New Member looking for car

[Mickm]

Hello,
My name is Mick, I am from Louisiana and new to this forum.
I have been into streetrods all my life. I have an all steel 1933 Ford 3w coupe but have always wanted a Cuda or Challenger.
I am looking for a good daily driver that I can tinker on as I drive it.
If anyone has a car that fits this description and interested in parting with it, let me know.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
Mickm

[ChallengerHK]

hi, Mick,  and welcome to the site.

If you have any preferences to year or options I'd put that here as well. Will help people filter out cars you don't want.

[brads70]

Welcome!    What is your budget?  That narrows it down some.
the 70-71 Challengers and Cuda's go for more $ than the 72-74 versions

[tman]

Can start here, cars in various stages and years, might find a driver:

http://www.cars-on-line.com/dodge.html

http://www.cars-on-line.com/plymouth.html

[Mickm]

HI, ChallengerHK and brads70,
I appreciate the welcome and the information directions.

I am partial to the Cuda (like the '72-'74 best) grill design better then the Challenger, but am open to either.

I am an automotive suspension engineer in the aftermarket 4wd business but love old cars, especially streetrods and Mopar muscle cars.

I would like to start out in the $20-25K range for a purchase price. From there I would like to go resto mod styling.

I am interested in designing my own suspension upgrades and running 18's and 20's with a bit of a lower stance.

As I am new to this realm of the sport, I am doing a lot of research trying to learn what to and what not to look for in my purchase.

I am very open to any ideas and knowledge that will make my journey better.


Cheers!
Mickm
 

[Mickm]

Thanks for the two links. I have been looking at those and there are some candidates for sure.
I found this car on ebay.http://www.ebay.com/itm/390716986216?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648
Would you mind taking a look and advising ( I am a novice here)? This car can be bought for $23K and it's only 5 hrs. from me.
I am having a friend go take a look that lives nearby tomorrow.
Thanks,
Mickm

[ChallengerHK]

My guess is that you can easily get a driver 72-74 Barracuda or Cuda for less than your budget. Look around here in the Cars for Sale section, and on moparts in the e-bodies for sale. Look on craigslist. When you find something that looks good, don't be afraid to ask questions here 

[ChallengerHK]

Thanks for the two links. I have been looking at those and there are some candidates for sure.
I found this car on ebay.http://www.ebay.com/itm/390716986216?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648
Would you mind taking a look and advising ( I am a novice here)? This car can be bought for $23K and it's only 5 hrs. from me.
I am having a friend go take a look that lives nearby tomorrow.
Thanks,
Mickm

They list it as the "high price class," which means a BH at the beginning of the VIN. That was actually the average level of the cars, and it is why this one is a Barracuda and not a Cuda. No issue for you, though, just FYI.
Minor thing - listing says it has billboards, but it actually has hockey stripes.
Similarly, they list the predecessor as a B body, when it was an A-body. Taken together, these things are a sign that the dealer doesn't know Mopar. not a deal-breaker by far, but an indication that you can take some of what they say with a grain of salt.
I'm always leery of a car with new tires. I can see why this dealer would do that, but frequently near tires are a cheap way of covering suspension issues.
Ask about the motor - has it been bored, and how far? What year is the block?
Definitely looks worth checking into to me.

[Mickm]

Thanks ChallengerHK,
That is awesome information and I know absolutely none of it!
I will get answers to the questions you pose and I thank you again.

I am attaching a pic of my coupe so you see what class car I am wanting to end up with.

Thanks for all  your help
Mickm

[anlauto]

The California Kid    awesome

[moparman82]

Welcome to the site mick!

[tman]

That ebay car doesn't look too bad.  There is a dash cover on it, so it might be cracked, usual issue.  There are a lot of pics that do show good points.  Undercarriage looks like it was painted black.  Engine compartment is black, when it should be body color.  If suspension was bad, don't think it matters too much since you are planning to change all that.  For the money, it looks ok, but its best to look at it yourself and bring someone that knows what to look for.  As pointed out, there are some incorrect terminology by the dealer.  No big deal.  As said, worth a look.  Look for rusted floorboards and frame rails.  If its solid, this could be the car you are looking for. 

[MizzouRT]

Welcome, your street rod looks cool!

[Mickm]

Thanks for the kink words on my Kid.

You said not to be afraid to ask questions so I will ask another but try not to wear our my welcome going forward.

I found this car : http://www.ebay.com/itm/141137435173?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2648

and it looks to be more like what I am wanting to start with. I notice the engine compartment is the body color and the truck appears to be in good condition from the glossy paint.

Other than that, as I said, I am way out of my area of expertise. Can you advise please?  Also, I realize this is a dealer selling this car and I would rather buy from an individual but what should I be looking to pay for a car in this condition?

Thanks for all your help,

Happy Holidays,
Mickm

[ChallengerHK]

Body looks great. Oh, you mean the car 

Non-stock strobe-like stripes on the hood, but I kind of like them. Body strobe stripe is also non-stock, a amalgam of an AAR stripe and a hockey stripe. Don't like the body stripe as much.

Driver's side door gaps look kind of off to me, but I'll let others who know more about bodywork chime in there.

Rear spoiler would look better if it were the stock satin black, IMO, but that's easy to fix.

This one also looks pretty solid. I'd want to know what condition the frame rails are in; I can't see them well in the underside pics. Like the other one, worth checking out.