Recommendation Requested

[jimynick]

Let me wish you good luck with finding a '71 Cuda, the unicorn of Cuda's. As for engines, ultimately the choice will be what your ego demands, because a good running 340, will either keep up with a 440 or spank it and I've had a couple that did it. Good advice has been given that you should buy the best car you can afford and that'll surely come the forefront with these cars. Depending on your knowledge of these cars, I'd suggest getting a prospective car on a hoist and go over it very carefully. These cars started rotting 10 minutes after they came off the assembly line and ,as mentioned, remedial work is brutally expensive if  required. I admire your choice as I really like the 71's too and hope you find a good one. 

[427_racer]

Although nothing is correct on the car it was still important to get the car to look like it did in the day. It has stock exhaust & poliglass tires. The car wasn't painted it factory light green but the previous owner went with a high impact colour. It is a true 340 cuda. I like them looking stock. It's still a work in progress. It was a good car as no sheet metal has been replaced with the exception of hood & rear valance. Came out of Wisc..Joe

I think this is perfect, beautiful car.

[cuda hunter]

Authentic?

Way more Ebodies made with the 318 and slant six's.

Get a regular car for the authentic drive around.
I have several cars that are 318's .  They start everytime.
Run where I want them to and have very little issue's.

A 340 and big blocks are fine and fun, but for an authentic drive around car the 318 is far more common. 

[427_racer]

Authentic?

Way more Ebodies made with the 318 and slant six's.

Get a regular car for the authentic drive around.
I have several cars that are 318's .  They start everytime.
Run where I want them to and have very little issue's.

A 340 and big blocks are fine and fun, but for an authentic drive around car the 318 is far more common. 

Starting every time definitely a plus.

Did the 318s have much lope? And that would be Barracuda only, no Cudas with the 318, right?

[427_racer]

Let me wish you good luck with finding a '71 Cuda, the unicorn of Cuda's. As for engines, ultimately the choice will be what your ego demands, because a good running 340, will either keep up with a 440 or spank it and I've had a couple that did it. Good advice has been given that you should buy the best car you can afford and that'll surely come the forefront with these cars. Depending on your knowledge of these cars, I'd suggest getting a prospective car on a hoist and go over it very carefully. These cars started rotting 10 minutes after they came off the assembly line and ,as mentioned, remedial work is brutally expensive if  required. I admire your choice as I really like the 71's too and hope you find a good one. 

Appreciate the input. Are there any dealers reputable that would negate the need for an inspection? I would plan on paying for an inspection by an expert unless there's a dealer that's so well-regarded that would make it unnecessary.

[cuda hunter]

There are cuda's out there that had the 318.  Not many but a few.
Mostly bh barracuda's and bp gran coupe had them.

Not a performance motor by any means. 
They can be made to be pretty fast.
Just depends on what you are after.

Everyone in the hobby wants the cuda with the hi po motor. 
Very few want the lower horse motors. 
That is a sign of the times.  Back in the day, although I was not there and rely on old guys stories, standard cars had standard motors.  Didn't have more than 2700 aar's and even less t/a's.  Hemi was considered a gas guzzler and not as easy to tune as the 440. 
  When you come across 1970 bh barracuda's in your search, please share the info as two or three of us specifically look for BH barracuda's. 
Personally I have been looking for a BOB car.  The 198 slant 6

This is what I look for.  https://forum.e-bodies.org/cars-for-sale-or-wanted/8/wanted-1970-barracuda-with-m46-option/551/
and
https://forum.e-bodies.org/vin-fender-tag-build-sheet-and-date-codes/13/the-m46-list/16415/

[427_racer]

There are cuda's out there that had the 318.  Not many but a few.
Mostly bh barracuda's and bp gran coupe had them.

Not a performance motor by any means. 
They can be made to be pretty fast.
Just depends on what you are after.

Everyone in the hobby wants the cuda with the hi po motor. 
Very few want the lower horse motors. 
That is a sign of the times.  Back in the day, although I was not there and rely on old guys stories, standard cars had standard motors.  Didn't have more than 2700 aar's and even less t/a's.  Hemi was considered a gas guzzler and not as easy to tune as the 440. 
  When you come across 1970 bh barracuda's in your search, please share the info as two or three of us specifically look for BH barracuda's. 
Personally I have been looking for a BOB car.  The 198 slant 6

This is what I look for.  https://forum.e-bodies.org/cars-for-sale-or-wanted/8/wanted-1970-barracuda-with-m46-option/551/
and
https://forum.e-bodies.org/vin-fender-tag-build-sheet-and-date-codes/13/the-m46-list/16415/

There are a number of Facebook groups I follow and I feel like BH barracudas pop up with some frequency.

