I bought a cuda awhile back. Bought it as a 70. Has correct tail lights marker lights etc. But serial number comes up as a 74. Now I know this car was built from pieces. As I'm tearing it down I notice different things that confirm it's a 70. I think !!! First of all no sway bars. I was under the assumptions all 74 had a sway bar. K member coin comes up as a 70. What are some other little features that would help me to know forsure it's a 70. Like I said maybe someone build a 70 around a 74 frame. Thanks guys.
First thing to do is check to see if the numbers stamped into the body match the dash vin tag number, that will tell you if the body is a `74. If you don`t know where they are - https://www.e-bodies.org/buying-your-first-e-body/vin-numbers/
I think it's pretty obvious if the VIN number on the dash and on your title says it's a 1974, then it's a 1974 that someone change the grill/tail lights and markers on...pretty common.
If the trunk floor wasn't replaced the shock access hole is on the top for 70. Other years are on the front side.
Pretty much what Torred said. VIN number. It's on the dash, rad cradle, cowl, rear deck. Take a look.
Quote from: anlauto on June 22, 2021, 02:08:01 PM
I think it's pretty obvious if the VIN number on the dash and on your title says it's a 1974, then it's a 1974 that someone change the grill/tail lights and markers on...pretty common.
Dash vin tag might have been swapped onto a `70 body, checking body numbers will tell.
Quote from: torredcuda on June 22, 2021, 02:46:54 PM
Quote from: anlauto on June 22, 2021, 02:08:01 PM
I think it's pretty obvious if the VIN number on the dash and on your title says it's a 1974, then it's a 1974 that someone change the grill/tail lights and markers on...pretty common.
Dash vin tag might have been swapped onto a `70 body, checking body numbers will tell.
You're right, a lot of things can happen in 50 years I guess.
There are dozens of changes in the sheet metal when comparing a 1970 to a 1974. The floors are different, the frame rails are different, etc...etc...
Check the E Brake cable location, two on DS 70 vs one on each side 74, Number of bumper bracket mounting holes in the front frame rails, 2 on 70, 3 on 74.... distance between transmission mount bolt holes wide 70 narrow 74...
The list goes on and on...
Post pictures of the underside...we can tell you pretty quick...
Oh wow this is fantastic guys. I do know there are 2 bolts on bumper bracket frame. Not sure about the emergency brake cables as there are not any. Yes I will take some pictures and post as soon as I get back in shop. Thanks so much
Quote from: dodj on June 22, 2021, 02:40:15 PM
Pretty much what Torred said. VIN number. It's on the dash, rad cradle, cowl, rear deck. Take a look.
Where on the rear deck is the VIN number??
Quote from: formula_s on June 22, 2021, 03:38:14 PM
Quote from: dodj on June 22, 2021, 02:40:15 PM
Pretty much what Torred said. VIN number. It's on the dash, rad cradle, cowl, rear deck. Take a look.
Where on the rear deck is the VIN number??
There is no partial VIN on the rear of an E Body. :alan2cents:
Like Alan said, post pictures of the bottom of the car..
Unfortunately in this hobby some people think they can simply "rebody" a 1970 or 71 by using a newer 73-74 shell....Just cut out and weld in the partial VIN from the cowl and rad support....It's not that EASY....As I said there are dozens of major "easy to spot" differences that get over looked when doing a rebody :foul:
Here's a quick example of one of the differences in front frame rails....I was actually surprised to find both styles are reproduced.. :bigthumb:
From the front of the car, the first two holes are in the same location making it able to put 70-72 brackets on a 73-74....just look for the third unused threaded hole if your 73-74 frame rail has 70-72 brackets. :twothumbsup:
Here is the best picture I have on file. Looks like 2 holes to me.
I agree it looks like a 70-72 rail, that's a good sign, and it looks like a possible 1970 only inner apron on the passenger side too :bigthumb:
So expand on why your "serial number comes up as a 74" ? :huh:
Why serial number is a 74 I'm an not sure. Anything could of happened over the last 50 years. Maybe it was a write off. Maybe it was a desired car and someone sold serial number. Maybe it was stolen. Who knows. I do know the number is clean and clear and I'm happy with that.
What are the first seven digits of the VIN?
Quote from: northerncuda2021 on June 22, 2021, 06:09:58 PM
Why serial number is a 74 I'm an not sure. Anything could of happened over the last 50 years. Maybe it was a write off. Maybe it was a desired car and someone sold serial number. Maybe it was stolen. Who knows. I do know the number is clean and clear and I'm happy with that.
The number is clean and clear, it's just on a stolen car, that's all :haha: :haha: :haha: Just Kidding.....it is odd though.. :yes:
Most likely a vin swap but anyones guess as to why at this point, might be an issue if ever trying to sell it though.
Quote from: anlauto on June 22, 2021, 04:09:47 PM
Quote from: formula_s on June 22, 2021, 03:38:14 PM
Quote from: dodj on June 22, 2021, 02:40:15 PM
Pretty much what Torred said. VIN number. It's on the dash, rad cradle, cowl, rear deck. Take a look.
Where on the rear deck is the VIN number??
There is no partial VIN on the rear of an E Body. :alan2cents:
Between the speakers..no?
Quote from: dodj on June 23, 2021, 04:38:24 AM
Quote from: anlauto on June 22, 2021, 04:09:47 PM
Quote from: formula_s on June 22, 2021, 03:38:14 PM
Quote from: dodj on June 22, 2021, 02:40:15 PM
Pretty much what Torred said. VIN number. It's on the dash, rad cradle, cowl, rear deck. Take a look.
Where on the rear deck is the VIN number??
There is no partial VIN on the rear of an E Body. :alan2cents:
Between the speakers..no?
