Barracuda or Clone Cuda?

[cudaneil]

 
               Hi Jim welcome to the best forum.   My advice to you is firstly look at prices and availability of parts. because some of the stuff for E-body cars is hard to find especially interior plastics etc. for example door panels are very expensive.
This will help with what you decide to do with your Barracuda.

Secondly, as you know the Barracuda was the "plain jane" version and the Cuda the "sport" version, they are not the same car
as some people think. Cudas have upgrade suspension etc.  So do what you want to do with your car to please yourself,but dont try to fool people into thinking the car is a Cuda.............Leave the barracuda name on the rear panel !

 I think that will gain more respect.          Good luck !                                                                                   

[360 'CUDA]

I agree with Neil. You can upgrade the suspension, paint and drop in a HEMI if you want but keep the Barracuda on the tail. It looks even better with the tail blacked out IMO.

[ladman]

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

That's a badass car, hotrod.

[Road_Runner]

I agree with Neil. You can upgrade the suspension, paint and drop in a HEMI if you want but keep the Barracuda on the tail. It looks even better with the tail blacked out IMO.

Point taken.  #1 I would never tell anyone it was anything other than what it was, a Barracuda with x, y & z added to it.  If that included Cuda Emblems it would only be because it fit better with my vision or something like that!

I also tend to agree with keeping a car basically what it is.  A friend of mine with a Superbird tried for years to get me to create a clone with my 70 RR.  No way I would, but that's basically because I'd rather do justice to what it was when I was terrorizing the streets as a teenager!  So for it I'm staying 100% honest in that it has to look like it just drove off the street from the 1970's.  Now, what's hidden inside the block, under the car, etc. is totally fair game.

I have a similar vision for the Barracuda.  I want it to closely look like an original car, definitely keeping that classic look, but with modern touchs (wider wheels, bigger tires, etc.).  So if I add things that only came on Cuda's I'm inclined to go along with the illusion and swap out the badging as well. 

But who knows, that's why I started this thread because if it was an easy decision for me I'd already have made it.  What is kind of neat is that it's 'only' a Barracuda yet was special ordered with the 'Cuda' hood and its listed as an ordered option on the fender tag. 

I'm definitely staying with a small block and possibly the 318 & the 8 3/4 rear, will wait to decide on whether or not to drop in a 4 speed or maybe 5 speed Tremec.  My vision for the car means whatever I do to it has to fit the vague parameters of Mopar's classic pony car.  Now a days, people think of them more as a muscle car, but back then they were thought of as either mostly depending on engines, etc.

I appreciate your & Neil's point of view.

Thanks, Jim

[cudaneil]

Hi jim,
        My point is, it does not matter WHY you put on a set of "CUDA" emblems.   If you put them on, you are advertising

the car as something it is not, to other people.  I just think it takes something away from your car when you do that.

because when people realise that its a barracuda with cuda emblems,they will lose respect for it.

I cant explain it any better.   maybe the answer is not to fit any emblems at all.   Hope you understand what i am saying.   

People have asked me why i put a set of AAR strobe stripes on my 340 Cuda,and i tell them that its because i really like them

and they break up the color of the car more. But notice there are no AAR emblems on the car.

[the_engineers]

I'm confused...you're telling him "do it your way" except for the logo on the tailpanel where you're telling him "do it my way".

I don't think respect is lost or gained by whether the tail emblem is script or block letters.  If his vision of how he wants it includes the 'CUDA logo, that's his call.

IIRC, you got pretty upset in another thread because someone pointed out that your paint wasn't available in that year.  I'll step up and point out that, in addition, you have an extra pentastar, the wrong wheel centers ('71), wrong go-wing ('70) and your hood paint is incorrect.  Despite all of these "misrepresentations", I think you ahve a beautiful car and I don't respect it any less.

It's his car and it's his call.  As long as he doesn't change the VIN, it is what it is, and is his to enjoy. 

[Jimmy]

AMEN!!!

[Confederate Cuda]

Hey Jim,
Just have fun and remember this should be strees relief.  As long as you don't change the VIN everything else is game in my opinion. As far as the bumpers go I think Chryco said it best we he said he like boobs on his woman not his car Here are a couple of pics of my 73.
Mark

[the_engineers]

Takes my breath away everytime I see it.

[cudaneil]

I'm confused...you're telling him "do it your way" except for the logo on the tailpanel where you're telling him "do it my way".

I don't think respect is lost or gained by whether the tail emblem is script or block letters.  If his vision of how he wants it includes the 'CUDA logo, that's his call.

IIRC, you got pretty upset in another thread because someone pointed out that your paint wasn't available in that year.  I'll step up and point out that, in addition, you have an extra pentastar, the wrong wheel centers ('71), wrong go-wing ('70) and your hood paint is incorrect.  Despite all of these "misrepresentations", I think you ahve a beautiful car and I don't respect it any less.

It's his car and it's his call.  As long as he doesn't change the VIN, it is what it is, and is his to enjoy. 

    Ok point taken, but can i point out that nobody was talking about being correct.  I never wanted a "correct" car.

  I just think its a bad idea to put cuda badges on a barracuda,as they are different cars.   Hey, he will do as he likes,his car his money and i respect that.                   Thanks for your comments.     

[cudaneil]

      MOVING ON............................Mark that is indeed a breathtakingly beautiful car you have,,,,,,,,congrats !

[Fred]

I too have struggled with this question, having a similar situation.  So I can give you my opinion based on my thoughts.

Mine is a 71 original owner 318 with some interesting options; Torred, bulge hood, interior houndstooth orange seats, pedastal cassette player, luggage rack, side moulding...
...therefore I feel the need to keep it as original as possible with the exception of headers, 8 3/4 rear,  performance upgrades to engine, better wheels.

If your car is kind of plain, with a color and options you are not wild about, then I would change color and do whatever you can afford.

A 72 rear valence with cutouts fit on my 71.

[tommyg29]

I dont have any problem with putting 'cuda emblems on a Barracuda. Mine is a 318 "deputy" cloned to a 440-6 4 speed, etc. and all the emblems, but I'm not trying to pass it off as anything other than what it is. Its a tribute car if you will, and if anyone ever asks the details, I'm more than happy to tell them.
In fact I actually get off on ragging about my car and how I probably paid less for it than they did their Honda accord!
And I have to agree that is one of the coolest looking '73s I've ever seen
Heres mine, which I also think is a fantastic car, but just like with women, it never hurts to ogle other cars too 





PS  I love posting pics of it too

[the_engineers]

 

[70burntorangeT/A]

Hey Jim,
Just have fun and remember this should be strees relief.  As long as you don't change the VIN everything else is game in my opinion. As far as the bumpers go I think Chryco said it best we he said he like boobs on his woman not his car Here are a couple of pics of my 73.
Mark

Where did you get that gauge cluster?