71 custom AAR-style Cuda --- minor update 4/5/11

[willhaven]

So, I recently signed on to a project car that's currently being built for me. We're mostly waiting on parts right now.

Basic stats:
-Originally a 1971 318 Barracuda.
-440-6 Pack EFI by FB Throttle Bodies.
-4 speed.
-Moser Dana 60 rear 3.7-something gears.
-4 wheel disc brakes by Wilwood.
-Sway bars.
-AAR style rear spoiler.
-AAR style hood without any hood pins.
-Black paint with AAR style hood blackout.
-Semi flat tail panel blackout.
-Elastomer front and rear bumpers with license gap filled in.
-Color matching grille with argent insides painted black.
-XV Motorsports chassis stiffening kit.
-Lots of shaved items including front and rear turn signals, fender top turn signals, trunk lock (relocated), antenna, all extra chrome except for the rear tail panel.
-No emblems of any kind. No engine call outs, no pentastar, no 'Cuda. Nothing. Only the dash pad will have the Barracuda script in tact.
-Fender gills added.
-XV Motorsports power window kit.
-Black interior with console.
-Carbon fiber pistol grip.
-Dash refaced with carbon applique.
-Red faced Autometer Nexus gauges.
-Grant steering wheel.
-Bose Shifter wheels. 18"x8" front and 20"x10" rear.

[willhaven]

Here are a few of the images I was sent last week.

Currently waiting for the shipment from XV so they can install the stiffening kit (subframe connectors, fender braces, and radiator brace). Body work and paint can continue after that.

I don't plan to install either of the XV suspension or brake kits right away. Since this is my first classic Mopar, I plan to drive it fairly stock to begin with and will later decide if I want to go all out and splurge on such expensive modifications. I intend for it to be a street car right now, so I may not need much more than standard sway bars and some standard disc brakes. But, should I decide to go all the way, the hard part of the upgrade will already have been completed.

The only major modification that could possibly happen is if I decided to go with a 6 speed Viper transmission. Then the whole tunnel would have to come out.

[Timmy C]

Can you get more pics and details of the trunk lock?  I am going to be doing the same with mine, and would like to know what lock and rod you used.

[Carlwalski]

Looking and sounding good mate, you must be eating your hanky.
Keep us posted with photos. 

[MoparCar]

Looking good!  Who's building it for you? Last I remember you were trying to decide which shop? Keep up the pictures for us!

[willhaven]

Shawn and the other guys at M&M Classics / Precision Muscle Cars are building it.

http://www.mmbrokers.com/

They did the 3(?) green Cudas and the black and orange custom Hemi Cuda recently.

The quality is nice and they're willing to put a dollar amount into the agreement which is the only reason I'd ever sign onto a custom build (open ended agreements involving money are not my thing). I'll get exactly what I want for only slightly more than a car with comparable performance options. The upside is I won't have to buy a running driving car and eventually have to strip it down to do the shaving and custom touches I really want.

It's still in the early stages, but they've been really cool so far. They seem eager to please so I was eager to sign on and eager to pay as I see progress.

[willhaven]

Can you get more pics and details of the trunk lock?  I am going to be doing the same with mine, and would like to know what lock and rod you used.

I'll see if I can get more images and details about that soon. I believe they're using the original lock. I'm not sure how they redid the rods to connect. I do know that the license plate will now flip down instead of up because of the modification.

[Timmy C]

I am looking at doing the same with the plate.  I have a b-body trunk lock and rod that looks like it would work with a little modification.  I was just wondering if that is what they used.  Your car looks great by the way!

[Carlwalski]

How's the build coming along Will? Any updates or photos bud?

[willhaven]

I got some photos in the mail almost a week ago now, I haven't had time to crop and post them yet.

I may be going with that crazy 6 pack EFI setup on the motor, however.

[willhaven]

It's been a while.

We've still got a punchlist of things to add/change. Tail panel is missing chrome, console, exhaust, driveshaft, etc.

Should be 1-2 months before it's done.

['Cuda Hunter]

That is a beauty!!

Great to see it almost done.

Rims look great!

[willhaven]

Yeah the rims came out nice. Can't say they were my own idea though. There was a very similar 1970 Cuda with the same wheels.

I was worried about the 2" difference between the front (18") and rear (20"), but in person it looks fine.

The only thing is that I think the meat on the rear is a little thin. I may end up going bigger on the next set of wheels. The proportions on the front are nicer.

[dutch]

all you ever see on a 71 is a shaker... nothing wrong with that, but the aar hood looks way cool 
great car 

[TKat13]

Amazing CAR! Well worth the wait. Thanks for sharing.