New to the site 73 cuda survivor

[Acablik]

Hello I just purchased a 73 cuda "survivor"

It is all original except for centerline wheels and a paint job. Both I imagine we're done in the nineties.

I believe I'm the third owner.

I am going to try and keep it original as possible

 

[Acablik]

Here are pics of the fender tag...

 

[Challenger RTA]

Good score. 3rd owner and 3 blacks Interior,paint and strip. 3rd one is a charm. Is that cubed or does that = 9? yeah makes no sense. Did you get the window sticker and brodcast sheet with it?

 

[Acablik]

well it's actually tahitian gold. But looks black with the 80s worn respray!.

I haven't checked the back seat for the build sheet but I bet it's there because as far as I can see this car has never been apart.

i am wrestling with keeping the paint as it is or doing a proper paint job but leaving the factory paint on the jambs...and thoughts? There are minor rust spots that need to be addressed but they can be blended.

 

[Challenger RTA]

OK! I see it now! Great ether way.had to tilt the monitor to see it.
Tahitian gold is the new black? Paint.I would work the door jams first to see if you like it.Then go forward if you don't care it. Do more of a preservation for now.make your mind up latter.Days weeks months or in the middle of the night.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

Good score , Welcome !

 

[fasjac]

Welcome to the site from Arkansas! Great find. Looking forward to seeing the progress. It did appear black at first glance but, I see the color. Haven’t seen many that code that I remember. I like it.

 

[moparlee]

Welcome to the site from Michigan!
Fix the rust areas and non-original parts and keep it as is, IMO.

 

[Rapidfire]

Welcome to FEBO! Nice 'Cuda!

 

[Acablik]

Welcome to the site from Arkansas! Great find. Looking forward to seeing the progress. It did appear black at first glance but, I see the color. Haven’t seen many that code that I remember. I like it.

Thanks! I do to. The color has grown on me. My goal is to have an all blue car collection. I was (am still) looking for a blue AAR cuda or a blue n95 shaker hood 340 70 or 71 4speed.

However I found this car and it was too good to pass up. You just don't see them like this any more. It has lived its whole life here in GA.

My research shows that this color was a high impact color and carried an additional cost. And in 1973 this was definitely a period correct color!

The respray is a bit darker and less metallic than the original color which can be found on the under side of the deck lid. But the patina looks cool and allows me to not care too much if it's a bit dirty or where I park it. It runs and drives beautifully.

I am looking for a good original grill. This one is cracked along the top all the way across. I am also looking for a better old black AC dash board. I don't want to replace it with new because it will stick out too much from the original interior.

I am also going to have the tach and clock repaired not replaced.

The exhaust is pretty rotted too I will replace that and use some non original pipes and mufflers to give it a little nicer sound.

 

[Acablik]

Welcome to the site from Michigan!
Fix the rust areas and non-original parts and keep it as is, IMO.

Thanks I agree! I like it better as all original and I bet it's worth more this way too. I have some factory style steel wheels with dog dish caps coming for it. My research tells me to leave the wheel black since it's after 71 they didn't color code the wheels.

 

[73pettyblue]

Looks great. Just drive the wheel off it. Head turner for sure.

 

[ted s]

too bad someone cut the door panels for spreaker

 

[Acablik]

too bad someone cut the door panels for spreaker

Not Ideal but I will leave em in there. They are kind of cool in a way as a typical mod of the times. Same with the dog scratches on the door panels! All of this stuff tells the story of the car and I'm ok with that.

 

[DetMatt1]

Love the color, congrats and welcome.

 

[cuda joe]

nice car I love the patina and would;t repaint it.. you can drive it and have fun

 

[70chall440]

Welcome from WA state, nice car in an interesting color.

 

[Adam]

If all the pieces are there, you can fix that grill. I use flexible bumper adhesive and some type of reinforcement on the back side. The adhesive is very tough, but doesn’t set up hard or brittle. It will have a tiny bit of give to it, unlike epoxies or fiberglass. The stuff I used has a very short working time, 2-3 minutes; so you can actually just hold the pieces by hand until it sets up. Lord Fusor Extreme Bumper Repair Adhesive (Medium)

Dont waste your time trying to repair the clock guts. It has contact points that arc/burn/corrode in a short time. It will stop working, just like the originals…. It is a cool mechanism and would make a cool desk top piece, but unless you want to fix it every year or less, the retrofit quartz movement is the way to go. Imo.

The tach is an easy do it yourself project; you just need to solder a couple of wires..

Main Page - rte

www.rt-eng.com

Good luck, and more pics please.

 

[fasjac]

Thanks! I do to. The color has grown on me. My goal is to have an all blue car collection. I was (am still) looking for a blue AAR cuda or a blue n95 shaker hood 340 70 or 71 4speed.

However I found this car and it was too good to pass up. You just don't see them like this any more. It has lived its whole life here in GA.

My research shows that this color was a high impact color and carried an additional cost. And in 1973 this was definitely a period correct color!

The respray is a bit darker and less metallic than the original color which can be found on the under side of the deck lid. But the patina looks cool and allows me to not care too much if it's a bit dirty or where I park it. It runs and drives beautifully.

I am looking for a good original grill. This one is cracked along the top all the way across. I am also looking for a better old black AC dash board. I don't want to replace it with new because it will stick out too much from the original interior.

I am also going to have the tach and clock repaired not replaced.

The exhaust is pretty rotted too I will replace that and use some non original pipes and mufflers to give it a little nicer sound.

As Adam mentioned, you can fix the grille. If you don’t have all the pieces, I have one that has the right end broken. Just letting you know.

 

[73-Cudah2]

Nice 73 Cuda, Welcome!