Progress pics of the Jamie-Cuda project

[70cudajim]

Long story behind the history of my car. This is a 1970 340 auto, A/C, FJ6 Sassy Grass Cuda. It was drag raced a little around the Sacramento area 80s-90s. Any of you local guys remember it? CudaMike? Rewind to February 19, 1998. I'd been married 2 years. My wife and I just bought our first house and we have a brand new baby girl named Jamie Nicole. She was named after my wifes name(Amy) and my name put together. To make a long story short. I bought the car and only had it for 2 weeks when the worst possible thing in anybodys life could happen. Our daughter passed away to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome . She was only 3 months old and she was my first-born. It was a devastating blow to all of the family. From that day on, this car has never been touched and has always been on the backburner. Sitting in the corner. Never forgotten, but waiting for its day. It's day finally came about 3 weeks ago when I brought it to the body shop. I've dubbed this the Jamie-Cuda Project. Her birthday is November 19. The same day as her grampa(my dad) . She would have been 10 years old on Monday. Happy birthday baby girl, this is your tribute car. Jim

[70cudajim]

Passenger side. This is what happened in the 80's when flared fenders were thought to be OK.

[70cudajim]

Some of the new sheetmetal. Goodmark makes an excellent product.  :thumbsup:The only thing we did to the one piece trunk floor was modify the shock tower access hole to the top side where it should have been for 1970. That's my oldest son James checking out the progress. Jim

[70cudajim]

Finally got some paint on there. There's paint where the factory never would have gotten. The quarters were primed and painted before they were welded on. You know it won't be seen, but I'm comforted by the fact that I know it won't rust in there. Jim

[70cudajim]

The original trunklid was 100% perfect and rust free. Stripped it of paint, sprayed primer and some color. Phase 1 of the body work is almost complete. It received a 1 piece trunk, 2 new Goodmark Full quarter panels, trunk extensions, outer wheel housings, and a new dutchman panel. The way it sits, it's rust free and dent free. Phase 2 will be the front half of the car. I will be doing this during the Winter time, so I'll be posting more progress pics. Jim

[71340RT]

Looks like your starting to move right along. Keep us posted on your progress with pictures and this should be a great tribute car.

[Chlngrcrzy]

Your gonna have a great car someday, keep us posted on the progress of the Jamie Cuda.

[Street_Challenged73]

Jim, awesome work on the car!!!   I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, but it's good to see you're making something that'll tribute her.

[cudagirl4406pk]

Looking good keep up the good work.

[wally426ci]

Happy Birthday tomorrow! great story, sorry to hear.. my Father rebuilt the Cuda that my mother drove when i was young, my 3 yr. old sister rode in that car the day she passed away and im sure my mother thinks of her every time she drives it.

keep up the good work! 

[backtobasics]

Here is to hoping you are not too sad this day   
Here is hope that additional joy comes your way   
Here is to good that the rest of life brings   
and Here is to Jamie Nicole, who now has her wings   

[ChallengerHK]

A sad story and a great story.  Good luck with the car.

[70cudajim]

Thanks for the support guys. Backtobasics, that was a great poem. It's an awesome project I'm taking on and I need all the help I can get. I have a few parts that I'm going to sell in the near future. Once I figure out what I'm going to keep, I'll post a few things on here for sale or what I'll need. I'll be plugging away working on this constantly until it's done. If I could have just dumped a lot of money into it and finished it I would have done it a long time ago. This takes a lot of time and energy to get things done right. No, it won't be an OE Gold Certified resto, but it ought to be a very nice driver. Now, back to work. Jim

[DoNotChallengeHer]

Good luck with the Cuda. It sounds like it will be a labor of love. My daughter has a car she inherited from her god-father and we will be restoring it in memory of Chad.

[backtobasics]

 

Chop Chop, no slacking on this one!