Barracuda or Clone Cuda?

[Road_Runner]

Hi folks,

I'm sure this has been discussed to death, but I've got some other questions as well.  I just read the changing color thread and that's one of the decisions I'm going to have to make as well.  I recently picked up a 73 Barracuda that is pretty much stock, but pretty much in need of a total resto, too.  It's a decent driver as-is, but to make it more than that its going to need lower quarters & trunk floor body wise, new or rechromed bumpers, and the interior gone through with most of the plastic needing replacement. 

So my #1 question is leave it a Barracuda or add the few parts it needs to become a Cuda.  It was ordered with the right bulge hood, would need the rear valence with cut-outs and a ralleye dash & emblems.  That's pretty much it that I can tell.  Is this pretty much a no-brainer when going through a 318 auto car?  It also has PS, PB & air.

Color-wise its a rather ugly light green right now, color code indicates special order but looking under the hood the color is about right, just faded & hard to tell what it would look like with new paint.  It also has a white vinyl top & interior.  I'm thinking either triple black or possibly some kind of blue leaving the top & interior white.  Not sure of any other color options right now, but leaning heavily to triple black.

Lastly for now, for other 73/74 owners, did you leave the larger rubber bumper guards on or did you convert to earlier versions w/o these?  They kill the lines on the front to my eye, not quite as bad on the back.  I've seen some examples where on the back some folks had chrome extensions that extended below the main bumper but were much smaller & w/o the big rubber blocks.  Any opinions on this swap?  Is the rear bumper I describe a std bumper from 71, 72, etc?  And does the same valence panel work for all these?

That's all for now, but I'm just getting started!!

Later, Jim

[the_engineers]

Hi Jim,
Welcome aboard!

What do you want it to be?  The general consensus on here is to do whatever you want, just don't ever try to sell it as something else.  Make it yours, just always be honest about it.

As for the "conversion" pieces, you can go about this 100 different ways.  Cudas did not always come with Rallye dashes (witness several original Hemi cars with the Std Gauges), but again, your choice.

Your best bet is look around, ask questions and develop a plan.  You'll enjoy pursuing the "single vision" a lot more than changing directions multiple times...cheaper too!

 

[67vertman]

Make it into your dream car, or what ever you want it to be.

Mine started life as a barracuda, and i am updating it to a cuda, and changing the color too.  However, most of the changes I make could be undone if some wanted to.

ultimitely it is your car, so make, paint or updated it as you like, and in the long run you will like it better.

[the_engineers]

Make it into your dream car, or what ever you want it to be.

Please don't say it that way...reminds me of some of our "other" members.

[Road_Runner]

Hi Jim,
Welcome aboard!

What do you want it to be?  The general consensus on here is to do whatever you want, just don't ever try to sell it as something else.  Make it yours, just always be honest about it.

As for the "conversion" pieces, you can go about this 100 different ways.  Cudas did not always come with Rallye dashes (witness several original Hemi cars with the Std Gauges), but again, your choice.

Your best bet is look around, ask questions and develop a plan.  You'll enjoy pursuing the "single vision" a lot more than changing directions multiple times...cheaper too!

 

Your last point nails my experience with my 70 Roadrunner.  I've got parts to make it so many different things, if I ever pick one direction & stick with it I'm going to have a bunch of extra parts!  I really don't want to go down that same path with the b'cuda.  Thanks for the welcome and I can tell I'm among like minded friends!

Later, Jim

[Road_Runner]

Make it into your dream car, or what ever you want it to be.

Mine started life as a barracuda, and i am updating it to a cuda, and changing the color too.  However, most of the changes I make could be undone if some wanted to.

ultimitely it is your car, so make, paint or updated it as you like, and in the long run you will like it better.

Thanks for the comments & I agree I'm not building it for anyone else, just trying to nail down my vision for it before I start buying a bunch of stuff willy nilly.  Also don't want 'scope creep' more than I can help myself.  I'd like to keep this one a car that stays on the road for the most part while I do my 'ultimate' stuff to the Roadrunner. 

Thanks again, Jim

[the_engineers]

Build a driver...6.1L, A-518 and 3.91's.  Throw 17's on it with discs all around.  Confederate Cuda has a beauty that takes this concept to the next level (actually about 3 levels above).

[dodj]

Lastly for now, for other 73/74 owners, did you leave the larger rubber bumper guards on or did you convert to earlier versions w/o these?  They kill the lines on the front to my eye, not quite as bad on the back.  I've seen some examples where on the back some folks had chrome extensions that extended below the main bumper but were much smaller & w/o the big rubber blocks.  Any opinions on this swap?  Is the rear bumper I describe a std bumper from 71, 72, etc?  And does the same valence panel work for all these?

I removed the bumper guards from my car, I didn't like them and originality doesn't matter to me - it started out as a column shift 318 2bbl.
The chrome extensions you mention won't swap in directly but it is possible to make them work. '73 & '74 bumpers were moved further out from the body so if you put those smaller chrome pieces in place of the larger rubber pieces, they leave a fair sized gap to the valance. If you move the bumpers in, they will work with a little ingenuity. '72, '73, '74 bumpers are all different. Bolt spacing and/or bumper brackets.
There are differences in the valances (70-71, 72-74)but I believe they are interchangeable?

[IMNCARN82]

I chose a round tail light specifically to modify. I liked the grille better too. Sounds like you have a blank page to start with.Having a direction is key.Or a "vision" to hold onto.I got into the vintage trans am/g machine theme.Mostly because of members here. There are lot's of different types of cars around.All colors,styles. I like people who make their car their own.It's worth more all done up anyway IMO. And you get to make a statement of who you are.It's like an art form.You become part of it. Look around,ask questions.Lot's of cool people on here.Maybe get a photochop from Aaron?      Budget dictates a lot. Tell us what you need it to do.    Welcome to the best site on the net. And feel free to post up sum pics!      R/T

[hotrod98]

This is what we did to my wife's 73 Barracuda. Never regretted it.

[70burntorangeT/A]

I have trouble making up my mind too (the color changing thread is mine so you probably could have guessed i cant make my mindup) just do whatever you want...that will make you that happyest in the end..but if you are going triple black you better make sure that body is super strait because you will see every little imperfection. I painted my 66 f-100 black and looking back on it i kind of regret it

[BB73Challenger]

We built my brother's Cuda ( a proper 'Cuda, but only a '74 318 version )
into what we felt was the car we wanted.

71 fenders, moved the antenna, early bumpers, pushed the front bumper in, a lot of cues from the '70-'71.
It's yours, build it your way!

[torredcuda]

It`s a 318 Barracuda,not a numbers `cuda so build like you want.

[426HEMI]

build your dream cuda that you want.  What year is your favorite?  What color is your favorite or dream?  Think about all of this then make it like you want. 

[Super Blue 72]

  I agree with everyone else.  Make it the way you like it.  There are a lot of very cool looking Barracudas/Cudas on this board that you'll have plenty of options to look at.

Are you going stock Cuda look or not so stock?  I kind of like the standard dash bezels because some of the guys have used that to house Autometer gauges that looks really racer like IMO.  If not, the Rally gauges are cool.

I might be crazy but the bumper guards on the '73-'74 cars are good if you have a daily driver.  I live close to Boston and parallell parking is basically like parking by Brail method sometimes for some people.  It'll protect that nice grill!