Author Topic: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.  (Read 30339 times)

Offline tony 73

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Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« on: November 08, 2017 - 08:59:06 PM »
Got myself a 1971 Cuda  :cooldancing: . Picked it up in Indiana, real nice guy by the name of Dave took a risk on an overseas buyer and now we good friends.  Took a trip  to USA to pick it up and now the cuda sits in my shed. Plan is to slowly chip away and get her back to they way she looked when she sat on the show room floor.

Check out my trip http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=119965.0

Still formulating my plan of attack, but luckily the car has been media cleaned and had 95% of the repair work done  :2thumbs:,




Offline tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2017 - 03:20:03 AM »
Still finalising my plan of attack, but that not stopping me from starting.

Removed seats , better check inside cover, glad the inspectors at the port didn't see this mouse nest. His buddy was living in the other front seat back.

Returning the car to a 4-speed, previous owner liked an auto so put auto replacement floor in.  I need help to know where to weld in the 4-speed hump. Any measurements be gratefully appreciated. Took some cutting and grinding to remove auto and console brackets. Got couple of nicks to weld up.

Have stripped both door skins of the light surface rust and spray can paint I applied over the rust to hide it from port inspectors. Used strip wheel . Will use a metal conditioner next then epoxy primer.

Climbed into the trunk and remover the light rust that formed as a result of driving through the Kanas rain storm 2 months ago.

Pulled dash frame apart and was pleased when I trial fitted the Ralley gauge and it fitted perfect, screw holes matched up too. Thought there was couple of brackets you had to fit to the frame before Ralley gauges would fit.

Passenger rear frame rail bit thin on inside and outside had a hole. Cut away damage ,and have made patches . I can weld , just never owned a welder. Got one in weekend, so once it set up and I have couple of practices, I will attempt the repair.

Car has an etch primer on it, I intend to remove this and epoxy prime. Body was previously media blaster and is in excellent condition under the etch. Messy job , but I enjoy the challenge.

Offline cudamadd

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2017 - 04:05:56 AM »
Tony great trip great car . Do you have the fender tag  ?  and know much of the cars history ?  When i saw that seat i said holly **** . Talk about the little fellows being wright at home .    Look forward in seeing your process  :cheers: :aussie:
Go 4 a spin Ya Why Not.

Offline 'Cuda Hunter

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2017 - 09:53:55 PM »
Was there a chewed up build sheet in the mouse nest's? 

Looks like a pretty solid project!  Be glad to watch your progress.

Was there a tag?  Curious of the original options and color. 

"All riches begin as a state of mind and you have complete control of your mind"  -- B. Lee

Offline AARCuda340+6

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2017 - 12:58:29 AM »

Looks like your hard at work.   You'll be a jack of all traits when your done.   Welding, electrical, painting, sanding, etc.
Wish I had more advice to help you along your rebuild but I'm sure you'll get some help from others.
Just watch your knuckles & fingers.
  :thumbsup:
You can call me RAY or RAYMOND or RAZOR or THE ZOR!
70 AAR Cuda
04 Rumble Bee



Offline tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2017 - 05:33:30 AM »
Thanks for the encouragement fellers.

Fender tags exists , finding it the issue. Previous owner had car for 20 years  and had puller car apart 15 ago. Got a 80 % build sheet, will endeavour to scan it or post the codes. B5 Blue original colour.

Been stripping the trunk lid, not looking forward to the under side.

Meant to be a slow rebuild but I got spare time and I get to excited to not do something to the car each afternoon.

Offline mopardave

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2017 - 09:55:27 AM »
LOOKS GREAT.. glad everything worked out for you.
Mopar Dave
Rosevillemoparts.com

if I haven't replied to your post or PM email me direct    dradcliffe@mikeriehls.com




70 FK5 Challenger RT/SE
70 FC7 70 Road Runner - Sold
71 FM3 Challenger RT
71 Cuda (in process for restoration)
73 F8 Challenger
1990 XJ - sold
2000 Dakota Quad Cab
2010 Ram Crew Cab 2500 4wd - sold
2015 Ram Crew Cab 2500 4wd Black Out

Offline tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2017 - 06:06:24 PM »
Thanks for your help Dave in getting my new dash to me  :thumbsup: Took real good care of it and now safely sitting in my spare room .

