71 Cuda Conv Restoration

[ragtopdodge]

Ya got a 340-car without the original motor.  It's not like a V-code or Hemi car.

One can fairly easily convert BACK to column shift, although you'll have a hole in the tunnel for the shift rod, but no one will see it unless you climb under there.

 but seriously...I think many people shy away from column shift cars b/c it's so...grandma. 

[crocha617]

That bracing pictured looks like a little too much to me. Make sure what ever bracing you decide to do you can still fit a one piece front floor pan in there & a rear under seat pan around it. The pieces are large and awkward to handle especially since it will go in and out a few times before final welding. From the photos I don't think that's happening on that one. It would also be really nice to be able to brace it in a way where you can keep the doors on it for panel alignment etc... Not sure if the doors will fit on the car pictured the bracing looks too close.  Oh and I think the floor shift will increase the value if anything....if I had kept the car it was going 4 speed.

[ShelbyDogg]

I think going from a column shift to a pistol grip manual shift adds value unless it is an original Hemi-727-column shift.
But that's just my 2cents.

Having 3 e-bodies with pistol grips lets me hear all of the compliments on the cool shifter. I'm helping another member here round up some parts to make his vert a manual shift too.

[CudamanTom]

I think going from a column shift to a pistol grip manual shift adds value unless it is an original Hemi-727-column shift.
But that's just my 2cents.

Having 3 e-bodies with pistol grips lets me hear all of the compliments on the cool shifter. I'm helping another member here round up some parts to make his vert a manual shift too.

 

[MizzouRT]

I agree that converting your automatic to floor from column shift shouldn't hurt the value of your car.  Not a numbers car anyway, and column shift is always going to be the least desirable option.  While you have it apart is a great opportunity to make the change.

[larry4406]

Here are some pictures of the door braces i built for my ragtop.  The doors are still in place.  I based my design on the one's Clark Classics has in their pictures of vert's on a rotissorie.  The brace is made from some scrap angle, a piece of channel, and 1' square tubing.  I started with the car on tires and door gaps good.  The upper anchor bolts top using the folding top mechanism bolt holes.  The bottom rear bolts to the seat belt anchor.  The front is thru bolted

[HEMIHUNTER]

Looks awesome !   Question,   the 70 Cuda vert that my client bought from my friend is being restored at " speedos paint and body ",  see web site,  the car is apart, just a skeleton, rear quarters off too,  my concern is that there is NO BRACING whatsoever !!!    is this the proper way to do an E-body vert ?

[anlauto]

NO BRACING whatsoever !!!    is this the proper way to do an E-body vert ?

Short answer NO  That's not the proper way to restore any uni-bodied car....it's not the worse way to do it I guess.
, but it certainly isn't the best.

Before any metal work starts the car should be stripped 100% media blasted and epoxy primed if it's going to sit.

Before ANY body panels like 1/4's are cut off a car. The car should be secured to a jig table in my opinion.

The restoration place your buddies car is at is a joke in my opinion. Certainly not the way I do cars, but then again, maybe he's getting what he's paying for ?

[HEMIHUNTER]

    Im worried, the car was taken apart as you see on web site, then shipped out for media blasting,  ( in a trailer that hasn't been registered since 20011 )  I think floors were taken out as well but im not sure as I don't go there anymore..

  Funny, he thinks he's a magazine restoration shop..

[HEMIHUNTER]

AND he broke the original windshield........

[ragtopdodge]

Maybe i missed it, but that '70 'Cuda 'vert resto...I don't see it put on a rotisserie.  If they aren't planning on it, then don't see what's wrong w/no bracing unless they start cutting off all the quarters and/or floor pans.

[johns cuda shop]

Seems like overkill to me. A couple of braces and you should be fine.  .

Short answer NO  That's not the proper way to restore any uni-bodied car....it's not the worse way to do it I guess.
, but it certainly isn't the best.

Before any metal work starts the car should be stripped 100% media blasted and epoxy primed if it's going to sit.

Before ANY body panels like 1/4's are cut off a car. The car should be secured to a jig table in my opinion.

The restoration place your buddies car is at is a joke in my opinion. Certainly not the way I do cars, but then again, maybe he's getting what he's paying for ?

[anlauto]

Maybe i missed it, but that '70 'Cuda 'vert resto...I don't see it put on a rotisserie.  If they aren't planning on it, then don't see what's wrong w/no bracing unless they start cutting off all the quarters and/or floor pans.

With the way they trimmed out the 1/4's so far...Maybe they can get away with it, but the complete 1/4 panel on a convertible and hardtop plays an integral part of the uni-body shell. with it sitting on loaded suspension, the rear end of the car will want to fold in, especially if the frame rails are weak.

Every shop restores cars differently , I've done a lot of major rusty cars, so I use the same format for all jobs.

In my opinion, the first step in any restoration is to completely strip the car and media blast, these guys who do rust repair to one area while the other areas are still covered in rust are completely crazy in my mind.

[ragtopdodge]

Ya, don't understand how you can start welding on new stuff when you got rust still on the car.  How do you know there isn't more repair needed?

 

My Challenger was dipped before we started welding on new metal.   Once completed, we plan on dipping it again to remove surface rust that developed and getting it galvanized prior to the epoxy.

[hemiken]

Interesting thread and i am looking forward to the build. I personally would be fitting that convertible to a frame jig also, i have a 1970 Barracuda convertible and it is going on to a jig after i have it media blasted, i also have a clients 1970 Challenger convertible coming here next week also that will be getting the exact same treatment as every othe E-body Mopar, best way to check any car is to put it on a jig as it is pretty hard to determine if some cars have had work or damage in their life before, it is like reassurance using a jig, checking for squarness.
Good luck with the Vert build and i will be watching it as you move along also