That's an A Body thing...not E Body :alan2cents:
Oh well...just a few letters off... ::)
Coulda sworn I found some kind of number on my pkg shelf...but that was 30 years ago....
Thanks guys. I will leave it at that and enjoy my ride. I know it's a mismatched pieced together car. I'm thinking they built one good car out of 2 or 3 other cars. I'll drive and enjoy Thanks again. I'll be back for some more knowledge from all you experts.
Cheers.
This is exactly my car. 25 years ago I bought two parts cars from this kid that needed to get rid of them as he was moving down south. A 1970 383 Gran Coupe and a 1974 318 Barracuda. The 1974 was in much better condition but was missing the whole interior including the dash and VIN plate. I took the whole interior, engine, left front fender, grill, header panel, tail panel and replaced the rear quarters with 70 style. The car is registered as a 1970 because that's the only VIN I had. Since then the car has been pretty much turned into a restomod but looks as the 70 Gran Coupe. I don't try to fool anyone. When I'm asked if it's all original I say all the parts originally came off some car, lol
Anyway a quick and easy way to tell is look at the trunk spring rods. A 1970 has two rods and a 1974 has only one. You can't easily add the second rod because the holes to except it aren't punched into the bracket so most people just leave it with one rod.
Title vin, dash vin, partial vins on radiator support and cowl. Do these all match and do they say 70 or 74? This is the combination of things that a state government will use to determine the year of your vehicle for registration purposes.
As an enthusiast, there could be additional factors that add or subtract from the value based on the year of manufactur, but state licensing agencies couldn't give a flying flip about these.
Quote from: Joegrapes on June 23, 2021, 05:26:45 AM
This is exactly my car. 25 years ago I bought two parts cars from this kid that needed to get rid of them as he was moving down south. A 1970 383 Gran Coupe and a 1974 318 Barracuda. The 1974 was in much better condition but was missing the whole interior including the dash and VIN plate. I took the whole interior, engine, left front fender, grill, header panel, tail panel and replaced the rear quarters with 70 style. The car is registered as a 1970 because that's the only VIN I had. Since then the car has been pretty much turned into a restomod but looks as the 70 Gran Coupe. I don't try to fool anyone. When I'm asked if it's all original I say all the parts originally came off some car, lol
This type of stuff happened A LOT back in the 80's 90's.....I'm guilty of it...I had a 73 as a driver, it rotted so much the front frame rail actually broke in half while driving it one day...we all just laughed, I later found another 73/74, I swapped a lot of parts over including the complete dash...At the time it was easier then having to register the new car, pay taxes, have a safety inspection etc... etc...When I sold the car, I sold it as "not numbers matching" :haha: :haha:
Yes, at the time I was just looking to replace a 1970 Roadrunner I had back in 1972 and came across these two cars cheap. All I wanted to do was just build a car to have fun with. Not thinking of any resale or collector car considerations. Also back then you could pick up any 72-74 E Body cheap. Everyone wanted a 70-71 car. And since the 70 was a big block car and had the VIN plate that's the way I went. Now any year E Body is desirable. To me it's not an investment. It's just a cool looking car to have fun with and brings back memories of growing up during the muscle car days.
Quote from: anlauto on June 23, 2021, 06:18:35 AM
Quote from: Joegrapes on June 23, 2021, 05:26:45 AM
This is exactly my car. 25 years ago I bought two parts cars from this kid that needed to get rid of them as he was moving down south. A 1970 383 Gran Coupe and a 1974 318 Barracuda. The 1974 was in much better condition but was missing the whole interior including the dash and VIN plate. I took the whole interior, engine, left front fender, grill, header panel, tail panel and replaced the rear quarters with 70 style. The car is registered as a 1970 because that's the only VIN I had. Since then the car has been pretty much turned into a restomod but looks as the 70 Gran Coupe. I don't try to fool anyone. When I'm asked if it's all original I say all the parts originally came off some car, lol
This type of stuff happened A LOT back in the 80's 90's.....I'm guilty of it...I had a 73 as a driver, it rotted so much the front frame rail actually broke in half while driving it one day...we all just laughed, I later found another 73/74, I swapped a lot of parts over including the complete dash...At the time it was easier then having to register the new car, pay taxes, have a safety inspection etc... etc...When I sold the car, I sold it as "not numbers matching" :haha: :haha:
Ya, there's more R/T parts on my car than some restored R/T's out there. lol
Yup numbers matching isn't important for me. I just want to cruise and do what I want to the car knowing I won't decrease it's value if I wreck something that was original. Thsnks fellow members.
Quote from: anlauto on June 22, 2021, 04:09:47 PM
Quote from: formula_s on June 22, 2021, 03:38:14 PM
Quote from: dodj on June 22, 2021, 02:40:15 PM
Pretty much what Torred said. VIN number. It's on the dash, rad cradle, cowl, rear deck. Take a look.
Where on the rear deck is the VIN number??
There is no partial VIN on the rear of an E Body. :alan2cents:
I knew that. When I hear all these mopar know it all guys tell me about the ViN on the back of an E body I ask where ?? :notsure:
Quote from: dodj on June 23, 2021, 04:53:15 AM
Oh well...just a few letters off... ::)
Coulda sworn I found some kind of number on my pkg shelf...but that was 30 years ago....
There are lot numbers stamped on all the body panels, so that's probably what you remember seeing.
This is one of those things that you should probably get to the bottom of.
I would certainly want to know. The picture of the frame rail posted on page one did nothing to convince me otherwise as it was missing the most critical section of analysis at the very front.
As I said before, title vin, dash vin, partial vins on radiator support and cowl. Do these all match and do they say 70 or 74 or are they mixed? Title and dash vin match but nothing else does, its the classic redashing as explained by others. If they all match, then it sounds like you have a '74. If none of them match, then you have a Frankenstein.