E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Hi Everyone
Thought I would move this from Newbie to the restorations page. I thought I should introduce me and my car properly  .As I mentioned it's a 1971 Cuda 383 4 speed. My dad bought the car as a wreck for the motor, but he saw the potential in it so started to rebuild it. This was back in the late 1980's. He drove it for a few years then wanted to restore the car in 1993. He only got so far then was diagnosed with leukemia after a snowmobile accident. He did unfortunately lose the battle in Jan 2015. At that time he had willed the car to me as I always had my eye on his car. The car had sat for about 4 years just puttering around little by little. I had the greatest of intentions to work on it but never had the gusto to put much focus on it. Last year my wife was diagnosed with MS. With both my Dad and my wife having life altering conditions I had a realization in my 40's that life is short and should be enjoyed. So with that my passion for the Cuda has been reignited, I want to share the feeling I got with my Dad cruising around in the Cuda as a kid. The power that is not just heard but felt as he shifted through the gears. I want my wife to feel these feelings I had while we still have the time to enjoy them. So here we are building a car that I hope my whole family will enjoy for many years to come.

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Father, :console: I am sure all the fond memory's will live on when you drive his old car. and the new memory's to come. ask questions get answers, this is the way we help each other here. keep focused.                                                                                                                                   Mark.

I  :iagree:

Keep us posted and keep chugging along.  Its going to be a lot of fun once its done.   :bradsthumb:

Sorry about your father and wife's diagnosis.  Keep us posted on your progress. 

Part 3, enjoy for those of you that follow

 :popcorn: Kickin back waiting on more progress! 

So I have a funny feeling that "cuda hunter" is going to be my push to move along  :thankyou:

Now that's a fine ass. Little by little getting more done

Looking good :twothumbsup:

Making small leaps of progress. Stay Safe everyone.

Been a while since i post but here we go. Got some parts in(frame rails) can't wait to get rippin into them. Let the fun and progress begin

Keep posting your videos are truly inspirational for anybody working on these cars at home...you can tell it's being done with passion.....oh....and a lot of welding  :rofl: :clapping:

Looks great! You have made amazing progress.  Keep it up

Sorry guys I haven't been keeping up posting my video progress here. Enjoy

Thanks anlauto the car is a labor of love and passion

Thank you Shoooter, one piece of sheet metal at a time  :)

I just got done watching all of your videos . They are a GREAT ! Keep them coming, I really  enjoy them. Thanks

I've also started watching your videos.  I am also starting see and have those "life is short" moments all around me.   It makes me more inspired to complete my own project as I inch closer to 50.  I turn 47 in January.  As soon as I hit send on this, I'm going to spend a few hours in the shop working on my Cuda. 


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Thanks Swamp Donkey. I'm restoring for my own reasons, I post my videos for people like you. as in turn you inspire me to keep going. enjoy your ride as much i will mine one it's done  *CHEERS*

Hello gaddied, glad you enjoyed them, more to come ;)

 :bradsthumb: :bradsthumb: :bradsthumb:

Little by little, any steps forward is progress  :)

Getting things ready for welding. Looking forward to getting the back end done. 

Aren't the holes you drilled in the new rail for the plug welds pretty small ? I'm no where close to even saying I know how to weld, but it seems to me you could fill those small holes pretty quick without even contact the floor surface ? And if you do contact the floor surface, the contact area would be really small in my opinion, maybe 1/8" ????? :dunno:

Quote from: anlauto on January 30, 2021, 01:24:34 PM
Aren't the holes you drilled in the new rail for the plug welds pretty small ? I'm no where close to even saying I know how to weld, but it seems to me you could fill those small holes pretty quick without even contact the floor surface ? And if you do contact the floor surface, the contact area would be really small in my opinion, maybe 1/8" ????? :dunno:

Mocking the rail and using paint to outline where the rail will be on the floor then marking and drilling the holes in the floor using a larger bit for guaranteed penetration. Drill holes in the thinner metal and weld to the thicker metal. 

Quote from: E74cuda on January 31, 2021, 07:23:08 AM

Quote from: anlauto on January 30, 2021, 01:24:34 PM
Aren't the holes you drilled in the new rail for the plug welds pretty small ? I'm no where close to even saying I know how to weld, but it seems to me you could fill those small holes pretty quick without even contact the floor surface ? And if you do contact the floor surface, the contact area would be really small in my opinion, maybe 1/8" ????? :dunno:

Mocking the rail and using paint to outline where the rail will be on the floor then marking and drilling the holes in the floor using a larger bit for guaranteed penetration. Drill holes in the thinner metal and weld to the thicker metal.

Yes I agree, but he outlined in the video his plan to weld from the bottom up, I just thought larger holes would give you a better welding surface area. :dunno:

Hi autolan and E74cuda. The holes that I had drilled are 11/64 and I'll be welding in with .35 mig wire, if I find that I'm not burning the primer in the trunk pan and getting good penetration then I can always go back and open up the holes. I'd rather start with a smaller hole and fill that rather than a huge hole that I cold burn threw the trunk pan.

Yea, I guess there's only one way to find out  :bigthumb:

Heya autolan, yes you were correct the holes needed to be larger, I'll have that covered in my next video. Thanks for watching  :)

...just think how much easier your "next" car will be  :twothumbsup: :drinkingbud:  keep the videos coming, they're great to watch and very helpful for many others  :worship:

Slowly moving forward. Frame rails getting welded in

Next installment of my progress

These videos are a true inspiration to at home doityourselfers  :twothumbsup:

I'm out in the garage today cutting and welding on my own 71 Cuda too :banana: ....don't usually work weekends.. :rofl:

WOW! Again I am truly amazed, you are building a Cuda at home :) Incredible work and dedication.

Hey anlauto, thanks for watching. wish i had more time during the week. would be much further along

Hi ledphoot, thanks for watching. It's nice to have the room to do this at home. If it were anywhere else I'd wouldn't have a constant reminder to work on it  ;)

mopower  to work from home ,the way you do is inspirational . Your videos are very enjoyable to watch they get  me off my ass every time I watch one . Thank you very much cheers . :australia:

Hi cudamadd, thanks for watching. and comments like yours keep me going. Love sharing my journey

Moving Forward More welding getting done :D

Quietly been watching this build.
Definitely an inspiration for home builders.

Hi YellowThumper, Thanks for watching. Being in a home garage has it's challenges but I'm making due with what I have as I go along. :tool:

Getting further, can't wait to get to the good stuff

New Year, New Video. Happy new Year e-Body fans

Another step forward  :twothumbsup:

Thanks for watching autolan ;). Just checked out your web site, you're not that far from me  :). May need to hit ya up some time for odds and ends that need attention!

I'm sure our paths have crossed before...whereabouts in Ontario are you located ? You're always welcome around here :drinkingbud:

Thanks for the offer, may come around just to see the projects  ;) I'm just outside of Lucan, 15 min north of London

Well, you're not exactly next door...but if you're ever out this way  :drinkingbud:

 :) Finally working on the inside! Plus  peek at Doug's 71 Triple Black 383 Cuda

 :) Getting Some pans fabed and welded in

@mopower (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/mopower_6259) don't leave us hanging....it's been a couple of months since the last video....car must be finished by now ? :D :D  :drinkingbud:

How's it coming along ?