First Cuda (BS23) off the line for 1971 model year ?

[71REDCUDA]

This is a really special one.. pre-production and the first Cuda (BS23) known to have been built for 1971..seems like most have missed that detail.

https://vmp.ebay.com/ebay/viewAllPhotos.aspx?smid=38578536&fbclid=IwAR2BFBFVJFKqRirLkWvykSlu9DmI9QuVX90WU7JoDWNbbi6xg-PKgpk0n-w

[autoxcuda]

That car should stand on it own.

It's a neat piece of trivia that it has a low production VIN number.

Build order is tough to determine. So there would need to have a bunch of facts displayed to prove or theorize on that.

Was it used in the parts catalog?

[anlauto]

Interesting that it has a correct 71-74 console and side mirrors and not 1970 parts like a lot of early cars had

[71REDCUDA]

Im pretty sure it came with that .. but when restored things change. Its the earliest Cuda in my registry. The green 71 Hemicuda

-BS23R1B100378--FJ6-D32-CAR000143-M02108 has a later CAR nr.. dont be confused with the VIN-nr.. between these cars is another red 340 Cuda with shaker -- 100369 which should have CAR nr M02107..


BH23C1B100121--GW3-D13-CAR000114 Was used in the parts catalog

[6bblgt]

the subject car was in a magazine or two 15-18 years ago - had "PILOT" license plates from somewhere in the Midwest: IL, IN, WI ?? - anyone remember the magazine?

[chris NOS]

in text vin is : BS23HIB100126 

[Skdmark]

Besides the console being a later version, the trunk pan appears to be a later version too. Shock mount access holes are on the side vs the top.


Any idea on the V26 on the fender tag?
That one is not on any lists I have.

[71REDCUDA]

V26 was removed after the "CAR" cars. dont know what stripe or similar it was.

[Skdmark]

I looked in the assembly drawing book from Faxon and didn't see anything in there either.
They have drawings for a couple of cancelled stripe options in the books.

[Ebody Edgar]

best guess is this is a 1971 pilot car
there are no pilot cars identified as "pilot cars" in 1971 like they did in 1970.
If you can show me a "1971 pilot car" other than one like this please do as we in the collective have never seen one
VINs were assigned so VIN # does not mean first built just first "assigned" VIN

[Skdmark]

I've come across on an Australian Charger site, of all things, that V26 is for touch up paint.
Maybe put a touch up  paint canister in the trunk or glove box. 

[6bblgt]

it is a "pilot" car (PRE-PRODUCTION) & it was not built on the HAMTRAMCK assembly line
1970's "JOB NUMBER XXX" is the equivalent to 1971's "CAR 000XXX"

V26 was an early code for BILLBOARDS

some odd timing must've happened for the 1971 VIN assignments - the dealer show "PROMO" cars received VINs starting with 1B100001 & the "PILOT" car's VINs are almost random

[Skdmark]

V26 was an early code for BILLBOARDS

If V26 was an early code for Billboards, then they would only be available in one color (most likely black) as there is no color variable in the 3rd character position. Similar to the V21 hood treatment and unlike V6X and V6W stripe codes. We also know that white billboards were available . So checking the assembly drawings for billboards, it looks like there was a revision B made in July of 70 with a reference to adding white billboard numbers and $V60 fo the drawing. Given the July of 70 revision being so close to when the  "CAR" were being put together, your theory seems plausible. I wonder what the part numbers are on the rear marker lights...

[Ebody Edgar]

thank you for the clarification on 70vs71 pilot cars
Where were the pilot cars built?
All years or just 1971?
What's with the "CAR" designation on the tag - does it mean something?