71 B5 Cuda 340 4 speed

[anlauto]

Are you doing the grill blue this time as it should be ?

[Cuda Cody]

Love the photos and that venting idea.  I'm going to borrow that idea as I'm tired of getting a ton of paint in my eyes and trying to paint with a flashlight just to see through the fog. 

[Shane Kelley]

Are you doing the grill blue this time as it should be ?

I have new reproduction grill that has already been done in Argent. My plan was to run it until I can get my original one all repaired and painted. I can see endless hours on the grill restoration. I actually thought this car came with a Argent grill. Not that it mattered to me.  What do you know that leads you to believe it came body color?

[Shane Kelley]

Love the photos and that venting idea.  I'm going to borrow that idea as I'm tired of getting a ton of paint in my eyes and trying to paint with a flashlight just to see through the fog.

It works great. If you don't have a booth just hook it up to a squirrel cage fan. Visibility was perfect. No fog or dry paint to contend with. 12" flex duct.

[Shane Kelley]

more progress pics. Notice how I jammed in the cowl panel. Those are impossible to make slick while painting the outer cowl area. I always hate when those look dry and and nasty. Same for deck lid inner structure.

[anlauto]

Are you doing the grill blue this time as it should be ?

I have new reproduction grill that has already been done in Argent. My plan was to run it until I can get my original one all repaired and painted. I can see endless hours on the grill restoration. I actually thought this car came with a Argent grill. Not that it mattered to me.  What do you know that leads you to believe it came body color?

ALL 1971 Cuda's that left the factory wearing B5 blue paint were SUPPOSED to get a colour-keyed cuda as a standard part of the "BS" Cuda package. 
However due to a shortage of painted grills at the factory, there is a period of time when they received argent grills to get them "out the door". Member @mccannix might have a better indication of the time frame of the shortage. 


I think the grill should be blue regardless of the build date. Argent looks odd with the coloured-keyed bumper.

[Shane Kelley]

Are you doing the grill blue this time as it should be ?

I have new reproduction grill that has already been done in Argent. My plan was to run it until I can get my original one all repaired and painted. I can see endless hours on the grill restoration. I actually thought this car came with a Argent grill. Not that it mattered to me.  What do you know that leads you to believe it came body color?

ALL 1971 Cuda's that left the factory wearing B5 blue paint were SUPPOSED to get a colour-keyed cuda as a standard part of the "BS" Cuda package. 
However due to a shortage of painted grills at the factory, there is a period of time when they received argent grills to get them "out the door". Member @mccannix might have a better indication of the time frame of the shortage. 


I think the grill should be blue regardless of the build date. Argent looks odd with the coloured-keyed bumper.

It was probably blue then. It's a very early build. Oct of 1970. Should of had plenty of stock at that build date I would think. 

[mccannix]

January 1971 was when the tractor trailer carrying close to 200 colored grills was in the accident resulting in argent grill replacement in some 71 Cudas..
You'll have to buy Ola's '1971 Plymouth Cuda' book to get the 'rest of the story'.
I'm sure there were other contributing factors in the build of any of these cars during any period that could result in shortage/replacement issues.

[76orangewagon]

Awesome work, I hope when I restore mine this fall, it turns out as nice.

[Husk Challenger]

Great job for a great car!!

I love it!!

[Shane Kelley]

More progress pics

[Shane Kelley]

more pics of paint process

[Shane Kelley]

More paint pics

[Shane Kelley]

Color sand and buff

[anlauto]

Do you do all your own body and paint work ? If so.... WOW