My Bare Bones 71 Cuda Convert Build

[hemiken]

Thanks Ken. Much appreciated.
Well I learn something new every day. What is the difference in the two? 
The only thing I thought different was the ribbed part on the bottom for challenger. 
I would like to be somewhat correct in what I do.

1970 Challenger had the ribbed standard dash bezel pieces to it, and was also available in a version with the wood facia.

I thought maybe it was a Grand Coupe dash

The surround/bezel part is Gran Coupe.

I found this on the net, they are not marked correctly to what they have listed, but this is the run down
If you look at the image, you will see that the Challenger Speedo has the numerals follow the dial indicator in a circle, but the Speedo below has the numerals all on a horizontal plain......... The lower one is Barracuda.
The smaller gauges they have shown are incorrect also, they change from make and model year as well......

[CudamanTom]

So, if I am seeing it right. The only part of by bezel being Chally is the speedo? The rest is seems to be Barracuda gauge wise?
But what makes the surround/bezel part Chally? What's different from Barracuda?
I'm learning here so bare with me, but I like to know the correct info.

[anlauto]

Ah funny....I wasn't even looking at the gauges....I was looking at the woodgrain part..

[hemiken]

Hey Tom, Alan was right with the woodgrain facia panel, that part is Barracuda Gran Coupe, the only thing out of place on your whole set up is that Speedo. Someone musy have changed it out at some point in time, pretty easy to swap out buddy.

[CudamanTom]

Hey Tom, Alan was right with the woodgrain facia panel, that part is Barracuda Gran Coupe, the only thing out of place on your whole set up is that Speedo. Someone musy have changed it out at some point in time, pretty easy to swap out buddy.

Thanks a bunch Ken for bringing that up. 
I know I don't have an original care but would like to make it somewhat correct as possible.
I'm going to change that speedo (thanks for the "easy change out" comment).
As for the woodgrain, I love the look better than the plain black and can't really afford a Rally dash with woodgrain right now. So it's stayin for a while.
Thanks again,
Tom

[hemiken]

No worries Tom, I too am going to run the standard woodgrain facia on my Barracuda's also. I really like the look of them equally to the rallye cluster, i have had about 8 rallye clusters pass through my hands, mainly 70-71 style, and have never kept any of them so far, but i may get another so i can just put it away in case i want to fit one in also.
Your build is looking real nice.

[CudamanTom]

Your build is looking real nice.

Thanks Ken.
I know this isn't a huge tricked out build with neat upgrades like some other GREAT projects currently going on, but it is fun doing this rebuild and hopefully some of the pics will help others like other builds have helped me. 

[CudamanTom]

Okay, I had to do it.
I cleaned up, painted and mounted the license plate holder. 




But then... 
I had to mount my old plate from my 70 Cuda Convertible  that I sold in 2004 
It was nice to see this plate mounted on another Cuda (clone) Convertible. 





Oh Cuda Gods.  Please forgive me for having such a dirty Cuda (well-water sucks when cleaning something that shines) 

[anlauto]

I have ten sets of personal plates...I always enjoy when I can actually use them again

[hemiken]

Thanks Ken.
I know this isn't a huge tricked out build with neat upgrades like some other GREAT projects currently going on, but it is fun doing this rebuild and hopefully some of the pics will help others like other builds have helped me. 

Well i am enjoying the build myself also

[CudamanTom]

Well got some more work done.
Installed the fresh air vent, defrost ducts, then the heater box earlier in the week.
Broke down the steering column, cleaned and painted. Also tore down another steering column to swap the shaft for manual steering for the column going in the cuda (there is a pic of the two shafts together to show the difference in length of a power steering and non-power steering shaft). Installed a bearing for the lower part of the column shaft.
The tear down of the steering column was much easier than I previously thought would be.
Yesterday my brother (in the pics) helped me install the dash assembly. 

[moparstyle]

You learn a lot from this forum.

Saw your pic above on your license plate holder and i realized that i have installed mine upside down. My stupid excuse is that in a previous life i had a couple of Chevys. They all had the plate holder bolted on the bottom...

Thanks, Tom!

[CudamanTom]

You learn a lot from this forum.

Saw your pic above on your license plate holder and i realized that i have installed mine upside down. My stupid excuse is that in a previous life i had a couple of Chevys. They all had the plate holder bolted on the bottom...

Thanks, Tom!

 
And I learn something new every day as well on here. Even when I'm not even looking for it.
I post pics of areas I don't see much of. Lots of posts in the past are deleted/removed of pics I want to see.
So hopefully posting pics (even trivial stuff) will help others out down the road.

Because of misc items I'm needing, I'm searching/asking questions of just about the whole interior/exterior of cudas to find the right answer.
And there's no other place to be for that than right here. 

While she won't be a show baby, she is still MY baby. To drive and enjoy life. 

[dutch]

what`s that in the background....      looks like trunk monkey 2.0     

great progress on the vert 

[CudamanTom]

what`s that in the background....      looks like trunk monkey 2.0     

great progress on the vert 

 
Thanks Bart.

No, that's my 8 1/2' tall animatronic Werewolf. I kinda get into Halloween.   Must have been that Phantasm movie I saw way back in the younger days that got me twisted. Not from the horror but from that Cuda.