Purchased My 71 'Cuda!

[4Cruizn]

April 14th . . Yep the day before taxes!!  Always a holiday in my world!  

[Bearcuda]

Thanks everyone, yupe kind of weird they're both B5-Blue lol 

Yeah, my 71 Grand Coupe was a B5 interior and exterior numbers 383 car. So stupid for selling it for peanuts.

[PasiR]

-71 Cuda+HEMI+Manual = Awesome combo 

[torredcuda]

Even though it`s not matching numbers I kinda hate to see a nice `cuda like that modified but it`s yours now so do what you like.

[Carlwalski]

Even though it`s not matching numbers I kinda hate to see a nice `cuda like that modified but it`s yours now so do what you like.

Torred, modified is not the word. There will be no modified parts on the car. Incorrect engine? Yes, Keisler? Yes. Hardly "cut up" if that's what you're worried about. I treat Mopars like I treat classy ladies and wouldn't do anything to harm the car or it's value or what ever the case may be. It will look totally stock once complete, no one will know it's a 540ci, or 472 or 528 or 426 by looking in the bay. It'll just look like a 426 Hemi.

Actually it will have torque boxes, subframe connectors and XV stiffening it (except engine bay brace) in the car once installed but all will be invisible (unless you're roadkill). Interior is stock except XV tilt steering column (black like factory columns) and the car will get a little modern spice with an XV level 1 suspension kit. The Level 2 is nice but overkill IMO and the big let down for me is you have to run 16/17+ wheels so you lose the muscular look straight away. Level one saw big improvements over stock and I want the car to maintain and drive similar to how it was in the 70s, a real mans car.

[Carlwalski]

-71 Cuda+HEMI+Manual = Awesome combo 

Yupe, should be heaps of fun & sound really nice going through the gears + the engine braking!

[jvike]

Congrats Carl! I'm really looking forward to follow this build!  How many hp will that 540 HEMI put down?

[Carlwalski]

How many hp will that 540 HEMI put down?

Thanks Jvike, I've asked Tim (FHO) to make sure it gets 600hp. I said I'd be a little gutted if the dyno came back at 598hp lol I told him to get 600hp but don't get way over it. He said we should be able to get 600-615hp MAX from the combo I choose. It is very, very mild which is what I wanted for a street driven car. It's EFI as well which makes it a great starter, cruiser and tuning car. He said in future if I wanted to get more power I could change the cam spec and it would be an instant 750hp+ engine from the single mod. He has the exact same engine in his car and said it's the creme de la crop or Cadillac of engines, in his words, the best you can get.

[torredcuda]

I mean absolutly no offense and I`m sure it will be an very nice car when it`s done but it will be modified.I am not a 100% factory correct guy by any means but I think we need to keep nice examples of the breed stock to preserve the history of these cars.Swapping in a Hemi/5-6 spd and changing to all black is modifying a very nice near stock ride.Just my   

[Carlwalski]

No worries. For every 100% stock factory trailer queen there is a "modified" car. What ever tickles the owners fancy I guess and I'm ticklish. There will always be preserved cars for histories sake, don't you worry.

[IMNCARN82]

I have a vision...

[Super Blue 72]

   Congrats, NZ!!!!

I just saw this thread and am amazed how quickly you go from " I want a triple black '71 'Cuda" to "I purchased my '71 'Cuda".  You're definatley a man of action! 

That car looks awesome as it sits now but I know it'll look killer in triple black.  Can't wait to see the resto!


Are you really looking for a '68 Charger?  If so, I have a friend that has one that he MAY be getting a little bored with.  Pretty original, medium gold metallic, 383 4 barrel, automatic, console shift.  I can ask him if you're interested.... project #3 for you? 

[Carlwalski]

NO!! LOL I would love to but money is very low at the mo. If/when I look for a 68 Charger I'm talking a decade or more, seriously. This is my biggest most expensive project and it'll be the last for some time. Of course I'd love a 68 Charger to complete my dream garage but somethings will just have to wait. Thanks for the heads up and consideration tough, much appreciated. The reason I'm getting these goodies (Hemi, Keisler, Dr-Diff etc etc) is because like I said, it's going to be the last car I spend money on so like always, do it once do it right. When I get a Charger it will be restored by me. I'll have some experience under my belt by then as I would have restored Dads Cuda by then.

Thanks for the kudos on the car. Yes, I like to "walk the talk" or what have you lol. 

[EVIL72]

 Awesome car NZ, I'm looking forward to reading the updates on the build. 

[back n black]

This is no doubt going to be one awesome ride.

 I don't see getting all huffy about about the b5 blue cuda that is missing it's orginal drivetrain.  I don't see anything wrong with cloning a nom 383 car to a hemi no matter how nice.  If the car were an orgianl hemi, wing car, t/a, aar, or something of that nature, I could see putting it back to stock. 

Having an all black hemi cuda has to be way more desirable then a b5 blue 383 car minus numbers and probably even more desirable then a numbers 383 car.  Sit em side by side, and I bet more people flock to the hemi.

I love clones because you don't feel quite as bad running em the way the were meant to be driven.  I really feel that they will develope a stronger market over time because so much of the really good and rare cars are going to be show queens only.

I can just about bet that you will melt more rubber with yours once complete, then the majority of real hemi car owners.     

How long till the build process is finished?