Awesome 71 Cuda

[rklein71]

I spoke with the owner of this N code Cuda. This car has raced up the Pikes Peak hill climb and it is bad ass. Nice guy to talk to.

 

[rklein71]

 

[Cuda Hunter]

that car is bad ass
I've seen it go by, once, really fast!

 

[Cuda Hunter]

@rklein71 Are you in the Springs?

 

[rklein71]

@rklein71 Are you in the Springs?

I was there for my 40-year high school reunion. I live in Amarillo Texas now. Here is a picture of my 71.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

What high school?
I graduated Widefield 94'.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

I love how they included the entire 12 minute run after the initial segment of the video.
I've driven that mountain many times, stupidly a few.
I'd love to do a real hill climb up that mountain. Actually a decent road.

 

[rklein71]

I love how they included the entire 12 minute run after the initial segment of the video.
I've driven that mountain many times, stupidly a few.
I'd love to do a real hill climb up that mountain. Actually a decent road.

Palmer High. I moved away in 1984.

 

[PPIHCracer]

Thank you all for the kind comments. I drive through Amarillo every time we go back to Ok. to see family. Here is a link to our 2016 run.

 

[70chall440]

Id like to learn more about the car. It seems like its a similar build to the my 73 but much more purpose built whereas I deviated from the race car aspect and went more street car (no cage).

 

[rklein71]

Thank you all for the kind comments. I drive through Amarillo every time we go back to Ok. to see family. Here is a link to our 2016 run.

I watched that video as well. Awesome!!!! When I was in high school (1980), I operated a radar gun during the hill climb, I believe it was the 16 mile turn (around 6:50 point). It was awesome to have cars coming at you at 100 mph and slowing down enough to make the hard left up the hill. Maybe you can stop in Amarillo and visit me. Rod

 

[PPIHCracer]

Id like to learn more about the car. It seems like its a similar build to the my 73 but much more purpose built whereas I deviated from the race car aspect and went more street car (no cage).

The car is nothing fancy, still T-bars and leafs just different springs rates. F/R anti sway bars, 4 wheel disc, small block with w5 heads and a carb, close ratio 4 speed inside Passon aluminum cases, 8 3/4 with 4.30 gears on a Detroit TruTrac carrier to help launch the heavy thing off the corners. Still has the factory dash pad, rallye gage cluster and headliner. Car started life as 1 of approx 71 built with the base drivetrain, E65, D13, D53. How many of those were TX9 inside and out I do not know. The engine/trans/rear axle were base the rest of the car was optioned nicely, A01, A62, C16, C55, G31, G33, L05, L11, L15, L25, L31, L34, L65, L74, L76, J25, J45, M21, M25, M26, M31, M88, N41, N42, S41, S83, W21, SRX9. Fairly late scheduled build date of 4-26.

 

[PPIHCracer]

I watched that video as well. Awesome!!!! When I was in high school (1980), I operated a radar gun during the hill climb, I believe it was the 16 mile turn (around 6:50 point). It was awesome to have cars coming at you at 100 mph and slowing down enough to make the hard left up the hill. Maybe you can stop in Amarillo and visit me. Rod

You are a lucky person to have grown up here and been able to work this race. We owe a huge "Thank You" to the people who volunteer to work this event. 16 Mile is the end of the W section. My favorite part of the course is from Glen Cove to Devils.
Tell me about your '71.
My email address is [email protected].

 

[70chall440]

The car is nothing fancy, still T-bars and leafs just different springs rates. F/R anti sway bars, 4 wheel disc, small block with w5 heads and a carb, close ratio 4 speed inside Passon aluminum cases, 8 3/4 with 4.30 gears on a Detroit TruTrac carrier to help launch the heavy thing off the corners. Still has the factory dash pad, rallye gage cluster and headliner. Car started life as 1 of approx 71 built with the base drivetrain, E65, D13, D53. How many of those were TX9 inside and out I do not know. The engine/trans/rear axle were base the rest of the car was optioned nicely, A01, A62, C16, C55, G31, G33, L05, L11, L15, L25, L31, L34, L65, L74, L76, J25, J45, M21, M25, M26, M31, M88, N41, N42, S41, S83, W21, SRX9. Fairly late scheduled build date of 4-26.

Thats a cool car for sure. What rear springs are you using and what size T bars?

 

[PPIHCracer]

Thats a cool car for sure. What rear springs are you using and what size T bars?

1.12 T/160# leafs. 1.125 front anti and 3/4 rear anti. Ancient non-adjustable Carrera shocks.

 

[rklein71]

My dad had his 26 turtle deck "T" frame made by John Wells, famous for the Well's Coyote sprint cars. I have been to his shop which was in Woodland Park in the 80's. Here is an interesting article of him smashing his trophy in 2000 in complaint of the ridiculously low prize amounts. https://apnews.com/article/3475c0bf97d8d2eba4a56c9b46a187e8

Just noticed the Howard's BBQ sponsor on the side. My grandmother worked at Howard's BBQ for years. My family also new Larry Carnes and Clint Vahsholtz, both who raced for many years up the peak. Oh yeah, multi-year winner Ralph Bruning, a police officer, gave me my first ticket when I crashed my car.

 

[PPIHCracer]

My dad had his 26 turtle deck "T" frame made by John Wells, famous for the Well's Coyote sprint cars. I have been to his shop which was in Woodland Park in the 80's. Here is an interesting article of him smashing his trophy in 2000 in complaint of the ridiculously low prize amounts. https://apnews.com/article/3475c0bf97d8d2eba4a56c9b46a187e8

Just noticed the Howard's BBQ sponsor on the side. My grandmother worked at Howard's BBQ for years. My family also new Larry Carnes and Clint Vahsholtz, both who raced for many years up the peak. Oh yeah, multi-year winner Ralph Bruning, a police officer, gave me my first ticket when I crashed my car.
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Very cool car. Looks to be Chev powered with those angled injector stacks and mag at the back of the block.

Funny how large and yet how small the PPIHC community is. I have traveled a little and people always comment or have a Pikes Peak story to tell.

Tell me about your Cuda.

 

[rklein71]

Here below is an article of my build now two years ago. Currently a driver in primer with a four speed, 408 magnum based with EQ cylinder heads, and Sniper EFI with Hyperspark ignition. It has 1.08 t-bars, f & r sway bars, boxed lower control arms, c-body tie rods, tubular upper control arms , a US Car Tools chassis stiffening kit, and discs front and rear. What Are You Working On?

 

[70chall440]

Here is my 73, it has a 416 stroker, EFI 6 pack, Edelbrock heads, roller cam, TTI headers, A833 4spd, braced 8 3/4 with 3.23 gears, 4 link with Strange coil over shocks, boxed LCAs, Firm Feel tubular UCAs, large front sway bar (don't remember the size), 1.14" T bars. The car has USCT SFC and my own design of inner fender braces and lower radiator brace.

 

[70chall440]

I did not use the oil accumulator by the time I was done, it just took up too much room, but I still have it "just in case".