SRT8
04 2500 QCLB 4x4 HO

Offline tommyg29

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #13 on: October 12, 2010 - 08:47:43 PM »
btw,
 :clapping:
welcome
with a $35k budget, if that includes all purchase costs, including maybe travel and trailering, etc. I think you can get a driveable "real" non-matching 71 cuda. Dont worry if its not in perfect condition....it wont be. You can take your time working with it and learning the car.
As you spend more time researching you might find yourself changing your mind about colors, engines, options, etc. so find out all you can and take your time. Thats the best advice you will get.
« Last Edit: October 12, 2010 - 08:50:20 PM by tommyg29 »
72 Roadrunner 400-4 Auto-3.23 Gear-Black Cruiser
71 Cuda 440-6 Tribute-Limelight-A833 Close Ratio-4 Sp-Pistol Grip-Dana 3.54 Powr Lok-Rally Dash-Shaker (Sold)
92 Dodge Stealth RT-Twin 15g Turbos-SAFC2 Tuned-Mystic Blue-5 Sp-AWD-Rear Wheel Steering-AutoX'r (Sold)
12 Dodge Charger SXT Plus Blacktop Package-3.6L-8 Sp-Leather-Nav (the wife's)

Multiple SRT's, Rams, Dakotas, Caravans and Neons

...the lines on the road just look like dots!....

Offline hotrod98

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Re: Newbie thinking of getting a 71 Cuda... opinions...
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2010 - 01:52:52 PM »
For 35K I have a nice solid sassy grass green 71 Barracuda that I could convert into a correct looking 340 4-speed cuda clone that he could get in, drive home and win most car shows with.
I'm getting caught up on customer work and now I'm going to get back on my 70 Challenger 383 plum crazy R/T SE and the 71 Barracuda. Both will be for sale shortly.
1971 Cuda, Tor-red, Bench seat
1971 Cuda Drag Car
1973 Cuda Clone, EFI/OD Limelight
1970 Superbird (Yes, it's real) Black Ice
1971 Barracuda Sassy Grass Green (sold)
1970 Challenger RT SE 383 Plum Crazy
1969 Road Runner Hardtop
1968 Road Runner Coupe (sold)

www.maniacmusclecars.com