1971 cuda 340 4spd

This is a local car that I've known about since around 1980 and finally ended up with it in August 2017. The original owner bought it new in the Sacramento area. He added a shaker hood, rallye gauges and 15x7's early on. He dressed it up with chrome including the K frame along with a six pack. Somewhere along the way the original motor got replaced and it got into a few accidents, I think it was rode pretty hard. The car went to the son and used as high school transportation. It was basically parked after the last accident and eventually sold to the guy I got it from around 20 years ago and stored inside. Originally equipped with the 340, 4spd along with GY3 (Curious Yellow) exterior and black leather interior. The metal work is nearing completion with a new trunk floor, lower rear exterior quarters and a roof skin. I picked up a correctly dated 340 and plan on adding several factory options.

After disassembly I had the car stripped and sealed.

Original front structure

Original floor

Undercarriage

New trunk floor

Nice! I had a GY3 71 'Cuda years ago. Are you doing the car original or putting all the add-ons back on?

Neat project!
Matt

Hey Eric

You are saving another one man.
Work looks great as usual.
Looking forward to seeing you in January.

Matt

Eric,

Why must you add options? Why?

M426

I have had the parts for years and I would rather use them. You can't order one at the dealer any more.

OK so what are you adding this time? Shaker?

Finally getting close to wrapping things up with the metal work and fit of the panels along with bumpers and rear window louvers. This phase took time because my metal guy Russ could only get buy about three times a month. After working with him for over 30 years I was willing to wait to get the quality I was looking for. The next step will be to the painter for final paint and body.

Good for you, unless you are getting money for the resto from anyone else build it the way you want to....

Love the project.

Looking forward to seeing this project get completed. I have the same car (340 4spd) in same color and would be nice to see with the shaker. I want to do the same to mine. Wish I could do the rear window treatment but I have no vinyl top.
Car is looking nice!

It took a while but things are moving ahead. With any luck it could have some fresh paint on it by the end of next weekend.

Where are the fresh paint photo????

Fresh paint applied yesterday

A few more

A very exciting step. Looks great. Congrats!

Installed the hood, deck lid and doors

A beautiful car!
Matt

Got the vinyl top and head liner in yesterday

It looks great!

Wow , what a beautiful car!
Matt

Beautiful car.Wish mine was at that stage.

Things are moving ahead. The tail panel is pretty much finished. NOS moldings and gas cap

Brake booster assembly and lines in.

Looking Good Eric!

Got the grill in a while back

Pretty much finished up the dash assembly yesterday. I used very nice original woodgrain

Coming along!

Grill and dash look great!

Eric,
Looking good man
I know you have another one stacked right behind this one........

Progress has been a little slow but still moving ahead. I'm hoping to get the motor back soon. At that point the assembly should pick up.

Nice

Installed the front bumper, road lamps, lower valance and insert.

Nice work, kid !

Sweet

Awesome project! Nice

Things are taking longer than I'd like but finally got the engine and trans in.

Original Kelsey Hays rotors are on

Engine in

Ready for some tires

Steering column and shifter in

BiggE - what equipment did you use to lift the front end up?
I want to put the engine in my 71 Runner the same way & am curious on your method.

Looking good Eric
Can't wait to see it done!

Great looking stuff. Can't wait to see it together.

A little less than three years and I was finally able to drive it into the garage. I still have several things to finish up and install like the rear wing, rear window louvers and shaker assembly which should be on bye the end of the week. Also some final tuning and test driving. Having the motor run on a test stand was a big plus. Everything drive train wise seems great.

The interior is pretty much done with the exception of a better steering wheel

Driving into the garage under it's own power....a big step. Very close to done!

Eric
Car looks awesome man!

Installed the rear window louvers and wing yesterday

Stunning car. Will be turning heads everywhere it goes I am sure.

Looks sharp Eric!