Author Topic: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete  (Read 4261 times)

Offline Amazzen

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71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« on: January 12, 2016 - 04:12:44 PM »
Hi everyone,

Newbie to this Board, but no stranger to muscle car restorations.

I bought this 71 Cuda 340 out of Tuscon AZ a few years ago and am getting to the short strokes of completion. Here's a pic of her a year ago and lots of bodywork completed...



When I say "short strokes", I mean its almost ready for final paint and still a few months away from getting done.. I'll get a thread started in the resto section soon with lots of pics and I hope to bend some of your ears with some factory detail advice.

For now, just wanted to say hi and thanks for having me here,

Paul
69 Charger R/T
69 Daytona SE
70 AAR
70 T/A
70 Charger R/T
71 GTX
71 Cuda




Offline anlauto

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2016 - 04:23:32 PM »
Hey...don't leave us hanging.....what's the details on the car ? Original 340 Cuda ? Auto or 4spd ? Colour ? options? Overall plans for it.....inquiring minds want to know :blah:
I've taught you everything you know.....but I haven't taught you everything I know !
www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com

Offline 70chall440

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2016 - 04:47:15 PM »
 :iagree:  :useless:
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 roadman5312

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2016 - 05:10:56 PM »
Hey...don't leave us hanging.....what's the details on the car ? Original 340 Cuda ? Auto or 4spd ? Colour ? options? Overall plans for it.....inquiring minds want to know :blah:
                           Yea what he said, btw welcome aboard.   :rebel:

Offline Amazzen

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2016 - 07:40:34 PM »
Hey...don't leave us hanging.....what's the details on the car ? Original 340 Cuda ? Auto or 4spd ? Colour ? options? Overall plans for it.....inquiring minds want to know :blah:

Ho-Lee! Okay... 340 4 BBL 4speed

Rallye Red, black interior, black vinyl top.

Bucket seats - no console... very plain Jane w/power hood

I'm planning on keeping it as Factory as possible except I'm dropping in a 426 Hemi, shaker Hood, Rallye dash and Hemi Billboards.

The plan is to rebuild the original engine and 4 speed and keep it aside along with painting the original hood.

I'm hoping to make it a Hemi Clone without molesting any original 340 details.

Other than Painting the entire underside and applying the undercoating (a personal preference), it should be a fairly accurate restoration..

That's it for now... you'll need to wait for the build posts, LOL.

Paul





69 Charger R/T
69 Daytona SE
70 AAR
70 T/A
70 Charger R/T
71 GTX
71 Cuda

Offline dfrazz

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2016 - 07:57:33 PM »

I'm planning on keeping it as Factory as possible except I'm dropping in a 426 Hemi, shaker Hood, Rallye dash and Hemi Billboards.


This is kind of like saying, "I already have one of the most bada** numbers '71 Cuda, and oh by the way, I'm going to make it even better!"

Welcome from CO!

Offline 734406pk

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2016 - 09:48:59 PM »
Nice Car! BTW, '71 HEMI Clone is what i would do and save the original engine. After all, it is a 71! :bigsmile:
1973 Challenger 440 6 pack auto 3.91 rear
2012 Dodge Ram 3500 dually 6.7 Cummins Fleece EFI Live
1973 Challenger 318 2bbl auto 2.73 rear 22.5 mpg RIP
1970 Challenger TA 340 4bbl auto-Sold and sad
1999 Dodge Ram 3500 dually 5.9 Cummins Fleece tuned VGT-sold
1995 Kawasaki ZX1100E & still alive

Offline DetroitMuscle

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2016 - 10:03:27 PM »
Welcome, are you doing the body and paint work yourself?
2005 Copperhead Viper
1972 Corvette
1968 AMC Javelin
1968 Firebird 400

Offline js29no

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2016 - 09:04:43 AM »
 :wave: welcome aboard from central New York! :2thumbs: now my inquiring mind is satisfied! LOL.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2016 - 09:57:06 AM »
Welcome  Very cool project !!
 Are you building a Dana for it  ? I would recommend Cass @ Doctor diff if so  to supply the Dana , I would also recommend 1" or bigger torsion bars up front

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline 69ChargerRT

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2016 - 10:17:14 AM »
welcome to the site!  sure looks like a fun project, keep us up to date on your progress!

Offline Amazzen

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2016 - 07:52:56 PM »
Thanks for the welcome and interest. I'm actually surprised to get this many responses on the intro thread, so I'm very excited to get acquainted asap.

I'm out of the Country right now, but will return and start my build thread (yes, with plenty of pics!) this weekend, so stay tuned.

BTW, I don't want to deviate much more than the engine and tranny, so no Dana (although I have 2 spare units I could have utilized). The thing you should also know is that this car will be a trailer queen. Primarily because I live on a gravel road, but really because I just love bringing them back to life more than anything else.

I do have a couple of drivers, one being a 69 Charger R/T 383/Auto that I recently put a 440 6 Pack into. It used to have the 426 Hemi that's now slated for this Cuda. Call me nuts, but I really like the way the 440/6 performs and I like the fact that they never made a 440 six pack in the 69 Charger.

Anyways, thanks again for the posts and I look forward to getting further acquainted with you (and your rides) in the very near future...
69 Charger R/T
69 Daytona SE
70 AAR
70 T/A
70 Charger R/T
71 GTX
71 Cuda

Offline Amazzen

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2016 - 08:11:34 PM »
Welcome, are you doing the body and paint work yourself?


Thanks. I do some body work and paint, but anything major is done by a friend and cousin (painter) at my home shop. The only stuff that's subbed out is engine and transmission internals, so we're pretty hands on here. It kind of helps that I grew up with my Dad owning a Garage and Body Shop. My Dad was a mechanic by trade and still enjoys working on our cars at the young age of 84! I'm truly blessed to still have him and this unique relationship. Makes the hobby that much more special to me.
69 Charger R/T
69 Daytona SE
70 AAR
70 T/A
70 Charger R/T
71 GTX
71 Cuda

Offline jimynick

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2016 - 05:38:05 PM »
Welcome to the site and congrats on your choice and selection of cars as well as having your father to share them with. Give him a kiss and a hug everyday and then take him out for a ride!  :wave:

Offline TelisSE440

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Re: 71 Cuda 340 with resto almost complete
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2016 - 10:18:06 AM »
Welcome aboard ! You make an excellent choice on your '71 'cuda you won't regret it !