73 Road Race Cuda

[YellowThumper]

Ahhh I see what you have done there.
Bright idea. Haha 

[70chall440]

 

I got the idea from the Sick Fish. I was going to weld in a slight lip to give it a more finished look but need to alter the bumper bracket some but am not sure I need it.

[Challenger in NC]

Great job. cool looking spoiler. I also like the textured finish on it.

[70chall440]

that is the way it came, I have coated the side panels in a similar fashion so they look like the spoiler.

[Mopar Mitch]

EB3 CUDA -- yes... the Milodon road race (touring as they also call it) oil pan.

[70chall440]

So, for you builders out there I am having a slight issue with getting my head around sequence. Currently I am in the mock up stage which I understand, however I am not really sure how to proceed; I know what has to be done just not exactly sure how to get there. I have seen a lot of builds and I suspect like many things there are more than one way to "skin the grape".. So, I thought I would throw it on here and see what feed back I get. Here are the things I need to get done;

1. body work
2. electrical
3. install glass
4. paint
5. reassemble the door window mechanisms and glass
6. install the interior

So, some of my questions are

A. should the fenders be painted off the car? If not or if it is optional, when are the inside of the fenders painted?
B. should the car be painted (post body work of course) before the electrical and interior? I "think" it should, but then again..

On the one hand, if the car is painted before everything is run/installed, I think it would be a better job, however then I risk damaging the new paint but all of the other work. I have heard professional builders say a car is constructed several times before it is assembled for the last time. I understand this, but am thinking I don't want to run all the wiring before I paint it.

This may seem simple to some on here, but this is really the first "ground up" I have ever done really with this level of fabrication and modification. My challenger was pretty straight forward.

Please 

[IMNCARN82]

I'm no expert.  But I decided to paint the shell with the doors on. The lines and gaps are too finicky to get perfect. IMO.   And painted the fenders (on a fender stand) and Everything else at the same time.  I had sealed the backsides of everything prior.    paint  Was a big job.  Body work took years I think.  Made a big mess. I have the glass installed after paint.  (don't do this yourself)   Thing is, I've been doing the mechanicals and mock up type stuff as I drive it, Then tore it a new one.  Had to have a shop space.  This has been a big process.  Leading to multiple cars. I was a one car guy until the fever hit.  Heard it here:"Never seen someone get all the tools,Take all the time to learn,And then do one"  ha! 

Get the dirty work over with.  I spent forever on fit-up. Yea I replaced the freakn roof yo!  Eat that sh!t for breakfast.  (Now I do lead work too)  Don't ask why.   Gotta have every panel together before finals. Split your differences. And sit on it.  Go after it again.  The rear bumper and valence have more time on them than most cars do.  No seriously.    The new metals nothing compared to original. It reacts more,Not as stable.  I do not use weld through primers. Don't like the dirty welds. Never found one that worked good enough.    Didn't see exactly where you are or headed here. n I'll poke around sum more.   I shaved the bumperettes completely. Markers,Antenna. Kindig handles.  Lot's and lot's of personal touches.  That's what makes them unique. oh   so back to the order.

bodywork,fitup,fab. (eternity)
paint
cut/buff
engine
interior
glass
final assembly (fenders,stripes,Ect.)   

Everything's common sense. I've made a lot of mistakes and some bad choices. And just try and learn from them.  But I'm a perfectionist in my own way. With a vision of a car.  A dream cuda.      You are definitely in the right place.  And I think you got the fever too...    Ask questions, People here know freakn absolutely everything there is to know. and then some.  And they're generally really cool about it.  HP2 comes to mind. Scott helped me out a lot.Oh and Brad!!!   So many have come before us with these cars. A priceless wealth of knowledge and support.  Mopars, They get in your blood.    Ya, I looked for days for a trunk torsion rod that was never actually even there!     

R/T

[70chall440]

Thanks for the response. I have the bumper and valance work done, so that isn't an issue. I still need to address the seams in the roof (I installed new quarter panels). I am getting very close to completing panel mock up and fitment. I am not a perfectionist but do want it decent. The overall concept for the car was to be a pseudo race/street car, however this has taken on a life of its own with a huge amount of fabrication to include inletting the marker lights, rear mounted power antenna (very custom mount for that), 4 wheel disc brakes (all of which I made the mounts and made fit), mini tubes, homemade 4 link, custom center console, etc. I am going to finish mock up, then I need to blow apart the front end and finish up some things with the oil system, then move onto body work. I think I will then move on to paint, after which I am going to go to wiring and assembly. I need to get this done at some point, its been years and it is time to finish.

[crash340]

Mike,
after paint, just tape the hell out of all edges and surfaces, put cardboard bubble wrap and tape on any surface you will come in contact with to protect it during assembly, if your in and out of the interior, maybe put your door rubbers and latch mech in place so they dont bang shut metal on metal or accidently open etc.

one last thing,,,, hurry up will ya!!!!! I want to hear the beast   

[70chall440]

yeah yeah... easy to be impatient when it isn't your time or money... 

[crash340]

And from across the pond,, Paint it this sumer so you can finish it over the winter otherwise it'll be another sumer, you so close now, finish the tinkering, as soon as it gets warm enough, get the paint done.

[70chall440]

Good plan 

[70chall440]

began modifying the lights; I am using a street rod light that has the blinker in the bottom of the light. while the say 7", they don't readily fit the headlight bucket, so I had to so a modification. The first go around I cut a little too much out but once I figured out how much I needed gone, I was able to fix it. Needs a little cosmetic work but other than that it is good.

[dodj]

yeah yeah... easy to be impatient when it isn't your time or money... 

Cut off date for calendar pics is somewhere around the end of October I think. That leaves seven months for completion and one month of driving around taking pics. 

[70chall440]

Easy breezy....