Hey everyone
Sorry for chiming in late. I did not know about this post until Bob recently pm'd me.
Scott, the car John @ US Car Tool was working on was my 1970 Barracuda 383-4v convertible which I sold and he still working on.
Bob's Cuda pictured here was my baby quite a few years back.
I'll give a quick recap of how I came across this car as well as it's rare twin brother.
About 7 years ago, I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. At my new job I made some friends who learned of my passion for Mopars. One of my friends told me about a automotive instructor who had a "lime green Cuda with a 4 spd and shaker hood". Of course we have all heard that before only to find some Camaro with a fiberglass hood scoop
Long story short, it turned out be the lime green Cuda you used on your prior ads as well as Keisler's ads.
Fast forward about a year or so. I come across a person who tells me of "another shaker Cuda on the west side of the island". Where that Cuda was known on the island as "Mopar street" cause the owner there had like 8 or so Mopars parked on the street, mostly B-bodies.
One day I decided to "de-myth" the shaker cuda rumour. I get there, meet the owner and he lets me look the car over. Sure enough, a shaker car. Open the hood and looking at the fender tag I was blown away by what I was looking at. The fender tag was IDENTICAL to my lime green Cuda except for the color and vinyl top
Even the VIN was identical except it was one digit higher than my Cuda
Needless to say, I made a very generous offer for the car and he immediately declined.
I went home that day real sad and wondering how I could reunite both cars.
fast forward some months, I hear about and purchased a nice driver condition number's matching '70 Charger R/T from a neighbor island. I originally purchased it for my dad (who's in NY) but he had later decided to pass on the car. I was going to sell the Charger until a bulb lit in my head
I remembered the owner of the purple Cuda was really a B-body guy. So I decided to offer him a straight-up trade for the Cuda and another '72 Cuda shell he had. The Cuda was finally mine.
OK, now I had the car but I was quickly learning the harsh reality of attempting a restoration of this magnitude in Hawaii. Shipping charges are phenomenal
Lack of a body shop able to take on this task was another dilemma. So I sold the car to a gentleman in Connecticut whom later sold it to Bob and passed my info along to Bob as well.
Bob and I have been in contact over the years
and I was extremely happy it went to a good home. Now Bob has my lime green Cuda as well and is the new care taker of the twins.
Sorry for the long story, it is about as short as I can tell it
Ken, I look forward to meeting you at Carlisle this year, as well as Bob since we have yet to meet as well.
I take it the Cuda is going to make it since I can see you are making some great progress!
Scott, look forward to meeting you as well especially if you are going to be judging. I have to see this car. It will be like reuniting with a long lost child.
Alan, I believe the bracket you are asking about is the bracket installed on the left side for the muffler hanger, correct? I would not know the exact proper finish on that
Well since everyone is asking for some before shots, I'll post some re-united twin pics
Gil