Author Topic: Building a "Future 'Cuda"  (Read 1959 times)

Offline cudabeforeIdie

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Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« on: March 31, 2012 - 12:22:13 AM »
Surprise! I failed to win MegaMillions tonight, so no offer to the owners of the "last hemi 'cuda" or to someone who owns a 71 hemi flip top.
IE, back to the drawing board.  The more I read here, the more I talk to folks, the chances of finding a numbers matching or 'real' hemi cuda are slim to none, especially with a limited budget. If I want it, I might have to build it, and if I have to build it, there will be no 'rules'.

So how about this, tell me if I'm nuts....

Picture a car that looks like a stock '71 hemi cuda, right down to the dog dishes! Then you open the doors -
leather furniture that's a cross between the new CTS and a 05 Grand Marquis... heated and cooled 10 way seats w/massage, AC, power windows, doors, locks, automatic wipers, remote start, TPMS, digital dash, HUD, Nav, OnStar/XM, MP3/CD, even twin DVD players in the rear, Bose sound system, steering wheel with all kinds of lit touch controls, LED lighting inside, but I'll keep the pistol grip shifter. Let's make it a vert or put in a power moon roof. And of course a hemi engine.

How about the paint job... starts in the front Tor-Red, bleeds to Curios Yellow, then to black... and a new Hemi logo for the sides... silver

I was thinking the other day (it happens) what if a 'cuda engineer is sketching out the '71 sometime in 1970 but had 'seen' the technology that's available today, what would he do?  What would a "future 'cuda" look like inside?

Dreaming....

And I emailed the guy with the green 'cuda, I'll let you know what happens.

Laurie




Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2012 - 02:12:14 AM »
Good luck hope it works out for you and you can start your journey!!  8)

Offline dutch

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2012 - 04:23:30 AM »
I think you`re missing the point there....   it`s all about driving a classic beast, with all it`s pro`s and con`s.  If you want it to be as comfy as a rolls royce, buy a rolls royce.   .... but that`s just my opinion
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Offline torredcuda

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2012 - 09:09:38 AM »
 :iagree: Pro touring is cool but I like the stiff ride,lumpy idle,loud exhaust and everything else that is a `70`s musclecar.   :2thumbs:
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2012 - 09:25:11 AM »
A clone is just that a clone of the origional, Fun to drive and Hemi clones generally do go for more money if you ever sell. The better the economy the better the chances. They will also make people get whiplash to get a prolonged look at it. Pro tourings are nice too seen some really nice ones here on the site. Depends of what your vision is with you behind the wheel and do what make you Happy!  :2cents:

  I would be just as happy behind any v8 cuda or challenger, clone or not!!, .. it is a drug to me!

Offline GranCuda1970

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2012 - 09:34:56 AM »
If Mine had still had the origional 230hp 318 in it I would have left it in there! I have never driven a Hemi or a 440 so it will be a new experience for me when i get to stretch her legs! :burnout: :bigsmile:

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #6 on: March 31, 2012 - 11:41:13 AM »
I more or less agree with Dutch. I don't want a musclecar to feel luxurious. I want it to kick me in the ass when I nail the pedal. A good friend of mine likes performance with a luxury feel, and he goes for old cop cars.

That being said, there are lots of people who go the luxury route, and they have some nice cars. The only thing I really can't get behind is the "pimp my ride" wheels, 18" or larger, that just don't fit with the muclecar look.

But, as you'll hear a thousand times, you should do what makes you happy when you get your car.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline Topcat

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #7 on: March 31, 2012 - 11:54:00 AM »
Anybody can change a car with enough money to make it new technology. I like em kept stock.

Can you imagine if people everywhere wanted to start changing everything from what it was like originally?

Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline johannes

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2012 - 12:54:54 PM »
........If I want it, I might have to build it, and if I have to build it, there will be no 'rules'.

So how about this, tell me if I'm nuts....

To quote Dirty Harry ; " Opinions are like a$$holes,....everybody's got one..."

There is nothing wrong with personal preference, even if the true followers allways will hold a grudge...
Increased comfort like less noize and good seats does not have to drastically change the looks of the car.
Neither do performance upgrades like rack and pinion steering, and similar.

If you are the only person to like your upgrade, you might consider listening to others.....

I don't know all the threads that has been on this board over the years,...but I assume there has been quite a few "unfortunate" modifications done over the years....and many of them has been criticised....

My preference ;
Reduce engine noize = hydraulic lifters or roller hydraulic lifters.
...DYNAMAT or similar + decent mufflers.
Low RPM at cruising = Fit an GV OverDrive behind the tranny.

Things I've seen that is not to my taste ;
Steering wheel with airbag ...made the steering wheel look too "beefy" .
Modern seats with wide square looking headrest....

As for standing out, a special paintjob will do the trick...
I'm no good at picturing things inside my head,...so photoshop  illustrations will be needed.
Since you are considering chopping of the roof,...maybe you can do something unique to the roofline and soft top?
As for drivetrain, make it robust,...so you don't have to wrench all the time....
There will ALLWAYS be someone with a more brutal engine...

Start fotoshopping, or modify a scaled plastic model ??
 :useless:

Offline TorOrange

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #9 on: March 31, 2012 - 01:07:58 PM »
I think the cuda interior is one of the best looking interior ever ( not including luxury, sports or super cars)
1 of the reasons why I love the cuda. So I like them very close to stock.  :2cents:
WANTED 71 cuda / barracuda project. Prefer Black but open.

Offline 06Daytona

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #10 on: March 31, 2012 - 01:46:12 PM »
If you're looking for all the luxuries of a Caddy with the look of an old Cuda then I think your best option would be to get a fully loaded new Challenger and have someone swap out the grille and tail panel for a 71 Cuda style. It would be loads cheaper than mixing and matching parts from a bunch of other cars.
1972 Cuda 340 4 barrel 4 speed that looks like a 71
2006 Dodge Charger R/T Daytona
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel 4X4
2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible (Kidmobile)
1972 Dodge Charger 318 auto
1970 Challenger 440/727 auto
1973 Plymouth Duster 340/auto (Making it Panther Pink for the wife)
2006 Honda Civic Hybrid (It doesn't save gas, it just diverts it to the Cuda/Challenger)
In desperate need of more property for my growing Mopar family

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #11 on: March 31, 2012 - 02:02:46 PM »
Like so



"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline challengerx

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2012 - 03:08:58 PM »
Go to rjcars.com and check out the 70 challenger pro street photo gallery. The car was at our show here last weekend, I believe it has a mercedes dash that blends into old panels. The car was at Carlisle also last year, it is beautiful and done right, but I to like the old feel of these cars. Good thing is we live in a time where we can choose to drive old school muscle that are bare bones or modern muscle with nav and air.

Offline cudabeforeIdie

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #13 on: March 31, 2012 - 05:07:56 PM »
Excellent comments, appreciate them all.

After seeing so many 'ideas' at WOW today, most were hideous, I might be better off trying to stay more 'stock' that 'concept'....

Who knows.... but it sure is fun to think about.

Laurie

Offline The4ork

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Re: Building a "Future 'Cuda"
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2012 - 10:29:35 PM »
i say add a/c and the hemi to a vert with a really nice paint job, but not too nice, remember you want to drive it still!

as for the interior... i should shoot some pics of mine when i get the door panels hung back on. i think you would like it ;) its been 100% redone in a custom but retro-stockish kind of way.