Hello everyone,
My name is Jess Neal and I own the "'71 Cuda on Pikes Peak." Thanks HP2 for posting the info. Thanks to everyone for all the positive comments. You all have been great. I apologize for not letting the word out prior to the event but I had absolutely no idea anyone else would be interested. The car has a four page spread in the Sept. issue of Mopar Collector's Guide. Subscribe to it, it's worth it. I even put their name on the trunk since they put the car in print.
I'll take a stab at answering some questions.
My original goal with the car was to have it look like something Gurney would have driven had he continued in '71 that's why the AAR features on a '71.
The engine is a small block that made 582 hp here in Colorado Springs which is at 6000ft. 4 speed tranny with an old DC aluminum main case and Passon aluminum tailshaft housing. Fiberglass mono-leafs holding the 8 3/4 which I had 4.30 gears mounted on a TruTrac diff by Mark Williams for the hill climb to help launch off the switch backs. Removed the rear lowering blocks, cranked up the t-bars, removed the sway bars, mounted grooved BFG radial T/A's, took 6 jet sizes out of each hole in the carb, strapped in a video camera and hoped for the best.
Pikes Peak:
My goal was to just make it to the top of the beast but I got a little more. I finished fifth, three seconds out of third despite spinning the car in Tin Barn turn! My absolute favorite section of the highway was on the pavement from Glen Cove to Devil's Playground. Nothing but switch backs and hundreds to thousands of foot dropoffs. That's where I was in the picture posted by Aaron Beck where I'm steering into a drift. Aaron we need to talk, how do I download that picture and did you take them? If so, do I owe you something for them? If not, who did? Awesome shot, someone was on it! Perfection, back tire spinning with a wisp of smoke coming off, steering into the drift, reflection of spectators and mountain on the roof, snow on the side, etc.
Take care and thanks again,
Jess