My Bare Bones 71 Cuda Convert Build

[CudamanTom]

Hey guys and girls,

Been hibernating for the past couple months (I'm heavy into animated to music Christmas displays) and now I'm ready to back to the Mopar fun.

I purchased a 71 cuda convert "clone" last May 2013, totally stripped down and now I'm ready to get her back together again.
The body itself is good to go inside and out except for exterior paint. The only thing on the car is the windshield, some chrome trim, bumpers, doors, hood and deck lid. The rear end is in place and that's about it. I did purchase new spindles and disc brake set-up to replace the drum set-up. The interior is totally bare (dash assembly also removed) with sheet metal only. I also purchased complete new exhaust/header system. Headers are currently installed on the engine/tranny.
So, I want to replace the fuel lines, brake lines and wiring, which I have. None of this is in place at this time.
I believe I have all the interior items and under hood items to include a 440 mounted to a 833 tranny which is all setting to the side ready for install.

Any questions or suggestions and tips are requested and encouraged.

I hope to make this a learning thread for others that may be in the same boat some day or at this current time. I will be taking pics of the progress and we'll see what happens.

P.S. To not confuse anyone, I also have a 71 cuda hardtop (Sassy Grass Green) with a 440/727 set-up and will try to complete in conjunction with the vert.
But the vert is my priority 

And a serious point here. I am building these for my pleasure of driving them till I die with "no" plans to resell or flip. I'm wanting a driver (or two), not doing a bunch of car shows to get biggest trophy. I want to enjoy life in my two favorite makes of cars ever. That's about it. Of course the wife has claimed the hardtop on dual cruises so I gotta please the little lady as well.  and that's okay. As long as I have my vert. 

So here is how she sits now.

[Falbz]

Wow very nice car - I'm drooling  look forward to watching the build

[4Cruizn]

Sweet car!  So did you get all the parts to build the car or do you have to source them all? 

[hemiken]

  Love it. What plans do you have for the interior, have you picked a colour or did any of the interior pieces come with the car.......
That Black sure is shiny did i mention i love it

[jimynick]

Fabulous car, just fab! Sincerely jealous, too. 

[CudamanTom]

Sweet car!  So did you get all the parts to build the car or do you have to source them all? 

Thanks. I believe about 90% of the parts came with the car. They are in boxes right now. I won't know for sure till I start tackling each area but most original parts are included.

[CudamanTom]

Love it. What plans do you have for the interior, have you picked a colour or did any of the interior pieces come with the car.......
That Black sure is shiny did i mention i love it

Thank you Ken,
For the interior I'm on the fence with either black or white. No interior panels came with the car but I did purchase new carpet and purchased used original white interior panels last summer. But not sure if I want to go woth black ones.
And all the seats are bare bone as well so new foam and covers will be on the list of things to find. Plus a new top.
So I'm debating white or black for interior and top. Both look awesome on other cudas so it's tough to decide but leaning towards black.

[hemiken]

Thank you Ken,
For the interior I'm on the fence with either black or white. No interior panels came with the car but I did purchase new carpet and purchased used original white interior panels last summer. But not sure if I want to go woth black ones.
And all the seats are bare bone as well so new foam and covers will be on the list of things to find. Plus a new top.
So I'm debating white or black for interior and top. Both look awesome on other cudas so it's tough to decide but leaning towards black.

Have you considered other colours for the interior ? Or have you mind up on those two choices. . . . . . . . 

[CudamanTom]

Have you considered other colours for the interior ? Or have you mind up on those two choices. . . . . . . . 

Ken, I have thought of red a couple times. My mind isn't stuck on one color just yet. Looking at pics online to see what looks best and the different options out there.

[crocha617]

Is this the car out of California? Was this the one that was converted from a hardtop by chance?

[Haddixj]

Cool build I think your right about the Ca car. It was on eBay I think south of me a few hundred miles

[CudamanTom]

Is this the car out of California? Was this the one that was converted from a hardtop by chance?

Yes

[dutch]

hey Tom, cool project    what kind of wiring are you planning?  (custom or plug play)

[crocha617]

Yes

I was bidding on it one of the times it was on ebay & I really liked it but I had 2 cars already at the time and I was also 3000 miles away. I later found out a friend of mine & member on here was bidding on it as well.

[CudamanTom]

hey Tom, cool project    what kind of wiring are you planning?  (custom or plug play)

Thanks Bart,
Well some wiring came with it, original stuff. I did purchase a new harness for the engine compartment. So mostly reinstall and plug and play but I'm sure there will be little custom stuff but trying to keep to original as possible.