Author Topic: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)  (Read 23955 times)

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #15 on: August 30, 2015 - 02:49:55 PM »
As you can see, this Cuda was nicely optioned :)

I decoded the fender tag with some tool I found...

BS23:
Plymouth Barracuda
Special, 'Cuda
2 Door Hardtop

H2B: 340 240HP(net) 1-4BBL 8 CYL
1972
Dodge Main, Hamtramck, MI, USA

381872:   Sequence number

E55: 340 cid 4 barrel V8 275hp
D13: 3 Speed Manual Transmission-Floor Shift
TB3: Blue Streak Exterior Color Basin Street Blue
A6X9: Trim - Basic, Vinyl Bucket Seats, Black
000: Full Door Panels
407: Build Date: April 07
242386:   Order number

TB3: Blue Streak Top Color
U: USA Specifications
D51: 2.76:1 Rear Axle Ratio
C56: Bucket Seats
G35: Delete Standard Outside Mirror
J25: 3 Speed Wipers

S54: Unknown
L25: Trunk Lamp
L31: Hood/Fender Mounted Turn Signals
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M25: Wide sill moldings
M31: Belt Moldings

EN2: End of Sales Codes
M88: Decklid Moldings Treatment
N23: Electronic Ignition System
N41: Dual Exhaust
N42: Chrome Exhaust Tips
R11: Radio Solid State AM (2 Watts)

V6X: Longitudinal Stripes, Black
26: 26in Radiator


Still don't know what is S54 option...

Now the car has 70 440 in it, A833 4 speed manual, 8 3/4 sure grip with 3.55 gears. The rest I believe is original.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 10:56:24 PM by bored »




Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #16 on: August 30, 2015 - 03:14:59 PM »
After a month or so of driving my new Cuda, I replaced the alternator, cleaned and restored the booster, replaced fuel sending unit, voltage regulator, temperature and oil pressure sensors, put some new bulbs and repaired all the wiring. So the car became pretty reliable and I was not afraid leaving town in it for weekend trips.



« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 10:19:12 PM by bored »

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #17 on: August 30, 2015 - 03:18:13 PM »
Here are some pictures of a perfect survivor/daily driver:

« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 10:19:25 PM by bored »

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #18 on: August 31, 2015 - 12:45:09 AM »
looks good.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #19 on: September 01, 2015 - 01:53:27 AM »
Thanks, 70chall440!


I drove the car for some time, but it definitely was not as I wanted it to be. My idea was that after I get all mechanical things straight, I send it to my friend's bodyshop, so he can clean the rust and put some decent paint on.

And on these pictures you can see why I wanted to do that:


« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 02:24:11 AM by bored »

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2015 - 01:57:35 AM »
So I took the interior apart, and towed the car to my friends shop.
Still looking good. Good floors, clean doors, no surprises...

« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 02:25:10 AM by bored »

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2015 - 02:02:25 AM »
They fount like 5 different layers of paint and primers...

But still looking ok...

« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 02:25:35 AM by bored »

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #22 on: September 01, 2015 - 02:06:38 AM »
When they got to the quarter panels and tail light panel, that's where things started to get nasty  :(

« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 02:26:06 AM by bored »

Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #23 on: September 01, 2015 - 02:23:12 AM »
The more we dug, the more we discovered... Left quarter was really bad, trunk floor completely rusted and had big holes covered with silicone, right quarter was bad, tail light panel was almost gone... Right inner fender was poorly repaired at some time (later I discovered that the car had a small accident and got hit in the right front fender at some point of its life).

So we reached this moment where I had to decide whether to stop and clean it up all we can, repair it so that it looks nice from the outside, but I would have this understanding and knowledge that the car have cancer underneath the shiny paint... Or I could do it right. Expensive, time consuming, but right.

Aaaand yes, as you have already figured it out, I chose pain, tears and empty wallet.

We took the engine out and prepared to tow the car to sand blasting.




Offline bored

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Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #24 on: September 01, 2015 - 02:30:49 AM »
I think of the day we took it to sand blasting as of its second birthday. This car won't suffer anymore, everything in its life is going to be better.


Offline larry4406

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Re: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #25 on: September 01, 2015 - 05:32:19 AM »
Looks like Basin Street Blue was the original color. What  color are you going back with?

Offline dfrazz

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Re: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #26 on: September 01, 2015 - 07:46:11 AM »
Obviously may patch jobs throughout her life, and at least you are doing it right.  Can't wait to see this one through completion!

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #27 on: September 01, 2015 - 11:31:59 AM »
le the games and journey begin...  :bricks1:  :popcorn:
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline djais1801

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Re: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #28 on: September 01, 2015 - 01:16:53 PM »
i say go back to blue w/ the longitudinal stripe! :woohoo:

Offline bored

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Re: Tropical Beast (72 'Cuda)
« Reply #29 on: September 01, 2015 - 10:24:44 PM »
Looks like Basin Street Blue was the original color. What  color are you going back with?

That is a TB3 color, as far as I know in 72 it was called Blue Streak. That looked like original paint.

*ninja edit* - You are absolutely right. TB3 was called Basin Street Blue. I dunno why I had Blue Streak in mind.

i say go back to blue w/ the longitudinal stripe! :woohoo:

Wait for it :)
« Last Edit: September 01, 2015 - 10:58:01 PM by bored »