My 70 Cuda

[Mattie Cuda]

I'm working on a 70 'Cuda 340 with a 4 speed that was really rough. I bought it for too much money...never dreamed it could be so bad..I bought it online off a few lousy pictures. I have been messing around for a couple years on it. I want to have it going by spring..I can't stand having parts all over the place anymore.  I enjoy reading about 'Cudas that others are working on.. I'm glad most people are smart enough to start with a better car than mine. This one probably should have been crushed when it was left for dead in 1984. I used to say they all should be saved but I don't know anymore..this was bad. I wouldn't go through what I have in the last two winters ever again..not even on a Hemi. I try to put up a few pic from over the last couple years but this said they were too large. Anyway..Have a great day folks.

[74challenger03]

welcome andhope you can put those pics up.I think we all feel your pain.When i bought my challenger the body appears to be workable,but the wiring was a mess.

[Jamiez]

Welcome   Sorry your car didn't turn out to be all you had hoped..but great that you are sticking with it.

You should use Photobucket or a similar site to host photos.  Photos posted directly to the site are only available for a period of time before they are removed to save space.  You can find a Photobucket tutorial here: http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=70049.0

Several members have brought some pretty far gone cars

[NCtrueconservative]

I'm working on a 70 'Cuda 340 with a 4 speed that was really rough. I bought it for too much money...never dreamed it could be so bad..I bought it online off a few lousy pictures. I have been messing around for a couple years on it. I want to have it going by spring..I can't stand having parts all over the place anymore.  I enjoy reading about 'Cudas that others are working on.. I'm glad most people are smart enough to start with a better car than mine. This one probably should have been crushed when it was left for dead in 1984. I used to say they all should be saved but I don't know anymore..this was bad. I wouldn't go through what I have in the last two winters ever again..not even on a Hemi. I try to put up a few pic from over the last couple years but this said they were too large. Anyway..Have a great day folks.

No worries man, I have been / am in your shoes. Just stick with it, you've made it this far

[71340RT]

Glad you are saving the 70 340 Cuda. I can tell you I'm not sure if any of my E-bodies should of been saved as they all needed lots of work, parts, and money. I have learned lots about these cars over the years and try not to get discouraged when things move along slowly or more parts need to be bought. I really enjoy my e-body cars and hope to buy more project cars till I can't do it anymore. Good luck with your Cuda.

[Topcat]

No worries man, I have been / am in your shoes. Just stick with it, you've made it this far

 
Stick around. It'll re motivate you. We all go thru this sooner or later.

As far as pictures...Go to www.Imageshack.com
So easy a Caveman could do it.

Just upload the desired picture, pick 800 x 600, copy forum code on the left.
Paste it here on your new message reply. Delete the last line...Imageshack yaddi yaddi.
Post and you're done. That easy!

[Mattie Cuda]

Thanks for the replies..I'll get some pics on here for the heck of it one of these days...maybe some of you who watch eBay close will recognize it..i bought it in the spring of 2009. Take care.

[brads70]

Welcome!  Looking forward to some pictures! My first e-body ( in the 80's) was really bad. The dude I bought it from used cardboard and rubberized undercoating to make frame rails and expandable foam to fill holes in the firewall. We have all been there....keep plugging away! First time/ride around the block and the pain will dissipate ! LOL

[Mattie Cuda]

Here are some pics...I have a lot of pics but these are generally show what its like. It was originally white with red interior and a black hockey stripe. It had a 72 340 that was missing parts and when I got it running it was leaking water out of a head like crazy. I pulled it out and put in a 73 340 that I've had around that is super built up and sounds just nuts. The fender tag is rusted real bad and the motor isn't original so I was just going to patch it up and paint it black. I'm just going to have it in black sealer and put all of the trim and my big Cragars on it and drive it around this summer. This is my 3rd E-body..and the worst one yet..but it's growing on me and I plan to keep it. I can't wait till it's in one piece so I can sell all of my spare parts. Have a good day..don't laugh too hard at this rat. http://s1148.photobucket.com/albums/o566/howsthisforausernamethen/

[Cuda416]

Hah, at least yours has a core support! You'd hurt your legs on my k-member if your not paying attention Around mine.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Some some serious cancer there.   

You have more talent than myself to try and bring that back to life. The engine bay looks great!

What are your plans as far as color on the interior and exterior?

[Mattie Cuda]

I was going to paint it it's original white and fix up the red interior then thought I would paint it black...but still not sure so this summer I'm going to drive it in some kind of a flat black sealer/primer. I have a nice black 74 'Cuda interior I'll use for now..my '70 seats need to be redone. I think its just time to drive it and move on to another project..maybe help my brothers with some of their stuff.

['Cuda Hunter]

Wow!  That is a stunning car.  White with RED interior and a hockey stripe! 
That is totally worth saving.
Stay with the red interior!

Got a fender tag readout?

[Topcat]

I was going to paint it it's original white and fix up the red interior then thought I would paint it black...but still not sure so this summer I'm going to drive it in some kind of a flat black sealer/primer. I have a nice black 74 'Cuda interior I'll use for now..my '70 seats need to be redone. I think its just time to drive it and move on to another project..maybe help my brothers with some of their stuff.

Red interiors are a 1 year option. 70 Cuda.
Are the tags salvageable? They can be de-rusted with Evaporust. 

Why flat black? If you decide to paint it white?
That's not what a good body shop would do. A grey or yellow primer is what they'd use I'd think.
My shop turned me onto Marhyde which was a pretty good build primer.

[Mattie Cuda]

Yeah white with red interior with the black stripe must have been sharp when it was new. I had a 70 318 barracuda convert that was white with blue interior..I didn't like the white...maybe the black stripe and the rocker gills would help this one I don't know.  It would be great to restore it all original but its not worth it since the fender tag is rusted beyond reading...the red interior I have is pretty much junk and the motor isn't original...plus it would need better bodywork before I would paint it. I really just want to just rip around with it for the summer..so primer will be fine for now. Maybe when I get some other projects done I'll redo it..but for now it will be nice to leave the car anywhere and not worry about it. Its just going to be a driver..nothing special...just needs to be in one piece again for now. I'm excited for spring.