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Thanks E-Bodies.org for making my dream car possible!!!

Started by nsmall, April 08, 2018, 12:35:30 AM

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nsmall

I  JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO YOU ALL AND LET YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU AND THIS SITE.  You have helped me finish my dream car.

It was a bit of a challenge as I don't know much about cars, I have a 1 and 2 year old, a 7 year old with Autism, and my work load increased by 40% this year.  Long story short, I have averaged 2 less hours of sleep per night this past year.  I was able to completely restore this car in 11 months.

I really debated keeping the car stock, but its not a numbers matching block, I knew it was going to cost a small fortune to finish, so I designed it based on what I thought I would enjoy.

I actually love round tail lights and the front grill of a 72-74 Cuda, I like 340's, I added a few liberties and don't claim its perfect, its simply a very nice driver that I hope I can enjoy for many years to come.

First off

@Cuda Cody   Thanks for always being there for me and letting me know before I dove into this project what it was going to cost me.  You gave and always give me awesome advice!   Obviously thanks for making and maintaining such an amazing site.  And thanks @J-Code Jeni  for sharing your man with us.

@Burdar Thanks for always giving me such DETAILED information.  You would make a great shop teacher.

@anlauto Thanks for convincing me to media blast the car and always chiming in when I needed help and of course, thanks for always keeping it real.

@Chryco Psycho   Thanks for telling me about e-bodies.org, always giving me great and detailed advice.

@303 Mopar   Thanks for personally reaching out to me and helping me finish this car.

@MoparDave   You are a smart man and have been real patient and generous with me.  Thanks for being the best parts man ever! 

Secondly, the following people were always there for me and real helpful since the very beginning.

Travis Higgins, Tom Walker
@Cudalbs
@Brads70
@RUNCHARGER
@Shane Kelley
@72bluNblu

Lastly, you were there for me too and I really appreciate you.
@GoodysGotaCuda
@Wild R/T
@Spikedog08
@Roadman   get better soon buddy
@HP_Cuda 
@soundcontrol
@Topcat
@ToxicWolf 
@usraptor
@76orangewagon
@screamindriver
@IMNCARN82

Im sure I forgot someone, but I tried to remember you all by going through the members list.

Some of you may cringe at what I did, but its oaky, its my car and its the first car I ever restored so give me a break.

Here are some pics from start to finish.  I didn't have time to detail it, but here are some pics from the last few days.  And Runcharger, for the record I drove it 30 miles within the first 24 hours of getting it out of my garage.  So yes, it will be driven.

I have a lot more to say, but if you ever see me driving by my face will say it all as I have a smile from ear to ear.

Again, thank you all so much as this WAS SO MUCH EASIER WITH YOU HAVING MY BACK EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!!!




nsmall

First day buying the car...

Last pic is my cross country team signing the car as I stripped it to be media blasted.  They won the California High School Cross Country State Championship in 2016.

nsmall

Thanks for convincing me to media blast it Alan and company.  This was one of my wiser decisions.


nsmall

100's and 100's of hours in my garage.  Typically at night with my headlight on. 

nsmall

more random pics...

nsmall

and more...

nsmall

Fast forwarding months of my body guy doing metal work and block sanding, here is my 73 Cuda with paint.  The paint color is 2011 Toxic Orange, a mopar color of course.  Its a color my wife and I really like.

Here are some "assembly pics" too...


nsmall

I attempted an "Alan" photo.

Thank you all again!!!!

Here it is folks...

nsmall

I never take selfies, but I couldn't resist, this one was taken before my first drive around the neighborhood. 

Second photo was the first date with my wife, we went to the bank and thankfully there is still a little money left.    :wave:

nsmall

Depending on the light, this color changes dramatically.  Here are some random pics that show some contrast.

nsmall

Here are some engine bay pics.  I dont have a heater and dont want to talk about it (long story).   Thankfully I live in a desert so its something I never use.

I'm happy with the decision to move the battery to the trunk.

I need to change or do something different with the carb and add some timing as the engine runs great, but I know its under performing. 

Headers and 2.5 inch exhaust helped my modified 340, but I am not sure they were worth the money as it cost me a lot to make that change.


nsmall

I would describe my interior as very amateur, but it works for me.

nsmall

UR dash pad

Redline gauges restored my gauges, but they only added color to my tach so the rest of the faces were just cleaned.

My car is an actual Cuda, not sure if all Cuda's came with rallye gauges, but I love the look of them.

I used SEM products for all of the interior pieces.


nsmall

My painter used a tinted undercoating as I plan to drive my car a lot.  I have a rebuilt 727 and rebuilt 355 sure grip.

I tried to have the drive train built around the idea I will have a 340 or 360 stroker one day.

nsmall

Lastly, here are some pics of my family.  Lord willing we will adopt the two little ones this year.  The little ones are foster kids so this is best I can do for pics and not get in trouble for violating laws.  I have raised them since they were born and out of my three kids, my daughter was the one most interested in helping me restore this car.

True story...So my wife and I were on our first date in the car and someone across the street was honking at us.  I said "those guys must like my car, do you hear them honking."  She said "I cant hear anything." :rofl:  I guess I should picked different mufflers.  I'll blame Shane Kelly for that issue.