Unique Performance Cuda

[RobM]

a cheep muscle car.... well sort of... is a V8 s10. take one 2 wd s10 that costs you 400$ then ad another 4000 in parts and you have a pretty fun little truck. Another would be an old cop car that’s a fun car you can fit the whole family in talk about a nice touring car! late 70s-late 80's f bodies are also nice. there are so many cheep pro-touring candidates out there you just have to be creative. Lets just say i have a secret project in the works that may not be the wildest thing out there but it will still kick alot of ass for under 7 grand total

[BlazerSpeed]

hey don't go telling everyone about what you can do with an S-series...i like the fact that most people still don't give my truck a second look. haha ill change my attitude when its time to sell it though
-DereK-

[96Z28SS]

Still waiting for spy photo.

[fvike]

It's not fair to qualify it like that (regarding the fastbacks).. the FACT is that you can still get mustang coupes for cheap.. I can buy decent running coupes all day For less than $3k.. Fastbacks are expensive cause not many were made in relation to coupes..

I would be like saying "you can still get 1st gen Camaros cheap" and someone replys.. "well maybe plain janes but those RS/SS prices are out of sight!!"

See what I mean?

Unique buys total basket cases for as cheap as they can get them..

I think we all know that Fastbacks are more popular then the coupes because of the looks. That is a big factor when it comes to pricing. Would Eleanor be the big hit it was, if it was a hardtop? I doubt it.
If your goal is to rebuild a Mustang into a pro touring car, most would want to build a Fastback. What does it then help if the coupe is dirt cheap?

A plain jane Camaro is still the same car as the RS/SS when it's down to the bare metal. The Coupe and the Fastback isn't.

[10Seconds]

Well, by Unique buying the basket cases it effectively takes them off the market, same as if they were sent to the crusher because once they are finished with them they are priced out of reach for the average guy. And as the real basket cases get used up, then more desireable cars will be used. Simple economics tell us that as supply decreases, price increases assuming demand stays constant. And demand has been increasing which will result in prices really going up.

Also, I know they claim to use basket cases, but having seen some of the cars waiting for transformation, I know that some of these "basket cases" are really restorable cars that many would love to build.

I would love to build a Mustang fastback. But the price for getting started is $10,000 and that's a start that will require a lot of bodywork. Because of the people like Unique, everyone that has such a project fastback now thinks that their basket case is worth a whole lot more. "Hey if the finished car is worth $100,000, then my rusted out shell with no floorboards has to be worth $15,000"

[syborg tt]

hey don't go telling everyone about what you can do with an S-series...i like the fact that most people still don't give my truck a second look. haha ill change my attitude when its time to sell it though
-DereK-

i've been a big fan of the s10's for your years.

www.syborgtwinturbo.com

i've got two in the works right now and i'm looking to start a third.

[phonedude_mln]

I think we all know that Fastbacks are more popular then the coupes because of the looks. That is a big factor when it comes to pricing. Would Eleanor be the big hit it was, if it was a hardtop? I doubt it.
If your goal is to rebuild a Mustang into a pro touring car, most would want to build a Fastback. What does it then help if the coupe is dirt cheap?

A plain jane Camaro is still the same car as the RS/SS when it's down to the bare metal. The Coupe and the Fastback isn't.

the styling is subjective, but the 64.5 - 66 coupes outsold fastbacks ~ 8:1. assuming equal desirability and equal survival rates, you could
expect an 8x price multiplier. in practice, I think the fastback:coupe
multiplier is more like 2x - 4x, at least for 64.5 - 66.

also, relative to camaros, it is important to remember that in 64.5 - 66 Ford sold > 1.2 *million* mustangs (and ~800k in 67-68).

compare that with the ~675k total camaros sold in 67-69. while not
strictly an apples-to-apples comparison, if you're looking for a clean project or just a nice driver, you have ~ 3x more mustangs (64.5-68) to choose from as camaros (67-69).

sources:
http://www.midcomustang.com/production.shtml
http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...oprodnums.html

[High Plains Mopars]

The 70's and 80's cars will be the next 69 camaro's.

Don't bet on it. A post 72 anything is evaluated as garbage by most folks wanting to get in the muscle car game. Case in point, a 74 Cuda big block conversion will sell for $10-12k. The same 70 version is twice that price.

While the 70-80s car can be had cheap, and are realtively speaking, plentiful, they lack the aura that makes people want to go out and collect them. If your going to rekindle memories, are you going to get what you remember was the baddest car in the high school parking lot or an emissions choked, half the horsepower reminder of discoteques and 19% mortagage rates.

[gchandler]

A car built with passion will inspire passion. A car is not a classic because of its age. I don't think that many of the cars built in the 70's and 80's inspire the same sort of passion that the cars of the 50's and 60's do.

I think that I am a fair judge of this as I was not born until '79 so I don't have any actual, remember when they used to..., types of memories of different cars. I can only judge the cars based on design and performance potential.

