Metalwork

Chris, the Metalman has started his magic. As there was an extensive amount of rust all around the body, not all of it can be cured by replacement panels. To begin with, the structural beam behind the c-pillar on the driver side had to be rebuilt from scratch. This is the kind of part you cannot buy in any store but it is vital for the rigidy of the unibody. Chris is doing a very good job, not just making the Cuda look good on the outside but also taking care of the things you normally can't see. The inner and outer fender on the driver side have also been put in place, but they haven't been welded in yet. This work will take some time, but I'd rather have it done once and .

On another front I have good news from the other side of the atlantic, the patrs I ordered ar on their way and should be here by the end of the month. Can't wait to do some serious unpacking!!!

New parts

This is the easy part: Buying stuff! This week I got the TTI Exhaust I ordered from the Moparshop in Germany, along with the Dynomyx mufflers and a pair of weld in - frame rail connectors. I expect a big gain in chassis stiffness from the connectors, the bottom line for any possible future suspension upgrades. The exhaust bits are 2,5 inches in diameter, they look massive and I hope the end tips I already have will fit without any further fabrication.

Blasted

Back from blasting. Now all the rust is gone and with it some parts of the body! Holes everywhere...ready to be welded. I'm not worried about the rear of the car -where the rust was worst - because most of the panels will be replaced. Quarters left and right, trunk floor, trunk floor extensions left and right, rear panel, rear valance panel, rear deck panel,inner fenders left and right, outer fenders left and right. In addition to that there are the lower corners under the windshield, ready to be welded in. Some parts of the structure under the C-post will have to be fabricated, the framerails and doorsills are good.

When everything is done I'll have the peace of mind, that everything was done right and no shortcuts were taken.

On another front, there is still no final decision on the color...the original color was sandpebble beige, I suppose not very many 'cudas were delivered that color and most of those have probably since been resprayed to one of the more flamboyant seventies colors. White is also still an option, I've still got time to think it over...

Really rusty

The first attempt to have the 'cuda sandblasted ended in dismal failure. The car was not accepted, it would be useless to blast unless the quarters and the trunk floor were not removed, so the expert. Too much rust would remain in secluded areas - how right he was. So all the parts that were in the way were removed...not a pretty sight!

Rust repair will be the major issue for the months to come...

The good part ist that the framerails are solid and that I am really being thourough!

Man at work

To Alex, without whos help and dedication I would not be as far as I am, thank's Alex!

Body in white

And here is a more detailed pic of the 'cuda just before it left for the body shop. After the engine and the interior got pulled it took several more days of back-breaking, knuckle-scuffing work to tear everything else out. I keep telling myself not to panic, everything will eventually come together again.

Ready to roll

I've recieved a sublte nudge from a friend to reassume some activity here and so I'm back again. A lot has happend since January - has it really been that long??? - and so I'll try to fill you in.

The 'cuda has been torn apart completely and in the meantime it's on the way to the bodyshop! And as you can see in the pic it really travelled in style :-)

What a small step for an old heap of junk and a giant leap for a reborn classic. Countless problems have had to be solved to get this far and everybody tells me that disassembly is the easy part!?!