Bluecifer 1970 Cuda B7 Blue Restoration

[MOPARMITCH]

I don't do body work and paint. My shop is just not set up for it and I've never done it. You guys know how hard it is to find someone that will take a project. Even though this is not a huge project to paint. Most body shops just want to do production insurance work, easy peasy. I think I'm on guy number 7. He's supposed to come this week and take a look. Meanwhile, I have begun to work on individual components to have them ready, if and when the car does come back. The master cylinder was numbers matching date coded so I sent the cylinder out to be stainless steel sleeved. Haven't put it back together yet. Blasted the k-frame and got it ready, and then going to work on the differential which still had all of the brakes and tires attached to it sitting outside.

 

[R4Sedan]

Hey, Mitch. A picture of you without a cigar. That's rare.

 

[Xcudame]

Very nice project! Honestly I try not to follow too many projects because it reminds me I need to work on my own Barracuda! Are you planning on doing a full restoration back to factory? Or slipping in a few modifications here and there? I have lots of reference information if going the full restoration route. And some hidden mod suggestions if you're interested.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Very nice project! Honestly I try not to follow too many projects because it reminds me I need to work on my own Barracuda! Are you planning on doing a full restoration back to factory? Or slipping in a few modifications here and there? I have lots of reference information if going the full restoration route. And some hidden mod suggestions if you're interested.

The car is completely Numbers. Matching. Plan is to make it look like it did the day it came from the Mopar Dealership. I do my own mechanical engine and transmission and all else work. I will probably modify the engine internally to give it a little more horsepower, but externally the car will look original. I'd be interested to hear what your thoughts are.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

I blasted the differential outside since it was easy to roll around with the wheels and all still on it. Repainted it after I primed it and then rolled it inside. I was pleasantly surprised when I disassembled the drums and looked inside. One drum on the left side had a nut rolling around inside of the drum. I assumed it was an axle flange nut, but I was wrong. Don't know how it ended up there. Doesn't look like anyone was ever in there before. Everything inside of the drum looked original to me. Still had Mopar wheel cylinders on it with the numbers, and still had pentastar brake shoes on it. One of the studs for the axle plate still had the push on stop to prevent the nut from coming off on both sides. I honed and rebuilt both original wheel cylinders. I cleaned up all the hardware and the brake shoes in my blast cabinet and repainted them, ready to go back on. The drums I have cleaned up and painted and put on a drum lathe at my buddy shop to true them up.

 

[70 4715]

Looks like you already have the 390 rallye rims for it.

 

[Xcudame]

Remember the drums get the two inch wide reddish orange strip with Rallye wheels.

 

[floyd]

Your car to do as you like, but backing plates would be natural steel color I believe.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Your car to do as you like, but backing plates would be natural steel color I believe.

This car had never been apart before. The rear backing plates were black when I removed them. I did check references to see what is correct. I did see some pics with steel color, but I'll leave mine black like they were. I think the black is correct for this car....

 

[cuda joe]

what a great rust free car it;s a bonus that that guy bagged everything is that the original radio too

 

[MOPARMITCH]

what a great rust free car it;s a bonus that that guy bagged everything is that the original radio too

Yes R35 Am/Fm Multiplex. 3 speaker dash. The guy ordered it with the car. Console delete, HD 11in Man brakes, Man Strg, HD suspension....All Business......

 

[floyd]

This car had never been apart before. The rear backing plates were black when I removed them. I did check references to see what is correct. I did see some pics with steel color, but I'll leave mine black like they were. I think the black is correct for this car....

Cool detail. Any evidence of black paint on the leaf springs?

 

[Xcudame]

Most paint would burn off the brake drums after a few years. Some where painted black, a lot were natural and most are rust color after 55+ years! Chrysler typically used semi-gloss (almost a satin) black for any suspension/brake parts. I believe if the rear leaf springs were painted, they were dipped in black paint.

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Cool detail. Any evidence of black paint on the leaf springs?

Dunno yet. Will investigate when I get to em. Ones I did for the Road Runner , I did in Natural/Cast Blast.....This car is so original, I'm quite sure I will be able to tell true color when I get to them.....

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Most paint would burn off the brake drums after a few years. Some where painted black, a lot were natural and most are rust color after 55+ years! Chrysler typically used semi-gloss (almost a satin) black for any suspension/brake parts. I believe if the rear leaf springs were painted, they were dipped in black paint.

View attachment 141130

These leaf springs have been on this car for decades. I will probably disassemble them after I re-arch them Slightly ( have a truck shop that can do that for me ). Find out original color and install new sliders and bushings....Paint accordingly...

 

[WhiteGP]

More pics, after I got it inside my shop and out of the trailer that was in my driveway. Now on the rotisserie.
View attachment 140965View attachment 140966View attachment 140967

Excellent !!! The best muscle car ever made IMHO I currently own my 3rd 70 Cuda, a 440 4 speed U-Code Looking forward to more post ..... BTW I would kill for that Radio .... I'm adding a Borgeson steering box later in July

 

[WhiteGP]

Remember the drums get the two inch wide reddish orange strip with Rallye wheels.

View attachment 141128

I did not know this !?!?! Interesting .... Mine does not have the red ?

 

[MOPARMITCH]

I did not know this !?!?! Interesting .... Mine does not have the red ?

Build sheet says mine came with painted steelies and center caps. But I will put the red splash on incase I decide to put Rallys on it later...

 

[WhiteGP]

Build sheet says mine came with painted steelies and center caps. But I will put the red splash on incase I decide to put Rallys on it later...

Interesting, i have attached two files from my build sheet

 

[MOPARMITCH]

Interesting, i have attached two files from my build sheet

View attachment 141160

View attachment 141161

Nice !! I posted my build sheets on page one of this thread. Is your car engine and transmission numbers matching ?