My 72 340 Cuda project

I've had it for a while but I am finally making forward progress as opposed to tear down progress! The first set of pictures is the panel replacement process. The total tally was all floor pans, trunk floor, front fenders, top and bottom firewall, quarter panels, quarter extensions, filler panel between trunk and rear glass, and various patches. I had a retired body man do all the panel replacement and he worked out of his two car garage. I helped with what I could but it was all him when it came to panel replacement.

He started with the trunk floor and quarter extensions - both quarters were removed.

Quarters next...

Front floor pans...

Old rusted firewall removed, top and bottom...

Voila...new firewall....

Turns out I needed rear floor pans too. Should have bought the one piece panel!! Doh!!

The various sections that were cut out and patch welded were piling up!

Oh yeah, forgot to mention new outer wheel housings on both sides as well..

Eventually, we ran out of panels to replace so it was primered and sealed....

Doors were patched...

...primered...

After the sanding, the PPG Tawny Gold Metallic paint was sprayed.

Back home in my garage - engine bay, interior and chassis painted. Doors hung. K-frame blasted, painted and installed.

Blasted, primed and painted suspension pieces..

Installed with the Edelbrock IAS shocks..

And polyurethane bushings...

Blasted, primed, painted brake pedal assembly (killing time waiting for my suspension bushings to come in)

Mopar Performance crate engine to go in while I build the original 340. I originally had this engine for a 49 Dodge project that I got rid of (that's why I had painted over the orange with turquoise and painted the valve covers off-white)

That's where I'm at right now. Waiting for my strut rods. In the meantime, I started restoring the steering column..

Nice project, and I like the tawny gold. nice to see something different. I've seen enough 72 and up Cuda's in high impact colors with hockey stick stripes

You haven't mentioned the cars options or what are your plans?

I also own a 72 340 4spd Cuda, shown here in this section as well.

Thanks.

I've been referring to my approach as a "Day 2000" restoration. I am putting it back together mostly stock with some minor modern "Day 2" type upgrades - larger disc brakes, modern shocks, stainless lines, polyurethane bushings, 17 inch wheels, CD player. The original colors will be maintained and it will be mostly stock appearing outside and in. I am going to put a 380HP Mopar Performance crate engine initially, but it will eventually get the 340 in it once it's rebuilt.
I'm also planning to go with bigger torsion bars, firm feel power steering gear and HD strut rods. I want it to handle better than stock but I'm not out to build a G-machine.

Looks like your glass is up on a shelf. This is an old photo but shows how I stored my glass during the build. I used garage hooks and then slit a section of hose lengthwise and installed it on the edges of the glass to further protect it. Works great.

I ended putting the rear and front glass up in the attic room above the garage. It's a 12x26 area with a 7 foot ceiling so it is basically a second floor. I did hang my hood up on the wall though to keep it out of the way