71 barracuda Gran coupe aka French fish

[lilian]

think I start a thread on the built of my barracuda.
first i would like to tell that barracuda's were sold new in France at that time and some of the rarest optioned models are out here.

last year after having owned mustangs for 15 years i dreamt of my first US muscle my orange 72 challenger. I also had good memories of my rusted 72 cuda and decided to look for a 70 or 71 E-body. As I do not like easy deals, I decided to focuse on 71 cuda and was happy to buy a solid example from texas off ebay for a very reasonnable price. moreover, the baracuda has been modified from auto to manual and came with a 07 Hemi on a wooden pallet.

here are some picts of this story
the ad on ebay
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here is it :
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in my garage
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chemical stripping
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new color chosen : arctic white :
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door jambs painted
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engine disassambly
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inside fenders, header panel painted
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will be stripping the floors and paint it with rustoleum
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next I will install the painless wiring and prepare the engine for the swap

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

This is a pretty tough looking car as it was when you started the project. I bet the final look will be awesome.

[1badchevelle]

Nice cuda.

I would recommend using por-15 for the floors.

[PonchoJohn]

That's a nice car.
My cousin had a 71 Grand Coupe Convertible- talk about an oxymoron of a name. Evidently, it was very rare, as people were fighting over it when he sold it.

[jackfrost]

sweet project.

I bet it was painful to get it shipped from Texas to France. :razz:

[lilian]

sweet project.

I bet it was painful to get it shipped from Texas to France. :razz:

it took 3 monthes to have the cuda in france, it arrived on feb 09.

[GM_muscle]

looks good so far. keep up the work.

[thedodgeboys]

Pretty cool Cuda is that a 6.1 or a 5.7 Hemi?

What will you use for an ecm on that hemi?

what trans are you planning on using?

I did a 6.1 hemi swap in my challenger and would be happy to share what I learned if you are interested.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC_0070-2.jpg

[Motown 454]

Nice project . Good luck with it.

[lilian]

Pretty cool Cuda is that a 6.1 or a 5.7 Hemi?

What will you use for an ecm on that hemi?

what trans are you planning on using?

I did a 6.1 hemi swap in my challenger and would be happy to share what I learned if you are interested.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSC_0070-2.jpg


thanks all for the comments

Dodgeboys : the engine is 5.7L with Mds, it will be carbed and I have a MSd 6 hemi to run it; i read your thread on CC and you have a beautiful ebody.
my main concern at the moment is MDS. I read that if it is disconnected, the "special" lifters will act as regular ones till 5500. but as far as I am now, I was unable to cross comments that confirm this.
if someone has any idea on this, I will be more than happy to learn more.

[thedodgeboys]

Lilian,
I will check on the MDS I dont know about that rpm thing.
i would change them to be safe but it may not matter.

that hemi 6 from msd looks sweet I think you will like it.

you didnt say what transmission, I can get you a killer deal on a 6-speed :)

[lilian]

Lilian,
I will check on the MDS I dont know about that rpm thing.
i would change them to be safe but it may not matter.

that hemi 6 from msd looks sweet I think you will like it.

you didnt say what transmission, I can get you a killer deal on a 6-speed :)

thanks, I have a 4 spd in the cuda, was willing to stay with it as I do not want to cut the cuda, but I try to sell my 70 mach 1 and I maybe in search of a better transmission. pm me your killer deal ....

[Chris 68]

le projet impressionnant, qui est ma voiture de rêve! I'm a lil rusty on my french

[T_Raven]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/09/DSCN2182_640x480-1.jpg

This picture is awesome.

[lilian]

my wife took it that day :1st:

[1971CHEVELLE]

very nice project

[lilian]

le projet impressionnant, qui est ma voiture de rêve! I'm a lil rusty on my french

your French is good, as good as my english :cool:

[lilian]

haven't done a lot lately, gathered lots of parts and did work on my mach 1, had to take the mach engine out to reground the carnk as a bearing was damaged ....

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[CruizinKev]

looking good! :twothumbs

[lilian]

here are a couple of picts of the cuda as it is right now, I plan on working on it after christmas holidays when the stang is completed

[lilian]

I have lots of parts ( front valance, dash pad, clutch carpet suspension parts) that will be shipped next week

I am detailing the front sheetmetal to look like an original cuda

[Bryce]

I like that mustang. And the cuda will be sweet when completed.

[lilian]

3 years since my last post in this thread. bought a house and finished other projetcs in order to build this one in no hurry.

so the first body parts are at the bodyshop. I decide to have the original barracuda fenders looked like cuda ones and my fabricator welded the cuda opening.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/0021-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/001-1.jpg

[lilian]

a new windshield support has been welded
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/008-1.jpg

[lilian]

new lower quarters

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/003-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/005-1.jpg

[lilian]

trunck sanded and primered, waiting for another coat of primier

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/0041-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2012/10/0031-1.jpg

[lilian]

Cuda is now painted and waiting for a new wiring harness

got her Hotchkis rear leaf springs and Koni shocks. still undecided with what to do on the front suspension

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/01/0043-1.jpg
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https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/01/0072-1.jpg

next engine will be painted hemi orange !!
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[Bryce]

Just get the matching hotchkis front suspension. There cuda handles great.