Author Topic: hey guys, im new......ha (Read 6172 times)

cameroncatrett · « **on:** June 11, 2013 - 06:28:34 PM »

Hey guys, I'm new to the world of Mopar! I've been restoring and building "go-fast" VW's for a few years, and love it. My wife though, has a 73 cuda, shes the second owner. Matching numbers and all original with only superficial rust!!! I am not just real sure where to start. I was wondering if anyone could help me get off in the right direction. I have no idea even what kind of value this car has (we will never sell it....ever). anywho, can anyone tell me what I have right in front of me based on pictures? Oh, and did I mention that its the complete car?

moparman82 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2013 - 08:47:42 PM »

From the picture you posted, it looks to me like you have the perfect platform for whatever kin of build you like! Odds are, because it's a 73, there will never be real big value as a original restoration, so I would build it to suit your taste! Big block swaps are pretty easy, and small blocks are easily built to make big block horsepower. So I would google "cuda" and "custom cuda" and just spend an hour or so looking at what different people have done and see what tickles your fancy, then dive right in! Have fun with it, and welcome to the site from western Nebraska!

Super Blue 72 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2013 - 09:09:12 PM »

Hi Cameron, welcome!

I know a bit more about later Challengers, but if the VIN on your car starts with "BS", it's a 'Cuda, "BH" and it's a Barracuda.

5th digit will tell you if it's a H=340ci, G=318. I don't think they came with 6 cylinders in '73, did they?

Under the hood on the driver's side inner wheel well/splash guard will be a little 2.5x4" metal plate. That's your fender tag. Take a pic or read off the codes and we can decode it for you to see what options are on the car.

What sort of shape is the body?

If I had a later Cuda, I would turn it into an AAR Cuda version. Love the AAR fiberglass hood. If you aren't aware of these cars, they were made from the factory only in 1970 and were the street versions of the Trans American AAR Cudas that raced against Boss 302 Mustangs and Camaros.

torredcuda · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2013 - 09:25:09 PM »

Going by the pic I`m guessing it`s a base model Barracuda with a 318 v8 engine,nothing rare or super valuable but still a cool Mopar.

cameroncatrett · « **Reply #4 on:** June 11, 2013 - 09:28:27 PM »

Re: hey guys, im new......ha
� Reply #1 on: Today at 08:47:42 PM �

Quote

From the picture you posted, it looks to me like you have the perfect platform for whatever kin of build you like! Odds are, because it's a 73, there will never be real big value as a original restoration, so I would build it to suit your taste! Big block swaps are pretty easy, and small blocks are easily built to make big block horsepower. So I would google "cuda" and "custom cuda" and just spend an hour or so looking at what different people have done and see what tickles your fancy, then dive right in! Have fun with it, and welcome to the site from western Nebraska!

Very nice, I will do. I have a friend here in town who built a 69 from the ground up. hes offering to show me how to drop a later model 360 under the hood. may be something worth looking at.

cameroncatrett · « **Reply #5 on:** June 11, 2013 - 09:35:04 PM »

Re: hey guys, im new......ha
� Reply #2 on: Today at 09:09:12 PM �

Quote

Hi Cameron, welcome!

I know a bit more about later Challengers, but if the VIN on your car starts with "BS", it's a 'Cuda, "BH" and it's a Barracuda.

5th digit will tell you if it's a H=340ci, G=318. I don't think they came with 6 cylinders in '73, did they?

Under the hood on the driver's side inner wheel well/splash guard will be a little 2.5x4" metal plate. That's your fender tag. Take a pic or read off the codes and we can decode it for you to see what options are on the car.

What sort of shape is the body?

If I had a later Cuda, I would turn it into an AAR Cuda version. Love the AAR fiberglass hood. If you aren't aware of these cars, they were made from the factory only in 1970 and were the street versions of the Trans American AAR Cudas that raced against Boss 302 Mustangs and Camaros.

I can do that in the next day or so. We are in the process of moving, and the car has been the last to go. the really cool thing about that car though, is that, other than the obvious aged parts(that should be replaced), the whole car is there. I'm beyond excited! to top it all off, it's my wife's dream to have that car for Sunday drives again....

cameroncatrett · « **Reply #6 on:** June 11, 2013 - 09:36:19 PM »

oh....and considering the age, the body is almost flawless, inside and out!

moparelwood · « **Reply #7 on:** June 11, 2013 - 10:12:49 PM »

Welcome to the group. From the looks of it you have a nice project to work with. You and the wife will have a great car at the end of the journey. Good luck

blown motor · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2013 - 09:03:36 AM »

You must have easy access to a 360. They're not a very popular choice for a resto-mod. Good luck with whatever you do with it. It's a great hobby and there are lots of very knowledgeable and helpful people here. Ask lots of questions.

4Cruizn · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2013 - 09:17:52 AM »

Welcome to the site! Looks like a cool car to me! I have a 73 'cuda as well that I have had for over 30 years now and although it was originally a stock 340 4 speed car, I still dropped a stroked 440 in there just to have some fun! I kept the original motor and trans for future use and one day I will put the original motor back in the car!

So your car looks sweet but you never stated what motor is currently under that flat hood? A crate motor is an easy way to go . . .

Oldschool · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2013 - 09:20:52 AM »

Welcome aboard....

Cool car....

Super Blue 72 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 12, 2013 - 09:50:56 AM »

Ooops, the AAR pic didn't load, here's another.

RCCDrew · « **Reply #12 on:** June 12, 2013 - 11:42:30 AM »

Here's my 73, kind of an AAR tribute.

Super Blue 72 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 12, 2013 - 05:27:53 PM »

Nice, RCCDrew!

jimynick · « **Reply #14 on:** June 12, 2013 - 11:43:13 PM »

Welcome to the site and good luck with the car. Since you asked and since the body is in such good shape, the logical thing would be to thrash the running gear/brakes/steering/exhaust to get it moving again. Depends how deep you want to go and how much you want to spend.