Destruction of a 71 Cuda...

[anlauto]

  How anybody can take an original FJ6 Sassy Grass green 1971 340 4spd Cuda and do this to it is beyond me

This is just roughed in now. I have to remove it all and build the rear end with Wilwood Discs and paint and detail everything....

More pictures of the project here: http://www.alangallantautomotiverestoration.com/RESTO-MOD-1971-CUDA.html

Apparently he couldn't find a decent 318 car to modify

[brads70]

Your lucky he didn't bring you this one to start with! 
http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/cto/4159324843.html

[anlauto]

Your lucky he didn't bring you this one to start with! 
http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/cto/4159324843.html

I could see that one with a full tube chassis...


I guess these modified cars are what's hot, so I have to jump on the band wagon...

[1970 RT Challenger 1970]

Your lucky he didn't bring you this one to start with! 
http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/cto/4159324843.html

He is selling Rust by the ton!

[Super Blue 72]

I can see that it has the adjustable coil overs which is cool to make it "adjustable" but I wonder how much better that suspension is over stock? 

[HP2]

I take it you have some inside info that tells you it is all original?

We've recently seen a similar deal on a 70 Challenger 6 pak car that someone cut up as well and converted to a chevy LS, of all things, in the simple name of expediancy for the build.

My take on this is that we don't know all the details around some of the decision process to head down this route, which could be mixed vins, rebodies, etc, and not the least of which is some poeple flat out don't care.

How much better are these set us, it depends. IMO, many of these are simply subscribing to the "its new therefore better" principle. IMO, many of these drivers would be hard pressed to make these coil over set ups out run a vintage trans am car, which were on t-bars and leaf springs. Further proof of that was seen in the recent PHR street car of the year contest where the Hotchkis Taxi on their TVS system came in second plece in the autocross, besting a large number of purpose built, coil over sprung Camaros with 3-4x the money in the suspensions.

[Super Blue 72]

HP2, I have to say regarding all your responses, you are like the voice of facts and logic.  Always a great answer and it's much appreciated.

You're like the Mr. Spock of Mopars!

[anlauto]

I take it you have some inside info that tells you it is all original?

I restored the car about 5 years ago. At that time It was restored to the original broadcast sheet...even without a radio...

But you're 100% correct.......The current owner bought it about 8 weeks ago for a fair chunk of cash, and could give a rats azz about originality...He probably had a harder time comvincing me to take on the job then he did deciding to modify his "new car"

The 340/4spd were not numbers matching so they are out and a 440 is in....

[brads70]

I guess these modified cars are what's hot, so I have to jump on the band wagon...

   that must be killing you!

[brads70]

How much better are these set us, it depends. IMO, many of these are simply subscribing to the "its new therefore better" principle. IMO, many of these drivers would be hard pressed to make these coil over set ups out run a vintage trans am car, which were on t-bars and leaf springs. Further proof of that was seen in the recent PHR street car of the year contest where the Hotchkis Taxi on their TVS system came in second plece in the autocross, besting a large number of purpose built, coil over sprung Camaros with 3-4x the money in the suspensions.

Once you figure out what the problem is with these cars and poor handling and address it
( bad...HORRIBLE! bumpsteer, caster,too soft spring rates, and good shocks and tires) they work pretty good.
I remember when I first bought my car I had plans to cut off the front clip at the firewall and weld in a Camaro based clip. ( I even has parts bought before the car was shipped!)
Glad "someone" talked me out of that!    

[torredcuda]

So you are mad about it but you are the one doing it??? I understand you need to pay the bills but  and yes I`m sure if you didn`t take the job someone else would. 

[anlauto]

I wouldn't say I'm really "mad" about it, just not what I'm used to doing. After this Cuda I'm doing a 71 Challenger with some updates as well, so like I said...kind of the direction of the hobby I guess....Won't find me doing it to my own cars...

[ragtopdodge]

All that stuff is fairly reversible.

It's a 340 non-numbers car, so not TOO rare to cut and weld on.

Curious how that Control Freak, RMS-copied suspension will work.

 

[RzeroB]

I can see that it has the adjustable coil overs which is cool to make it "adjustable" but I wonder how much better that suspension is over stock? 

It's better IF you actually know how to tune it.

I had a Hayabusa for a while and it had an infinitely adjustable suspension (spring preload, compression dampning, and rebound dampning) front and rear. Yeah I know it's a motorcycle, but with so much adjustability in the suspension it was easy to get lost on all the possible combinations of adjustments. It took a a lot of "one click at a time" adjusting until I finally got it sorted out for what seemed like the best setup for my riding style.

[RzeroB]

We've recently seen a similar deal on a 70 Challenger 6 pak car that someone cut up as well and converted to a chevy LS, of all things, in the simple name of expediancy for the build.

 

We've recently seen a similar deal on a 70 Challenger 6 pak car that someone cut up as well and converted to a chevy LS, of all things, in the simple name of expediancy for the build.

My take on this is that we don't know all the details around some of the decision process to head down this route, which could be mixed vins, rebodies, etc, and not the least of which is some poeple flat out don't care.

True. At some point we all probably hacked up a good car or two - I'm certainly guilty of doing that. But for the most part that was "back in the day" when the cars were plentiful, relatively cheap, and not too many people knew any better not to hack them up.

Today, 40+ years later, I thought that most of the cars that managed to survive relatively intact, would be in the hands of enthusiast who appreciated them for what they were and are. Now the nice suvivors are scarce, expensive and too valuable to hack up - unless of course you have have really deep pockets and like you said, "flat out don't care."