Hey everybody, from Montreal, QC!

[swordfish71]

Hello everybody, very nice forum you have here!

I want to make my entry into the 'Cuda world, sometime soon, and I was wondering if someone would be willing to give me a few pointers.

I want to restore / rebuild a 1971 BS27 'Cuda, and I don't know how to go at it. I've been looking around, and I see some cars on classifieds that might eventually interest me, but I kind of cringe at taking an original parts car to modify it to my liking. Tell me what you think of that idea.

I then found Jim's Auto Parts, online, and saw a great deal of parts available, and I was thinking, what if I bought all new frame rails, pans, fenders, doors, etc ..... and rebuilt a full replica car?
My only fear with this second option is that I will not be able to put plates on it here in QC since it would not have a VIN ........ So, anybody have any other ideas, or want to improve on one of mine?

Thanks !!!!!

[TorOrange]

Welcome aboard.

What exactly would you like to modify?

Another thing is you could go and buy a 72+ and do what ever you want!
Also I don't think Vert parts are reproduced not 100% sure though.

[swordfish71]

I thought I wasn't seeing any convertible parts there too ... Well, basically I don't mind putting a bigger amount (10-15k) on an initial purchase, but my big bother is it has to be rust-free. So, I'll keep looking around.

I just checked with the motor vehicle dept here, and I can in fact rebuild the car from scratch and they will issue me a VIN for the car, if it passes inspection! so, I'm really tempted to start buying floor pans, frame rails, and putting it together one piece at a time.

So which would be more cost-effective? buying used and restoring, or getting new parts and using refurbed where necessary?

I'm pretty sure I'd be able to find a used convertible top and just have it recovered... I plan on taking a few years on this project, so waiting around a bit doesn't bother me (you all know how these cars can be real money pits!!!!!!)

[TorOrange]

Well as for the convertible parts I wasn't talking about the top, those you can buy. I was talking about the metal pieces over the rear wheel wells. (I'm sure there is more pieces I'm forgetting, can't find a detailed rear end vert pic!!!!!) Which you have to find or build. Also the A pillers for verts I don't think those are re popped but not 100% sure there. Not a expert here 

I'm sure you could build one and get what you need used or build.
I'm not going to try and answer your cost effective question because I'm not sure   

[Jamiez]

Depending on your locale's laws, passing an inspection might be quite difficult.  I know a lot of places have exemptions for classics which might not apply if you build a car from scratch.

Personally I'd look for a half finished project car where someone has done a lot of the body work (something like this http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/ctd/2587588642.html but that price is pretty high).  If the original drive train is already gone, I wouldn't worry at all about maintaining the originality.

[Chryco Psycho]

I would spend more buy as much as possible , Converts are hard to get & expensive to piece together , the more complete the car is when you buy it the more $$ you will save in the long run . Where to find a rust free convert ?? That is the big question , you could build a new shell from pieces but saving a rusty one would still seem to be easier as it would still come with more parts .
Good luck finding a good sarting point .

[jimynick]

Unless you're VERY skilled, I would advise against trying to build your own car. Just restoring one is a challenge- no pun intended. Take the good advice already given and find a car that's either done or nearly done and build on that foundation.