Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2

Author Topic: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2  (Read 47654 times)

Offline 73_Cuda_4_Me

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #105 on: November 19, 2016 - 08:47:55 AM »
73 bumpers with bumperettes... I used a Krylon satin black spray bomb with a satin clear coat on tail panel, only because I expect to be re-doing that trunk extension lip in the next year or two. I also painted the plastic filler strip to match the body color it is now.
1973 Plymouth Cuda BS23H3B567783

R11 V6X EN2
M21 M25 M31 M88 N41 N42
V1X U B41 C56 G37 J54
JY9 A6X9 0 703 501616
E55 D34 BS23 H3B 567783




Offline rhamson

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #106 on: November 19, 2016 - 09:56:34 AM »
Thanks folks.  It finally feels like progress. I’m still trying to line-up a body/paint guy and have some panel work to be done but I’m specifically looking to decide what to do on the fenders and driver door.  I’d appreciate feedback on whether to repair or replace, keeping in mind that this is not a high-end restoration. 
The driver door has minor dings like from a parking lot and the frame of the door is solid.
The passenger fender has deep pits underneath near the headlight can.  I’m concerned that the fender can’t be repaired fully and will eventually rust through. 
The driver fender has a through hole with deeply pitted rust and through hole on the fender brace.  I know that there is a patch panel for this but is it worth it when paying for the repair versus a complete new fender?
There all kinds of little "gems" hiding behind rust bubbles. I have a '72 and removing the headlight buckets were part of the process to search out all the little monsters waiting to show themselves when the car is completed. I also made cutouts behind the fender brace next to the door to sand and treat with POR15 where these cars always rust. These are troublesome but you can fix them and save a bunch of money better spent on the best part the mechanical's.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2016 - 09:59:00 AM by rhamson »

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #107 on: November 20, 2016 - 01:00:40 PM »
Thanks.  The body guys found other issues with metal stretch and felt that a new fender was the more cost effective solution.  Looks like another part for me to E-bay along with others that I thought could be repaired or I bought in anticipation :faint:.

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #108 on: December 06, 2016 - 09:58:05 PM »
Well progress is underway with the final panel work and paint (pictures to come) so now I am working on some of the soft items.  I pulled out the grill this weekend to realize that it was loaded with Undercoating :villagers:   :villagers:I'm working to clean it but have come across about four cracks :eek2: I guess that these can be repaired for a few hundred dollars and then I can paint it.  Again, I'll send picture but needed to step away before I threw it out the window.  I'll try to clean it and then decide if it is worth repairing or just buy new (this is getting old).  I'd appreciate any feedback on what people do with these parts on a resto-mod.

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #109 on: December 13, 2016 - 08:33:36 PM »
Here are some pictures of the situation.  I'm sure a diehard restorer can repair this with some patience so I'm thinking of putting this on e-bay.

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #110 on: December 13, 2016 - 10:36:07 PM »
Well the Body Shop is making progress with the final metal prep and primer.  Here are a few pictures. 

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #111 on: December 13, 2016 - 10:48:16 PM »
Here are a couple neat things they've done: Deck lid has foam added to prevent the oil canning and ease of finishing, the hood has paintable undercoating on it will be paint with matte body color and will have stainless steel mesh on the scoop and the rear vents.  Lastly, the front spoiler was adapted with sides in the same plastic material.  I'm really looking forward to a complete package.

Offline larry4406

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #112 on: December 14, 2016 - 05:38:52 AM »
Nice project!  That grille of yours looks far better than the one I have and should be pretty easy to save I would think.

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #113 on: December 14, 2016 - 06:58:26 AM »
I was thinking the same especially since a replacement with light bezels will be near $1,000. I have time before I need it so I may try to repair first and if it doesn't work then I can replace it. I've seen plastic repairs but have never repaired plastic myself.  I guess it's time to learn another skill.

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #114 on: December 18, 2016 - 08:32:53 AM »
I visited the body shop this weekend and it looks like painting is about to begin.   :cooldancing: There is a question about how the tail light panel is painted. This is a 1973/72 Cuda with a black tail panel.  Does the black end at a one of the top indents, the top bend or all the way into the lip of the trunk.  And, what about on the ends attached to the quarters? I've seen and viewed various lines.  This panel was already stripped down when I got it.  Any guidance or pictures are appreciated.

Offline EB3-GranCoupe

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #115 on: December 18, 2016 - 04:26:36 PM »
The black goes half way under the 3-piece tail panel trim, just like Argent on a Gran Coupe. There is no body color showing between the bumper and the trim.

Offline usraptr

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #116 on: December 18, 2016 - 10:35:17 PM »
It's looking good.  Looks like they're doing a good job!  :2thumbs: 
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

Offline redo1973

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #117 on: December 19, 2016 - 09:16:07 PM »
Thanks.  I'm working on other lead time items like seats and other soft items.  It should really pick up the pace in January so the questions will be plentiful, :bananasmi

My dash and gauges are ready so I've been looking at wire options like American Auto wire, M&H and Coach Controls wire.  I'm leaning towards the Coach Controls.  It is affordable and an upgrade.

Offline 73_Cuda_4_Me

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #118 on: December 22, 2016 - 09:58:30 AM »
The black goes half way under the 3-piece tail panel trim, just like Argent on a Gran Coupe. There is no body color showing between the bumper and the trim.

 :clueless:

My 73 has a plastic filler piece under the front and rear bumpers that wraps the corners, and matches body color. It completely fills the gap between bumper and body...
1973 Plymouth Cuda BS23H3B567783

R11 V6X EN2
M21 M25 M31 M88 N41 N42
V1X U B41 C56 G37 J54
JY9 A6X9 0 703 501616
E55 D34 BS23 H3B 567783

Offline EB3-GranCoupe

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Re: Resto Mod 1973 Barracuda round 2
« Reply #119 on: December 22, 2016 - 05:41:04 PM »
Quote
My 73 has a plastic filler piece under the front and rear bumpers that wraps the corners, and matches body color. It completely fills the gap between bumper and body...


The filler was typically grey from the factory.  If it is body color now, it has been painted.

Here is an unrestored 42,000 mile 1973 'cuda:
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/immaculate-original-1973-plymouth-cuda-340-still-going-strong-42000-miles-later/

From a stylistic standpoint, body color would have broken the 'surround' of the trim around the black tail panel.  Grey/argent was as close as it could get to the 3-piece bright trim/chrome of the bumper, and still keep the black tail looking 'surrounded'.