1971 Cuda 440

[Matt13]

So, hopefully you guys can help me kick myself in the head. It's 1994, and I just got back home from being stationed in California for the last 4 years. I have Navy money burning a hole in my pocket and I'm searching the Classic Autotrader. Come across a 1971 'Cuda with a rebuilt 440, new brakes, new rubber, all in primer. Pick it up for $6,500. My high school friend Jeff's family owns a body shop, so Jeff paints it In-Violet/Plum Crazy Purple for me (originally a B5 Blue car), but it was in primer, and I wanted a Purple Cuda. Everything works. Car is rust free. So much fun. Couple of years pass and I sell it to get a '66 Mustang Fastback.
  Question is, what would it be worth today? 

[Bpret]

A lot more than a 66 mustang

[ec_co]

3x what the FB is worth today, minimum. but I will say, next to an E or B body, a FB Mustang is high on my list of wants.

[Matt M]

What was the original engine or was it a 440 6 Barrel?

[Matt13]

What was the original engine or was it a 440 6 Barrel?

383 originally but it was a 1971 440 block used and rebuilt.

[JS29]

Four speed or auto? rallye or standard cluster? I like the 67-68 fast back better than a 66. 

[Katfish]

How about some pics of the Mustang for comparison.
Real question is which car did you enjoy more?

[Matt13]

Four speed or auto? rallye or standard cluster? I like the 67-68 fast back better than a 66. 

The mustang was a 4spd, the Cuda an auto. I can't remember if the Cuda had a Rallye cluster. I was a Ford guy; restored a 1965 Mustang I purchased while I was in the Navy and I was just much more comfortable with what I knew. Knowing what I know now, I would have put that  Cuda in storage and just kept my 1968 Buick Special for getting around (it's in the background of one of the Cuda pics.)

[Matt13]

How about some pics of the Mustang for comparison.
Real question is which car did you enjoy more?

Well, I liked them both but my dream car at the time was a 65-66 Shelby GT 350. I put a ton of money into the 66 fastback making it into a Shelby clone. It was so nice when I was done, I was afraid to drive it anywhere! I ended up selling it on consignment through a classic car dealer and made about $9000 profit. A guy from Australia bought it.

[anlauto]

  Question is, what would it be worth today? 

Maybe around $40K

[Matt13]

  Question is, what would it be worth today? 

Maybe around $40K

Ok. I don't feel too bad with that estimate.

[70 Challenger Lover]

Do yourself a favor and don't dwell on it. We all have those woulda/shoulda/coulda stories and thinking on them just makes you feel remorse or regret. Can't change it anyway.

What you can do though is go find a nice finished one and finance it. Yeah it sucks having the payment but there's lots of great memories waiting to be made. None of us are getting any younger. I don't want to turn 80 someday looking back wishing I bought/built some of my dream cars.

[Matt13]

Well, I have my '73 I'm working on now. It's not anything near the '71, but at least it's kept me busy during this lockdown!

[70 Challenger Lover]

All the e body cars are awesome in my view. I like the later years, except for the safety bumpers of course. No one likes those.

[Matt13]

All the e body cars are awesome in my view. I like the later years, except for the safety bumpers of course. No one likes those.

Luckily the last owner used a 1970 front bumper on this '73. Now I just have to replace that rear one or take off the safety bumpers.