1971 Cuda Gran Coupe Restoration

When I sold my racecar earlier this year, it was to focus my attention on a car that we've had in my family since the early 90s; a 1971 Barracuda Gran Coupe. It was originally a 318, AC, PS, 3.23 open, sassygrass green hardtop, a far throw from my 10.40 Coronet NSS I had won a points championship in. The Cuda has spent most of the 90s in body shop jail due to a real character who ripped my parents off pretty good for bodywork he claimed to have done, but never did. Fast forward to 2010ish,the car had sat as a shell in the garage, survived my parents separation, and was a prime candidate for me to buy as a graduation present to myself.

My goal is to build this car into my ideal street/strip car, something I can drive to work (something I never did with the Coronet), but then race on weekends in Sportsman or big $ footbrake races. I had picked up a BGE sometime around 2016, and had a lot.of the original parts luckily, despite them being hastily boxed away when things hit the fan with my parents.

My goal is to use the stock 6.4 with a Scat Pak cam, run 11s, and have the best of both worlds. AC, PS, Dana 60 with 3.91s, caltracs, torsion bars, stock appearing.

Not sure if that type of build is what fits into this section of the forum, but I'll try to post some pictures just to gauge interest. It sorta keeps me motivated on long term projects like this.

I've decided to create a YouTube account with a buddy to start documenting the build, at the very least so my kids can see how everything unfolded.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTus_wQu8POADHEeJNJp2nr4NMHEyB9EK

What your propose above is not a restoration.

It is a custom build.

Nothing wrong with that.

And you could also start by properly identifying the car for what it is, a Barracuda Gran Coupe, your more than obvious bias towards racing shows your ignorance toward what the car was called back when it was originally built.

Great! From now on, I'll be referring to this car as my 1974 Ford Nova SS 351. Thanks for your input!

Autocorrect changed it from Gran to Grand on my phone. I apologise if I offended the Mopar Restoration community, I wasn't aware the rules were so strict. Probably why I frequent racing a bit more than car shows. Mods feel free to delete this thread for me.

Awe what the heck.
You did call it a "Cuda" Grand Coupe. There never was a "Cuda" Gran Coupe but as previously noted it was a " Barracuda" Gran Coupe. Then you said it was a "Restoration" which with your description will be anything but a "Restoration". So save yourself some grief and just call it what it will be... A Hot Rod. LOL!

Well "sorta" a loosely applied restoration. The body itself will be very much as original as realistic for most enthusiasts, as well as the interior. Will it have a numbers matching concourse bumper jack in the trunk or NOS anything, no, but it'll be as close as I can get it. Drivetrain, brakes, and suspension will be a different story. The car is a shell to be turned back into a functioning car, thus the use of the term restoration.

Itll end up more.of a "Cuda" because Itll end up with billboards and fender gills, but will retain the woodgrain and overhead console.

Looks like you've got a great project there! ..Looking forward to see it progress...Don't let them steal your thunder..And they're hardly the "mopar community" just some self righteous fellows that like to elevate themselves higher than they actually are...Good luck with your project..

Turn on the fan please.

Well said, Screamindriver.

If someone is needed at the Concourse d'Lemons to confirm how many threads should be on the attachment stud on fake 'Cooda side scoops we know who to call.

A39Coronet: you can always tell the self-righteous to pull their pants up, you hear their Mom coming towards the basement.

Best of luck on the restoration of your '74 Ford 280Z! Great video by the way.