I'm planning on it...someday. *SIGH*

[pitbull]

I went back and talked to him again today. He said that he was interested in selling, but that he was looking for around $15,000.  I took some pics of the car, let me know what you all think. I have not gotten into why it doesn't run yet. I know he used to race it, as well as drive it on the street. He also said that he still has the original dual scoop cuda hood that came with the car. 

[pitbull]

It also looks like it started life as a 383 4 speed, and is now a 440 auto.

[Bondavi]

$15K for a Cuda in that solid of a body like that is a good deal. You'd need to check the usual areas for rust, floors, trunk, quarters (use a magnet) and if it all checks out, flash $12K in 100's, for everything. Hopefully the rear hasn't been tubbed. If a deal-breaker, let him keep the 440 as you'd want to make that 'cuda back into a 383 car.

Any 'cuda project with a body in good shape would be worth at least 15-20K, so you'd still be making out good. Is there any way you can trace a path back to the original 383 block? Keep us posted!   

[hotrod98]

You need to determine the amount of rust, if any as mentioned.
Check the vin to make sure that it's the real deal.
Look at the front inner fenders in the shock mount area for stress cracks since it apparently has been a race car. That can be repaired though.
I agree with offering him 12,000 cash in hand and go from there. If it's as nice as it looks, it would already be in my garage.
As god is my witness if this car passes inspection and you don't buy it, it will haunt you for the rest of your life. Ask me about the superbird I passed on 6 years ago. I still wake up in the middle of the night thinking about that one stupid decision.

[pitbull]

I checked the fender tag, it is a BS23, I just have to make sure it is the same as the vin. My next quest will have to be to see how much I can get for all of the stuff I have now. I've almost got my wife convinced to let me take the money out of savings, as long as I can put some back.

[Blackcuda]

BS23, and a solid body? 15k is a good price. I think the post that said bring 12k cash in hand is the ticket. But here's the thing, if you can spend 20k or a little more, and take your time looking you maybe able to find a way better car that needs alot less work.
I search the internet almost everyday for a dimond in the rough, ebay, traderonline.com, cudaworld.com, google...you name it. The Cudas are out there, and there are people that wake up everyday and say, I'm gona sell that thing, I need the cash fast.
I came across a one owner, west coast rust free 70 340 Cuda original paint car, that I told a friend about. He bought the car for 23k over the phone. Unbeleavable find!

[pitbull]

I talked to him again today. He said that the car was not running because the ignition was bad.  He also said that he doesn't know where the original engine or tranny are.  There is one small crinkle on the driver's side fender. There appear to be a few home-made modifications. There is a marine gas tank in the trunk.  The battery connection is back there also, and looks a little sketchy. The pans look to be solid.  I took some pics of the tubbing also.

[Bondavi]

Aww....no pic of the fender data tag?? If you have it, post for us to see! 

[pitbull]

I've got most of it. I tried to take another pic yesterday, but I had my wife's camera instead of mine, and the pic didn't turn out. The second row up on the left is FE5. The very bottom left is XX3. XX=I'm not sure. Any more thoughts on this one?

[Blackcuda]

Try the 12k cash in hand.

[hotrod98]

BS23N0B   1970 Cuda 2 door hardtop 383 4 barrel
M25    Body sill moldings
FE5     Bright Red
6        Bucket vinyl
X9      Black interior
M33     Body side moldings (rocker moldings)
N41     Dual exhaust
N42     Bright exhaust tips
R11     Radio am music master
V6      Sport stripe (hockey stick)
X        Black
C55     Bucket seat
G31     RH O/S man mirror man/chr/rac Manual chrome racing
G33     LH O/S rem  ...
J45      Hood tie down pins
M21     Drip rail moldings
D21     4 speed manual trans floor shift A833

The inner wheelhouse area can be corrected, don't worry too much about it and all of the other race modifications can be undone.
Go get this car before we come over there and whoop you butt.

[cudahob]

YES! I spent $10 grand on mine 3 years ago, but the engine was also blown. Less modified than this one, but still a racer.

If you can save her, you'd be a very happy man, believe me. It took me all of 3 year to pay mine off. If you can't work on it right away, address the rust problems and store it away.

Money in the bank pitbull.

What's the original color? FE5... ah red or rally red without a v-top. Cool 

[70Challey340]

Don't mean to steal the thread, but hotrod you got me interested!  You mentioned you wouldn't take 15K for your runner.  I came across a 69 runner vert, body is in pretty good condition.  383 with auto not numbers matching.  Complete interior, top would need to be replaced.  Looks like it would take very little to make it look good, maybe around 5K.  They want 15.6K for it.

[Bondavi]

Looks like M88 (hockey strip on quarter panel) on the plate was mistaken for M33 body side moldings....which is a good thing. Not too many fans for the mouldings.

[hotrod98]

I could barely make out the numbers on my computer screen at my office. Looks like M88 is right. I don't have my white book here at the house to double check that.

As for the runner vert...sounds like a decent price if the car is pretty solid. My 69 runner hardtop only has 40,000 miles, so it's worth a little more than 15k in my opinion.  I just bought a 69 383 4 speed coupe today for $2500 with a parts car. Does need lower quarters and trunk floor, but very restorable. Been sitting since 1977.
I may use it to build a my brother-in-law a hemi 4 speed car.

Now... Pitbull, is that car in your garage yet?