- 1970-1974 Challenger and Cuda
- Classic Mopars for Sale
- 1971 971 Cuda only BUY/SELL/TRADE
- Barracuda for sale 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974

[cuda hunter]

I think I'm on those as well. 
One maybe not, I'll look.
Thanks for listing.

Gotta look everywhere.

BH barracudas do come up with some frequency as they were more common. 

[cuda hunter]

production numbers

318 Auto   19038   13052   863   4742   381   

318 numbers are a FAR cry from all the other models/options. 

[427_racer]

production numbers

318 Auto    19038    13052    863    4742    381   

318 numbers are a FAR cry from all the other models/options.

I would be happy with a BH 318 car converted in a Cuda tribute. Helps keep the cost of entry lower.

[JH27N0B]

A 318 car dressed up with performance hood, wheels and decals and such might be a good way to get your feet wet.  Getting a car and then driving it and taking it to shows gives you experience in figuring out what you really enjoy in a car. Sometimes what you read or dream about is disappointing when you actually get what you've dreamed of.
My first E body was a Challenger T/A, which was much like a high school cheerleader in my niave teenage mind. I live in the snow belt and soon realized it was impractical for a daily driver.  The manual steering was a bear, and if it was warm out it was an oven in the car when driving. High maintenance, much like a cheerleader girlfriend usually ends up being! My second E body was a '71 cuda 340, AC, tinted windows, power steering and automatic which I drove pretty much daily for a while enjoying every minute.
I never was too interested in convertibles in my youth, but in my early 30s pondered what kind of E body I'd really like driving a lot during the fair weather months.  I wasn't too excited about getting another AC car, but my experience with E bodies was clear the ventilation leaves a lot to be desired, so what to do about that? Hmmm, how about a convertible? Plenty of ventilation with the top down!  I eventually found a convertible which I've now owned over 25 years and love driving more than any of my other vintage rides.
It took time and experience for me to dial in exactly what I enjoy most in vintage cars.  So I'd suggest finding something, get involved in what you enjoy be it weekend drives or hanging out at local cruises or whatever, then move on to another car as you hone in on what features and options you like most and which features you don't like.
Being in Texas, I'd say AC is almost going to be a must for you!

[427_racer]

A 318 car dressed up with performance hood, wheels and decals and such might be a good way to get your feet wet.  Getting a car and then driving it and taking it to shows gives you experience in figuring out what you really enjoy in a car. Sometimes what you read or dream about is disappointing when you actually get what you've dreamed of.
My first E body was a Challenger T/A, which was much like a high school cheerleader in my niave teenage mind. I live in the snow belt and soon realized it was impractical for a daily driver.  The manual steering was a bear, and if it was warm out it was an oven in the car when driving. High maintenance, much like a cheerleader girlfriend usually ends up being! My second E body was a '71 cuda 340, AC, tinted windows, power steering and automatic which I drove pretty much daily for a while enjoying every minute.
I never was too interested in convertibles in my youth, but in my early 30s pondered what kind of E body I'd really like driving a lot during the fair weather months.  I wasn't too excited about getting another AC car, but my experience with E bodies was clear the ventilation leaves a lot to be desired, so what to do about that? Hmmm, how about a convertible? Plenty of ventilation with the top down!  I eventually found a convertible which I've now owned over 25 years and love driving more than any of my other vintage rides.
It took time and experience for me to dial in exactly what I enjoy most in vintage cars.  So I'd suggest finding something, get involved in what you enjoy be it weekend drives or hanging out at local cruises or whatever, then move on to another car as you hone in on what features and options you like most and which features you don't like.
Being in Texas, I'd say AC is almost going to be a must for you!

That's great feedback, much appreciated. Either A/C or only early morning drives from June - October!

[JH27N0B]

I'm from the Chicago area, and a while back a local friend of mine moved to Houston.  One time when he was here visiting I asked how he endured summer down there with the heat and humidity. 
He said it was similar to Chicago, except instead of being stuck inside for 3 months in winter with the heat cranked up, in Houston you are stuck inside for 3 months with the AC cranked up in summer!

[427_racer]

I'm from the Chicago area, and a while back a local friend of mine moved to Houston.  One time when he was here visiting I asked how he endured summer down there with the heat and humidity. 
He said it was similar to Chicago, except instead of being stuck inside for 3 months in winter with the heat cranked up, in Houston you are stuck inside for 3 months with the AC cranked up in summer!

Coldest I've ever been was waiting for a car outside of O'Hare in January. I was young and stupid and didn't bring the proper winter gear.