Converting to a 71 Cuda

[Topcat]

I'm just curious about what it would take to convert a 72-74 Barracuda into a 71' Cuda. A rough estimate. Has anyone done a full conversion?

gilled Fenders     
Grille
shaker hood assembly
upper valence
lower valence
side markers
tail chrome rear trim
Rocker chrome trim
rear tail panel
tail light assemblies
fog lights and parts etc.
correct rallye guages
Rear dual exhaust valence
Chrome exhaust tips

Sounds like a ton of money to do. A shaker hood, grille, and fenders alone I could see hitting 5-7 grand or more for all of them.

[73Chally]

It depends on just how far you want to take it.  On the body alone, as you can see, you will probably be over $10K when you add in the correct grille and lights, etc.  Not a whole lot of difference on the interior, but if you're doing a rallye dash, there's another $1K or so for a finished dash, seats, etc.  Probably be north of $10K-$12K when all is said and done, plus how much work will you be doing yourself?

[72hemi]

On the inside of the car the bucket seats are different and the pattern is of course different as well. The seat belts are different, and the headliner may even be different. On the outside the bumpers are different and depending on which year you start with the brackets are different too.

Why the inquiry? You have a 71.

[Topcat]

On the inside of the car the bucket seats are different and the pattern is of course different as well. The seat belts are different, and the headliner may even be different. On the outside the bumpers are different and depending on which year you start with the brackets are different too.

Why the inquiry? You have a 71.

Yes I do John but I hear of inquiries of others wanting to convert theirs. I just don't see the logic in attempting it. Like you mentioned before in an earlier post, it's still a 72, 3 or 4 in the end. It's their money, their car, so be happy and do what you wish and enjoy it. Those that do, I wish them the best. 

Then there's the other issue of the 71 grilles being re made. MoparDave is doing a poll to find out how many would switch. This is where I'm really going with this.

Are there enough people out there willing to commit to make theirs close enough looking into a 71'? Or will it be mostly people throwing gilled fenders, valences, etc on?
If the grill is affordable, ie: $1,400-$1,800 complete; then I could see more being tempted to make this conversion.

To each their own. But I don't see it worth making the commitment to try and switch theirs into a 71'. 

[426HEMI]

If it were me I would want to change it to a 1970.   

[72hemi]

I hear ya Mike. If there was a reasonably priced quality complete 71 repop grille available I know I would buy one, after repairing an original it would be nice to not have to go through that again. And of course to each there own, if they want to convert a 72-4 to a 71, then go for just dont do it because you hope to make money on it, because i doubt that will ever happen. My wife wants a 71 and I contemplated buying a 72-74 and converting it due to the price of a 71 project car compared to that of a 72-74, but she absolutely said no way, she wanted a 71 not an imposter. So when the time comes I will have to hunt down a 71, but for me I have to agree with the wife, if you want a 71 buy a 71.

[Chryco Psycho]

If it were me I would want to change it to a 1970.   

 

[ragtopdodge]

Lame if you ask me.

If I had a '72-'74, I'd change the side markers to '70-'71, put a '70 front valance filler in, and change  the headlights w/the ones w/buillt-in LED turn signals.

The '72-'74 grille is a nice design, and the taillights kick arse!  Just put in reg. lens for the backup lens.

Only thing IMHO the '72-'74 sucks at are the side markers and that awful fake-looking driving lamps for the parking/turn signals in the front valance filler.  And of course, get rid of those awful bumpers on the '73-'74.  Rubber bumpers would be ideal.

[JeffAARy]

There's more metal work than you think.  A few years back I had a 70 Gran Coupe 'vert that I was thinking about converting to a 71.  I also had a 71 hardtop in the garage to compare it to.  The entire front end metal is different, not just the fenders.  The front header panel is different, the hood latch/mechanism are different, the headlight buckets and shields are different, the lower valence support bracket is different, the bumper brackets are different, etc...  It is not a simple matter of just bolting on new fenders, lower valence, and grille.

After looking at all the pieces that needed to change and adding up the $$$ I decided it would be cheaper to sell the 70 and buy a 71.

[the_engineers]

  Also, the trunk lock tower and linkage cover is different 70-71 vs. 72-74.