I have the urge to go old school with the cuda, should I?

[torredcuda]

My Barracuda is currently apart for a new clutch and 4 spd rebuild and I keep thinking about changing the look and going old school with it. I`m thinking jacking up the rear with wide Pro Tracs on slots or something, maybe old Pro Stock hood scoop or even a tunnel ram thru the hood, traction bars and other period stuff. Should I do it or do you think I`l get tired of it as it won`t be a real nice cruiser or good handler, not that it is now with 3.91s and loud exhaust so I really wouldn`t be sacrificing much? Thoughts anyone have one built like that?

[torredcuda]

Something like this

[340challconvert]

How's this for old school?
Might give you inspiration!

[dave73]

How will you use it and how long have you wanted to go with this style? I love the old school look

I went to a local show and saw a big block with a tunnel ram and huge velocity stacks and for about a month I wanted to cut a hole in my hood and run the same. I have 2 hoods so was going to modify one and leave the other in case I wanted to go back. Now I think I'm over that...until I see another.

[torredcuda]

How's this for old school?
Might give you inspiration!

Cool but not really old school with those big wheels, 2 tone paint etc.

[torredcuda]

I have done old school with a past project and have wanted to with a couple other ones, my `70 road runner is going mostly stock with a few day 2 add ons, my Duster drag car was going old school Stock look with blue headlights and blue and white panel paint job and maybe even some lace. My Barracuda is my driver but like I said with 3.91`s and Flowmasters it is not a long distance highway car, just local driving, shows, drags so if I go old schoo with it it really wouldn`t affect how I drive it. I also think it might get more attention at cruise nights/ shows done like that, not that I need the attention but I think it would just be a fun car to drive and show.

[Chryco Psycho]

While you cannot beat the old look I doubt you would be happy with it for very long , you want radials at least & with Hotchkiss parts the newer set ups ride & handle great , with newer tech you wouldhave a car you would wnat to drive a lot more

[Shane Kelley]

While you cannot beat the old look I doubt you would be happy with it for very long , you want radials at least & with Hotchkiss parts the newer set ups ride & handle great , with newer tech you wouldhave a car you would wnat to drive a lot more

   But ultimately it's your car and you should build it the way you want. Your not building it for any of us. While I do appreciate the old school look there is just something about modern suspension upgrades that make them a lot more enjoyable to drive. I will say some of those 70's crazy psychedelic paint jobs kick ass.

[HP2]

Kinda depends on how you drive it now and how far into the retro/drag look you go to determine if you could tolerate it longer term.

You ca still step up spring rates, run wide tires front and rear, and lift it some without totally compromising its street manners, but you won't be diving into any corners with Vettes that way, unless you don't do that now, in which case you may not notice the change so much.

[Roadman]

PRO STREET, NOW  DEAD IS MY FAV. Now it's all pro mod. 

[61K T/A]

I'm doing my Cuda old school. My goal is to make it look period corrrect without slicks to go at this time. I kinda took the attitude that I was 18 years old and modifying the car with what was available back in the day to make it handle and perform best (like we did). I cant do any better that that. I see a lot of cars being restored to original but that's no fun!

[RUNCHARGER]

It really depends on how and if you use it. Honestly a lot of the old school stuff really sucked. Jacked up rears made the car handle like crap, Skinny front tires handled bad too. I always liked picking off cars with hood scoops so if you do run a scoop or a tunnel ram through the hood it would be best to be able to back it up.
Here was my ride in 1976, I hunted down every jacked up or tunnel rammed car I could find and let the 440 handle the rest.
I like headers, period correct cast valve covers though.

[torredcuda]

Right now the car is lower than stock with big block suspension, front and rear sway bars and cheapo gas shocks with BFGs and it handles OK. As I said it is not a car I drive for long distances now due to the 3.91`s and Flowmasters. If I want to drive it more/longer distances I would have to change rear gears and add an overdrive gear or 5 spd  and change the exhaust to something quieter. If I ever get my road runner done it will be my cruiser with 3.23s, a torquey 383 and pretty stock suspension so I don`t care if the cuda rides and drives a bit rough as it`s my local, fun beat on street and drag car. Of course the other way to go is a set of 17-18" Minilites and full suspension upgrades with stickier tires and make a killer handling car along the lines of Brad`s Challenger.

[RUNCHARGER]

It doesn't sound so bad right now. I like the minilite idea too though.

[jordan]

I would love to put a set classic Centerline rims on my pro-touring cuda.  If I could only get a set in 18".  It would give it an old school look and keep the modern drivability.  I am not worried about the brakes overheating without any holes in the rims for most of my driving.  A spare set of shoes gets expensive for these cars though.