Bob's 'Cuda, what did it accomplish....

[BADVELLE]

I was just thinking about and reading through the posts on the selling price and I am just curious what goals were attained with this car? I know that early on there was talk about Z2Z and the Maxon Mile, but I have not really read or heard of what Allen and Bob accomplished, that they set out to accomplish in the first place. Beside the fact that Allen and his crew built, IMHO, the nicest and best engineered musclecar to date, hands down! I know they had some issues with the powerplant early on, but I do remember reading about the run at the local airport, shakedown at least. I realize that the selling price was not what was expected (at least I believe this to be the case), but I wonder what Bob or Allen feel about the performace aspect of the car. Just curious.

[trapin]

I'm not sure there ever really was any performance goals laid out for the car (at least I don't remember any off hand). I know he prided on that car being a "driver" and not a "trailer queen" and wanted to prove it to people, which I think he did. I think Bob just wanted a killer Cuda that he could enjoy for a while and then send out into the world. In that respect I think he accomplished what he wanted. Might not have gotten what he wanted for it, but I'm sure he slept just fine Saturday night. :)

[Nine Ball]

It definitely got the media attention, probably more than any other recent musclecar custom has. It also taught the rest of us not to spend a fortune on a custom musclecar, if investment/profit is a goal. Keep the cars under $100K and you have a much larger market of buyers, in my opinion. But hey, I have a cool Hotwheels model to keep!

Tony

[Damn True]

I wonder if an ECTA or SCTA record (as was originally planned) would have changed the outcome?

[BADVELLE]

It definitely got the media attention, probably more than any other recent musclecar custom has. It also taught the rest of us not to spend a fortune on a custom musclecar, if investment/profit is a goal. Keep the cars under $100K and you have a much larger market of buyers, in my opinion. But hey, I have a cool Hotwheels model to keep!

Tony

I agree, I have the Hotwheels model (or my son does), at only $9.99 it fits my budget!

[Van B]

I wonder if an ECTA or SCTA record (as was originally planned) would have changed the outcome?

Probably not. It seems like a lot of potential buyers still believe that a car can't be driven hard without abusing it or wrecking something.

[jeff s]

Dig up the engine build article in May 2005 PHR, After that (SEMA) "the Cuda hits the open road-as in "open road racing" and "setting the 0-100-0 world record for a street legal car" we'll be there when it all happens, so stay tuned"

[Bowtie racing]

If car like that can do the power tour i think its enough. I just wish that car will be seen on road in future and not burried in some private collection..

[BADVELLE]

Dig up the engine build article in May 2005 PHR, After that (SEMA) "the Cuda hits the open road-as in "open road racing" and "setting the 0-100-0 world record for a street legal car" we'll be there when it all happens, so stay tuned"

That is what I was talking about Jeff, thanks for digging it up. I have got to think that even though it did the Power Tour (which alot of cars do), it has to be a major disappointment that they never did try the Silver State or Z2Z or even the run at the Maxton Mile. This was a car that was built with the most advanced and state of the art components/engineering. I hope Bob or Allen chimes in on this thread, I am very interested in their thoughts.

[MarkM66]

Dig up the engine build article in May 2005 PHR, After that (SEMA) "the Cuda hits the open road-as in "open road racing" and "setting the 0-100-0 world record for a street legal car" we'll be there when it all happens, so stay tuned"

Here are two cars that I remember Hot Rod stating they'd be hitting the track hard. Have they?

That '70 Plymouth Road Runner "Hammer", featured in Hot Rod.

http://www.namtramedia.com/clients/purevision/site/rides_otr_hammer.asp

'70 Hemi Cuda, http://www.lateral-g.net/members/kreations_cuda/

Just two that stick out in my mind...

[Damn True]

That orange vette was supposed to be the centerpiece of the "Pro-Touring Smackdown" which has yet to happen.

[Steve Chryssos]

The 'cuda saw plenty of track time.

[Bill Howell]

While the cuda never made an official 0-2-0 run, it was clocked at the abandoned runway in Alabama, by both radar detectors and gps running 190mph. It was not an official run, but Alan did that number several times one week and was still in 5th gear.

[Bob Johnson]

That is what I was talking about Jeff, thanks for digging it up. I have got to think that even though it did the Power Tour (which alot of cars do), it has to be a major disappointment that they never did try the Silver State or Z2Z or even the run at the Maxton Mile. This was a car that was built with the most advanced and state of the art components/engineering. I hope Bob or Allen chimes in on this thread, I am very interested in their thoughts.
I was very disappointed that we didn't make the Maxton Mile run. We tore the trans and rear out of it at Pigeon Forge and didn't have time to get the new ones in plus we were going to change the clutch and there just wasn't enough time to do it. Alan had almost shut down his shop getting the Cuda done for SEMA and just didn't have the time to allocate to constant working and traveling around with the Cuda, plus all the show schedule we had to attend. The new clutch was a dream. Bilstein revalved the rear shocks and stopped the wheel hop. The new trans and rear from Rockland was much quiter and smoother with the gears etc being rimmed. It shifted fabulously with the new clutch and aluminum driveshaft. Hopefully my new project will get my desired speed needs fulfilled since it will be a full out race car and will not have any show commitments.

[customcarpainter]

Interesting question,"What did it accomplish?"How many people that are on this forum had ever heard of Alan Johnson or Johnson's Hot Rod Shop prior to SEMA '05? After that date,This car proved all it needed to prove to the people it needed to impress, Bob and Alan.There were MANY commitments,that most people would not have even tried to fulfill, that were met with flying colors.When you're trying to do something with parts that are supposed to be top notch and "just what you need",and the inherent design flaws,or the parts simply not up to the standards of the car,something has to give.The Cuda didn't trophy at only one event that it went to where there was a class for it,Y-O-E.We all know about that fiasco.It never made Maxton or the 0-2-0.If you've ever been in anything very fast and got a chance for some seat time in the Cuda,you very well know that IS the car.I have no doubt it will do whatever Bob would have liked to have done.Sorry for the rambling!!!

[BADVELLE]

Interesting question,"What did it accomplish?"How many people that are on this forum had ever heard of Alan Johnson or Johnson's Hot Rod Shop prior to SEMA '05? After that date,This car proved all it needed to prove to the people it needed to impress, Bob and Alan.There were MANY commitments,that most people would not have even tried to fulfill, that were met with flying colors.When you're trying to do something with parts that are supposed to be top notch and "just what you need",and the inherent design flaws,or the parts simply not up to the standards of the car,something has to give.The Cuda didn't trophy at only one event that it went to where there was a class for it,Y-O-E.We all know about that fiasco.It never made Maxton or the 0-2-0.If you've ever been in anything very fast and got a chance for some seat time in the Cuda,you very well know that IS the car.I have no doubt it will do whatever Bob would have liked to have done.Sorry for the rambling!!!

I have followed Allen Johnson's builds since he started or at least since I saw one of the first ones, SB2 equipped '32! My question was not in any way meant to be negative, this car accomplished enough I am sure, what this type of car is usually built for a reason and I know that Bob and Allen wanted and did flog this car, but they did have aspirations for setting some records with it I believe, that is what I was wondering. Knowing that they broke the car after thoroughly abusing it, I wondered if that maybe made Bob want to hold on to it, but I understand that this was the best time to unload it for top dollar.

Bob -

Thanks for chiming in, I can't wait to see the next project, I understand the "salt" is in your future! One thing, is Allen and his crew building this one also?? Any early hints on the new project?? Anyway, take care and good luck with the next one.