1970 cuda 440+6 restoration

I picked up this car in 2011 in Southern California. It's originally from New York and was sold new at a dealership called Meritt in Freeport Long Island. From what I have found out it was raced somewhat early on. The original engine was pulled in favor of another 440 to do this. Luckily the car was stored inside and not used in the winter months so it is in very nice condition sheet metal wise retaining a good percentage of it's original paint. It has been through several owners including at least one member here, James T. When James had it he didn't have the original motor but knew that a previous owner in Pennsylvania had it and was kind of holding it for ransom. James sold the car to Dan and on his way back to So Cal stopped in PA and worked out a deal for the original motor. That was around 2006. So basically a lot of things are restored at this time and the car is going to paint very soon and I should have it back in February some time for final assembly.

Here is when I picked it up.

Before body work with original paint still on the car.

Here's the tag. Really nicely optioned car. Included on the build sheet is 15x7 rallye wheels, a rim blow steering wheel, power steering and clock in the standard dash.

Engine and K frame assembly almost ready

Original transmission

Very nice car! Cool that you got the original engine back, thats awesome!

Nice!

Formerly owned by L. J. McCaffrey Jr. in Syosset, NY

Nice Eric
Cant wait to see it done.

That's the car you sold me your 70 340 Cuda to buy, right?

Matt

Yep, This is the one Matt

Nice cuda!! That's funny, a guy in Cali buying a car from NY!!
I have a similar car from way up state NY. One owner, 35k miles, no winter's!

E

Looking forward to seeing this coming out paint.

M

ALMOST!

I saw VIN on your FT and thought I found an extra BS for it, an extra I found in my car.
Unfortunately not, but similar.
BS23V0B157224
BS23V0B157442

I sent the 157442 BS to Barry.

Here's some more of the history:

Ernesto owned it from around '81-82, until 1986. He sold it to Leonard McCaffrey Jr. in order to buy a Pontiac Fiero of all things. He offered the original 440 long block to Leonard for an extra $500, but he passed on it, in order to have the cash for a front end rebuild...

Leonard kept the car at his parents house and a fellow named Rich saw the car sitting outside in the driveway sometime in the mid-'90's. He told his friend Greg Tombolo about it and he purchased the 'Cuda around '95. I really liked the car and every time I spoke with the owner, I'd ask him if it was for sale. One day out of the blue, Greg called me to say it was up for grabs and he kindly gave me first shot at it. Within a week or two, the 'Cuda was in my possession. I embarked on the idea of performing an OEM restoration and proceeded to buy as many date coded correct NOS and good used parts. Many were sent to RestoRick and Pete Bloathner.

In 2001, after a long search for Ernesto's information, Daniel Banker (RIP) somehow located his phone number for me. I ended up speaking with Ernesto about the 'Cuda for hours, before I even inquired about the original 440. Sure enough, he still had it sitting in a garage. I met him and he took me to see the engine. The wind was knocked out of my sails when he told me he wanted $9,500 for it. Mind you, it had dropped a valve in the early '80's and there was no guarantee on the block. I had paid $7,500 for the rolling body a few years prior and complete '70 V-code 'Cudas were only selling in the $30-40k range at that time. By 2006, I had burned out on restorations and was burning up with Viper fever and posted a for sale ad here on Moparts. The car sold quickly to another member and he flew out and trailered it back home to San Pedro, California. I satisfied the Viper itch (lasted for a year or two, before I got bored and sold that off, in order to buy another ‘70 6bbl 4-spd ‘Cuda

I'm glad the 'Cuda is in very capable hands and can't wait to see the finished product!

That is going to be one nice car when done..............

You forgot one part of the story. I offered to buy the car from Greg and he declined. I asked that if he ever wanted to sell the car to contact me. I would've bought the car for the price you ended up paying it for. I was happy to sell the engine to the new owner and see the car again. I did not hold the engine for ransom as someone stated.

Just got back from hanging the doors and deck lid. Paint and body look very nice. I should be able to pick it up by next weekend.

Driver side

That looks Fantastic!
Matt

Picked it up today. I am very happy with the results.

Things are moving along. Tail panel black out and molding on.

Looking good! Can’t wait to see the black top back on it with the white interior. Such a sharp combo👍

Nice!

A few more parts installed

Looking good so far

Nice work, can't get enough of this one

Things are moving along with the cuda. the rear end and springs went in this last weekend.

Eric
looking good man.

Made a lot of progress Monday.

Undercarriage, nos tie rod ends and nice original suspension parts.

Original rotors

First time on suspension in a few years

Looks good on the Polyglas tires

Eric
Looks great, I can't wait until the interior is in.

That's a sweet piece right there Eric.

Very nice work.

Looks like you are doing a great job! It looks like you have a 70 Coronet R/T in there as well. Love those Coronet R/T's

WOW WOW WOW!!!! That is a nice piece! The options and color combo is outstanding. Your workmanship looks perfect.
Have fun with that one.
Ron

Very nice, like your garage too.

Looks great!

Installed the dash assembly last night. Original dash pad and gauges. Kind of an oddball with the standard gauges, clock, AM/FM along with the three knobs for the road lamps, speaker fader, and clock adjust. Also included are rear defrost, headlight time delay along with delayed lighting for the dash instruments, basically all lighting groups available with vinyl interior.

Eric
Its coming together man, not long now.

Slowly moving along. The interior is pretty much complete. I am hoping to get the cuda fired up this month.

Looking good E

Very nice !

Installed the front and rear glass last weekend. Almost finished!