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2017 - 03:05:20 PM »
Still finalising my plan of attack, but that not stopping me from starting.

Removed seats , better check inside cover, glad the inspectors at the port didn't see this mouse nest. His buddy was living in the other front seat back.

Returning the car to a 4-speed, previous owner liked an auto so put auto replacement floor in.  I need help to know where to weld in the 4-speed hump. Any measurements be gratefully appreciated. Took some cutting and grinding to remove auto and console brackets. Got couple of nicks to weld up.

Have stripped both door skins of the light surface rust and spray can paint I applied over the rust to hide it from port inspectors. Used strip wheel . Will use a metal conditioner next then epoxy primer.

Climbed into the trunk and remover the light rust that formed as a result of driving through the Kanas rain storm 2 months ago.

Pulled dash frame apart and was pleased when I trial fitted the Ralley gauge and it fitted perfect, screw holes matched up too. Thought there was couple of brackets you had to fit to the frame before Ralley gauges would fit.

Passenger rear frame rail bit thin on inside and outside had a hole. Cut away damage ,and have made patches . I can weld , just never owned a welder. Got one in weekend, so once it set up and I have couple of practices, I will attempt the repair.

Car has an etch primer on it, I intend to remove this and epoxy prime. Body was previously media blaster and is in excellent condition under the etch. Messy job , but I enjoy the challenge.

You have a good plan/instincts. As for the 4 speed, I assume you are just going to install the hump instead of the floor pan; either way they both are pretty self explanatory as to placement once you have them. Once you lay the hump on the floor you will exactly where it goes.
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 tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2018 - 03:42:31 AM »
WOW , summer is over and I have done very little to my Cuda, did want to have the single stage primer off and epoxy on.

Picked up my friends rotisserie last week and have cuda attached to it. Autumn weather still nice so hope to start some stripping.

Got the correct 4-speed hump so this will be easier to install now that I an rotate the body.

Will gather up the bigger steel parts and drop them at media blaster for a clean and prime.
« Last Edit: April 25, 2018 - 05:13:12 AM by tony 73 »

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2018 - 02:00:30 PM »
While I am sorry your summer is ending, I am happy ours is just beginning. I know all about time slipping away quickly, it is a challenge remaining committed and focused for sure. Just try and do 1 thing a day even if that is just planning, I have found that to be very helpful.
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 jimynick

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2018 - 06:38:27 PM »
Before you put the hump back in, make sure you've gotten the access holes in, in the right size. I wish I'd've measured mine when we changed the floor, but we just laid the old section on top of the new, marked it and plasma cut it out. By the way, I stand to be corrected, but all the floors were for autos and the manual cars were cut out after the fact; I know mine was. If that's the etch primer in the recent photos I don't think I'd remove it. By virtue of it being "etch" it bites into the metal and shouldn't cause an adhesion issue down the road. I would (and did) put the epoxy over it after sanding and cleaning it. Just my  :2cents:

Offline tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2018 - 09:59:25 PM »
Appreciate the input.  :thumbsup:, definitely only want to cut once. Will double check what the paint is.

Beautiful day here , 65* F, so about to head up to shed and make some progress (hopefully) .

Offline tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #13 on: April 26, 2018 - 05:12:37 AM »
Progress  :) , heres hoping my addiction kicks in.

Had prepared the the patch and removed rust previously , welder worked well, just needs bit more finishing. Tried to fill some pin holes in drivers side rear floor , most of the holes just got bigger. Had fun. Bring on tomorrow.

Offline tony 73

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Re: Kiwi 1971 Cuda.
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2018 - 07:16:20 AM »
Decided to do bigger patch on inside , found a few pin holes and some of the pitting was deep. Previous owner had done a great job of removing all rust inside the rail when he media blasted prior to installing a new trunk floor .
 My welding getting better. Got a body guy coming around this week to give me some tips. Hopefully we will get a chance to look at the 4-speed hump.