I am looking for pictures of how the hood release lever comes out through the grill opening on a 1971 Cuda. This would be a hood pin car that does not have the cable release, only the release in the grill. I have a correct hadle but I think it may have been bent at some time because I can't get it to fit at all.

Can anyone tell me if this is the correct release lever for a 1971 Cuda?

It is correct.
Jules

Here are the rest for comparison.
These are restored ones I did for a client.
Jules

Well then I have to figure out why it doen't seem to fit.

Sorry guys but that's not a 71 Cuda hood release.
The client who sent you that Jules could not have taken it from a Cuda, may have bought it thinking so.
It wont fit through the opening in the grill..it is from a C-body.
You cant even bend it to the angle a Cuda has and the release is too far off to even begin to make it work.
71 Cuda release....

angle in grill...

out of grill...

another shot of angle...

Terry I respect your expertise but I have several before pictures from clients cars that
say differently. These restored releases are now in the cars and work fine.
This one from 71 Hemicuda that Mauro is doing right now.

71 convertible cuda now at Paul Jacobs shop.

Ken Mosier's shop looks more like yours.
Terry yours looks a little bent actually.
Could there have been 2 models available?
Jules

Not sure if there were two different ones Jules, but they have to have the bend down and back to fit into the grill opening.
Perhaps it is the way it looks in the photos but the original poster and your first photos appear to have a flat blade which would make it protrude in between the grill and the header panel.
The Mosier photo is the same as the one that is in my car that I have owned since 1976, bending down and back as seen by the creases.
Mine is a late built June car so perhaps used one like above, maybe a late year thing??.
Looks like we'll have to dig a little deeper into this one.

Looks like we will have to dig deeper because I have more pictures of client's releases like the flat one and it's kind of
hard to believe they all have C Body parts.
I will look into it.
Thanks Terry. Hope all is well with you.
Jules

Thanks mccannix, thoose are the kind of pictures I have been looking for. I bought mine off E-Bay stating it is a rare 71 Cuda latch. But like you said their is no way it can fit with out some major bending being done to it.

So I have some answers but more questions as what it correct, I have not seen any like yours for sale. And I would like to see proof of a picture that one like I have will fit, cause I see know way.

here is one for a 71 cuda.

Thanks for the picture but they all pretty much look the same from that view. It is the handle up inside of the grill that is the important part.

on my car the lever has the slight bends...not like the picture of the one with the deep bends...looking from the front of the car...the handle should not be lower than the grille..its flush...the deeper bend seems like it will hang down and show in the grille

It's looking more and more that there are 2 models.
Jules