7/25/09 New decals from ChallengerGary - 74 Cuda is now Green with envy

[The Cuda Guy]

Great start bro!!!  Good luck with the rest of the project.   

Don

[BB73Challenger]

Thank you everyone for the positive input.

I can't say enough about the people on this forum who have helped me not only with my car but this project as well!

Yes the 318 will get a few typical upgrades, and driveability will be the priority to it.

As much as I would like to keep the car for myself, it still is my brother's car and hopefully he will put many miles on it when we are done.

Thank you all again, for you opinions,suggestions,advice and deep knowledge that helps keep these cars out on the streets.

Jeff

[74chall]

very nice. how did you strip the car down so clean? i see a very small compressor in the background. Is that what you using to run a da?

[BB73Challenger]

Since the car only had a thin primer coating when I got it I chemical stripped most of it and then did follow with the DA, the compressor ran constantly to keep up but did OK.

[bluecuda360]

Wow,that thing is moving right along and looking good.Seeing all your pics is very motivating.Is that a new trunk lid?if so where did you get it and how does it fit?Keep up the nice work!

[BB73Challenger]

All right - I've been away from the site but not E-bodies 
My goal was to have the Cuda out for paint before the snow flew, but I was about a few weeks off the mark. Not bad.

Ive learned a few things while doing the bodywork and sanding.

1. I don't care how you covered it, it will be dusty
2. A rookie needs someone who has done this before to look at your progress and tell you "dude, open a door and let the fumes out, you can't put paint on THAT"
3. My wife is for sure a keeper. No one has been more patient than her. (I have spent almost EVERY free moment on this car)
4. There are a lot of tips and tricks in order to get the best possible finish, and unless you are lucky enough to have someone help you, you may never know them.

Anyways, I spared you all the bodywork photos, and believe me, every panel has filler and or icing on it. Even the new steel, I learned, at times needs a little "massaging" to match up with some of the old stuff.

Following are some pics of her departing.

[BB73Challenger]

The painter I will be using is a friend through a friend.
His shop's main line of work is the stuff that pays the bills in accident repair, but has a genuine love for classic cars.
He will be setting the gaps on all of the panels for me.
Due to the large amount of filler, he will spray the car again with a heavy primer to block sand again and verify there are no super eye sores.
He will be applying a basecoat/clearcoat Limelight green to the car.
He will finish the car by buffing it out.
This guy was a pleasure to meet, and he will be getting me updated pics as color goes on, so expect to see them.

[BB73Challenger]

I was also a little surprised for him to ask me something in our meeting, and that was time frame.
I let him know that the car has been apart a VERY long time, and that we would like for him to have it, even if it was a few months as long as he needed. I am aware that his shop has other projects as well. The time frame will be more like 12 weeks, which is perfect, 'cause it's going to be cold and snowing here in that time frame anyway.
But he was saying at times he will have someone come through looking for a job done in a couple of weeks!

[BB73Challenger]

This was my last view, and now the Cuda will be in a very different state the next time I see her.
This project would not be very far without the help of many of you too, and I thank you all.

[422STROKER]

Looks great!

Tom

What is up with the powerplant?   

[moparmaniac59]

Man Jeff,
You have done an AMAZING job!! I am anxious to see it painted!! You do good work!!



                                                                Matt B.

[BB73Challenger]

Thanks guys 

As far as power goes...
We will be running a street build 318 - something with a little extra goose with more towards reliability.
I plan on her attending the next Carlisle.

With the expense of the body build, the drivetrain will be re-freshed and pull duties till what future plans are for now a stroked & poked small block to push more cubes and a 5 speed manual.

I plan on using a custom decal for the car as well and part of my problem with the decision was I know the C.I. in the car now but it will change.

[BB73Challenger]

Man Jeff,
You have done an AMAZING job!! I am anxious to see it painted!! You do good work!!



                                                                Matt B.

Oh and I'm really excited about the thought of paint too!
I have LOTS of hours on filler and sanding alone - about 100 Hours.
I know in the hands of a rookie it probably translates into 25 hours by a pro, honestly there were things I did and re-did at times more than twice.
One of the things I learned too was that if you are going to try and mud 3 dings, don't bother doing them seperately, go ahead and swipe the whole thing, and when you do a ding that appears the size of a quarter you really need to apply filler much further out.

This car as long as I have known it has spent more time without paint than with, and to make the step to paint will energize this project.

[Street_Challenged73]

That 'Cuda looks good, Jeff!!   It looks like it will be an awesome car once it's finished.

[The Cuda Guy]

Keep up the great work!  Good luck on the paint!

Don