So...I found my car from a guy that stores muscle cars in the winter. I was never able to speak to the seller which was the gamble I took. Took a long shot and reached back out to the storage guy and asked him to reach out to the seller for me...explaining that I loved the car but wanted more history, if he could/would call me.
The previous owner called me back and got some good history. He is a GM guy that owned a few body shops in ny state. He has a few C2 & C3 Vettes... A few Camaros...and a 65 tripower gto+ a 12 car garage. Anyway, he had known the Cuda for over 30 years locally. His friend owned it and he always asked him to sell it to him. It was originally Red with black guts and the white longitudinal stripe. Well that "friend" let it sit out and waste away for about 10 years-with the drivetrain in his basement . The 2nd owner finally "gave" it to my seller.
He redid the entire car with AMD panels. The hood, roof,radiator support, and trunk lid are the only things that were born with the car (as well as drivetrain).
He rebuilt the engine to 1970 specs. He told me the 4 speed trans is original also.
He has pictures of it sitting in the yard...and throughout the restoration process.
He's going to email them to me. Can't wait to see them, he's an older guy and not that computer savvy...so hopefully sooner than later. He's currently doing a resto on a 69 1\2 A12 Superbee for a friend