restore or clone my &1 'Cuda???

[my3bulldogs]

I just got my hands on a 71 'Cuda that is originally purple, billboards, 383, auto on the column, bench seat...
I do have a 383/727 but is not original to my car, but I am thinking of building a hemi cuda clone as that's my dream car. I think my car would be cool either way. This car is to replace my first car (70 Barracuda) that I let go unfortunately nearly 30 years ago and I have no intentions of selling this car. I will leave it to my son many years from now.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

[turbostang7]

Sounds to me like that one is a nicely (or more specifically oddly) optioned out car already. I would bring it back to life as she was originally.

If it were like mine and a BH car, I would say go for it. But in the end it is your car, build it how you want it. I would crate up the original parts for it though so it can be taken back to factory if wanted later. Mine even being a 318/904 barracuda will have the original engine and trans in a crate just in case.

[anlauto]

Just go buy a Hemi clone, there's tons of them out there and you'd be way ahead money wise.

[ec_co]

I agree with turbostang. it has some unique options and would be great as is, but in the end it is your toy to play with 

[onebadfish]

Clone it!!! You won't be happy with a stock 383. What's the fun in that??

[Rolling_Thunder]

Clone it!!! You won't be happy with a stock 383. What's the fun in that??

Personally....    i would do something in the middle....    Hemi clones are overdone...      your car was nicely and oddly optioned - way more interesting than a Hemi clone.      I wold do a big inch stroker using a 383 block and restore the body back to factory - keeps it original appearing but way more fun than a factory 383 car.

[rUNCHARGER]

I agree: Clone 71 Hemi Cudas seem to be the red 69 Camaro of the Mopar world. I would stroke a lo deck wedge and use a bunch of aluminum engine parts to lighten it up. I've put a bunch of Hemis together and you quickly get tired of all the high buck parts to do it too.

Sheldon

[my3bulldogs]

I am in the process of trying to sort out more information on the car. There is no broadcast sheet so hopefully I can find out more based on trim levels? If I do put a hemi in it I was thinking of a larger cubic inch combo like a 572 or bigger, leave the bench seat/ auto on the column leaving the body and interior 100% stock. Also Im a manual transmission guy to the core but I like the weird combination of my car. Ultimately I would save all of the original parts I have, Im curious how rare this car is? I read the other day that there were just over 400 purple cars made in 1971 (not sure how accurate that is), also read that less than 10% of cars left the factory with billboards.

Thanks to all of you chiming in

[Katfish]

You said it's your dream car, so there's your answer, HEMI!

[dodj]

You said it's your dream car, so there's your answer, HEMI!

But I would take Alan's advice. Buy one already done. Save you some $ probably.

While a it may be an odd/uncommon option, I would never want an ebody with a bench seat.

[Topcat]

If you really want a Hemi, go for it!

But be forewarned it'll be way more money than you ever anticipated
Building it back to a factory appearance will raise the cost up quite a bit.

[ec_co]

if you want a Hemi go for it, but to do it right you will be need to do the stiffening kit as well so you don't twist the crap out of the frame. going this route will make it much tougher to go back to stock(ish). just another consideration in the mix of it