The red on red 1970 Cuda project

[Wayne]

I finally did get the front belts from Bill so I was able to get working front and rear belts in tne car! 

While I was putting them in I decided to put in new carpet, door sill plates and new shifter boot and trim ring. What a huge difference   

Then I loaded up the family and went to the cider mill for ice cream. First time all 3 of us got to go in the car.  Good times.

A new video installing the carpet & belts.

[usraptor]

Interior works really nice.  Great job! 

[Bad Bird]

I don't even yet own an E-body of my own (hopefully that changes next year!), but I have read through every post and watched every video with great enthusiasm. Your passion really shines through!

This build thread has been really inspirational and your 'Cuda is really beautiful. The red-on-red is stunning - I don't think we'll ever see such loud color schemes in new cars ever again.

I did have a question, if that's cool with you. How do you find driving a 4-speed with the Gear Vendors overdrive? I've only really seen them coupled with automatic transmissions, and I was hoping to find out what it's like with a stick. Is it really possible to use it so that you shift: First; First Over; Second Over; Third Over; Fourth Over, thus getting a clutchless shift between your biggest gear drop?

Thanks!
-Matt B.

[Wayne]

I don't even yet own an E-body of my own (hopefully that changes next year!), but I have read through every post and watched every video with great enthusiasm. Your passion really shines through!

This build thread has been really inspirational and your 'Cuda is really beautiful. The red-on-red is stunning - I don't think we'll ever see such loud color schemes in new cars ever again.

I did have a question, if that's cool with you. How do you find driving a 4-speed with the Gear Vendors overdrive? I've only really seen them coupled with automatic transmissions, and I was hoping to find out what it's like with a stick. Is it really possible to use it so that you shift: First; First Over; Second Over; Third Over; Fourth Over, thus getting a clutchless shift between your biggest gear drop?

Thanks!
-Matt B.

Thanks Matt I really appreciate it.  Its funny, the red interior really drew me to this car. I love the bright interiors on old mopars like red and blue.  Its just everything good about the 70's. 

In regards to the GV unit.  I never use it in 1-3 gears.  In my opinion there really is no reason too.  I mainly use it when I want O.D.  so fourth gear only.  For me with a 3.73 that's usually over 50-55mph. When in traffic and im using it I will keep it engaged if I  slow down a little and downshift to 3rd or second and just work my way up to cruising in 4th with iton.  Mine is controlled manually with a button on the shifter which I find is perfect for a manual trans.  I plan to do a video showing using it in detail while driving with it. 

[Bad Bird]

Thanks Matt I really appreciate it.

No, thank you for such an interesting thread - you have yourself a new YouTube subscriber!

Mine is controlled manually with a button on the shifter which I find is perfect for a manual trans.  I plan to do a video showing using it in detail while driving with it.

I'm looking forward to seeing it in action. There aren't too many videos showing how Gear Vendors behave when attached to a manual trans.

[ledphoot]

What an amazing find. I was looking at a Red on Red Cuda at a show last year, my buddy Craig didn't like it, he hates red interior, I was like Nah, that's HOT! I love it.  He's a Chevy guy, so you know he has bad taste

Thanks for sharing this awesome ride.

[Wayne]

I ended up spending a lot of time this year dialing the car in and sorting little things out.  The last couple months I was able to put in some quality time behind the wheel enjoying her which really was rewarding. 

I decided to make a different video.  Since I enjoy making them.  I want to try and capture what it's like to enjoy driving these old cars and taking them on a good rip.  Went up to the old Sinclair station, and lake on some fun winding roads with my buddy in his 1970 Bette. Then for something different the most holiday lights you will ever see in my little local downtown.

Hope you all enjoy it and have a Merry Christmas!

https://youtu.be/dEROsruaym8

[usraptor]

Great video and exhaust note to your 'Cuda.    Love the Vette also.  Wow! What city/town is that that goes all out with the Christmas lights?  Very festive! 

[cudamadd]

Awesome video great drive with the vette  and all the lights in that town ship very nice . Love the way you started the video and ended it . Nice music choice enjoy it a got cheers 

[Wayne]

Awesome video great drive with the vette  and all the lights in that town ship very nice . Love the way you started the video and ended it . Nice music choice enjoy it a got cheers 

Thank you I appreciate it 

Great video and exhaust note to your 'Cuda.    Love the Vette also.  Wow! What city/town is that that goes all out with the Christmas lights?  Very festive! 

Thank you! That is downtown Rochester Michigan.  Its a great little town really we are just North of it.

[Wayne]

Happy new year!  I hope has a healthy and successful 2022 and is able to get out and enjoy these old Mopars!

I have kept in touch with the guy who found my car and bought it dug it out of decades of storage.  He has followed along the journey the car has been on since I bought it with lots of support.  Well the other day he shared he wanted to send me a kool little piece of the cars history.  He said it should stay with the car and I should have it.  A few days ago the package arrived from Florida.... It was the plate that was on the car when he pulled it out of storage.  He was going to keep it but really was enjoying what I have been doing with the car and said it should stay with the car!   
  Man, I now it's a small thing to most but I was happier than a kid on Christmas.  I love the stories that go along with many of these old cars.  There history... just so kool. 

  For those that are new to this project the car was parked in 75/76 and sat there for decades   I made a short video discussing some of the cars history for those interested.   But here a couple pictures of the plate and inspection sticker on the windshield

Let me know if you guys have any creative ideas of what to do with the plate. 

[cudamadd]

That's very nice of the previous owner to send you that plate . I to love the history of these old cars and still have the factory booklet .and the original red bottle now empty for the spare saver wheel. These cars will never be made again ,so any little piece of history from old parts to posters go on my wall . Your car packed in 75/76 is a great story with in its self .

[Wayne]

Has anyone found a difference in the repop sunvisors?  I have a driver side one on the car and its marginal and a passenger one that is toast which also has a bad rod.  I just posted in the parts wanted area....doubt anyone has a decent set OG red ones but figured I would ask there as well.

I see vans auto has a set for $95 and legendary has a set for $160  haven't checked to see if they are actually in stock. 

[Wayne]

After much searching and help from one very kind individual (I love this community) I was able to find a near mint set of red sun-visors.  Cleaned them and the rods up and bought some reproduction little pieces to finish them off and got them in the car.  Just trying to stay busy with the little projects right now during winter while its freezing here in Michigan.

Really felt like I struck gold on this find 

[Wayne]

One more of those little projects nocked out this winter.  I had bought the glove box liner last summer but never got to it.  Seemed like to many "fun" things to do at the time that took priority!

Picked it up from Muscle Car Technologies. The car was missing it...was surprised the material it was actually made from.