One car that I will, however, make an exception for is the Buick Regal/Chevrolet Monte Carlo/Oldsmobile Cutlass. If it were not for the smog regulations of my home state of California, I would love to build one of these cars. I considered picking up a diesel and doing it that way, diesels are not smogged in California, but finding one in good shape is quite a task.

[JohnnyGMachine]

You know guys - I didn't drive anyhting 72 or older in high school because the cars to have when i was in high school from 86-90 was either a 5.0 Mustang or a 3rd gen Z/28-IROC. There were maybe 1 or 2 mid 70's Camaros, maybe 1 malibu or a classic muscle car but the lot was dominated by the above mentioned mid to late 80s cars. They were cheap fast fun! THAT'S what I remember from high school and those are the type of cars that appeal to the enthusiasts my age (30-35 range). It's just a matter of time before you see a mint condition unrestored 1987 Mustang GT or a 1987 IROC Camaro go down the Barrett Jackson lane. It may take awhile but as long as guys keep cutin' up, and modifying classic muscle there's gonna be a time when you just about won't be able to get your hands on a '69 Camaro or a '68 mustang. So then you start looking at alternatives. I think second gen Camaros are gonna skyrocket in demand in the very near future because they're more affordable and obtainable for the budget-minded guy wanting to build a custom or restore a classic Camaro. Plus the age of that guy gets younger and they don't remember seeing 50s and 60s cars in their high school parking lot, it'd be 70's Camaros. Anyways, yeah I'd rather be cruising around in a trick 1968 Mustang fastback but my memories go back to the late 80's lusting after a 5.0 Mustang coupe boiling the tires outta the school lot. Plus right now I can scoop up 3-4 of these in great shape even with mods for what a stock fixer upper '68 Mustang fastback would run me.
I guess my point is (sorry to wander here) eventually certain late 70's and 80's cars will become classics, atleast that's what I think. No an 80's 5.0 stang won't bring the same memories of a 55 Chevy, they'll have their own. It just depends who you're talking to whether it's someone who was 16 in 1967 or if it's somebody who was 16 in 1987.
Remember when 1st gen pony cars were a dime a dozen and nobody thought they'd be worth anythign especially during the gas shortage - used car dealerships couldn't give 'em away.

John

[fvike]

the styling is subjective, but the 64.5 - 66 coupes outsold fastbacks ~ 8:1. assuming equal desirability and equal survival rates, you could
expect an 8x price multiplier. in practice, I think the fastback:coupe
multiplier is more like 2x - 4x, at least for 64.5 - 66.

also, relative to camaros, it is important to remember that in 64.5 - 66 Ford sold > 1.2 *million* mustangs (and ~800k in 67-68).

compare that with the ~675k total camaros sold in 67-69. while not
strictly an apples-to-apples comparison, if you're looking for a clean project or just a nice driver, you have ~ 3x more mustangs (64.5-68) to choose from as camaros (67-69).

sources:
http://www.midcomustang.com/production.shtml
http://www.yearone.com/updatedsingle...oprodnums.html

Ok, what I'm saying is that if you then want the Fastback, (comparing them to Camaros) you have (for 65-66) 1/8 x 3 cars to choose from contra one Camaro. Now, I'm not great at maths, but that would be 0,375 Fastback Mustangs per 1 Camaro. Or 3,75 per 10. Not apples to apples again, as I'm leaving out the '67-'68 Fastbacks, but those who want them got it even worse due to the Eleanor craze.

Anyway, these are stupid numbers, and bottom line is; Fastback Mustangs are getting expencive, contra the Coupes. Of course, there are more Mustangs than Camaros, but perhaps not more Fastbacks than Camaros. It really doesn't matter dough, crate cars are here.

[kmcanally]

Still waiting for spy photo.

OK, here they are...

[kmcanally]

Here is a convertible Eleanor sitting next to the Cuda....They have another Cuda that looked to be in final metal work a couple of months ago so it may be painted and in final assembly. Maybe this one was just for parts...or it could eventually be Foose/Unique Cuda #2?

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...e/IMG_0751.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...e/IMG_0749.jpg

[stealth71]

I can't see emissions being a big problem just slap an LS7 in there.

[Bob Johnson]

Here is a convertible Eleanor sitting next to the Cuda....They have another Cuda that looked to be in final metal work a couple of months ago so it may be painted and in final assembly. Maybe this one was just for parts...or it could eventually be Foose/Unique Cuda #2?

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...e/IMG_0751.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c4...e/IMG_0749.jpg

is anyone on this site impressed with stance, engineering, quality etc. of the Unique Built Cars? Is there a "bang for the buck" in their products? Has anyone seen one of their cars on a road course or any handling competition? I saw one of their Mustangs at Commerce after they challenged Year One's blue Cammer Mustang and made derogatory remarks about Georgians. I was pis*ed but still felt embarrased for Unique..my AMC powered 66 Rambler Wagon would blow the doors off their Mustang...

[Boyd]

is anyone on this site impressed with stance, engineering, quality etc. of the Unique Built Cars?

A friend of mine went to work in their body shop about a year after they first opened their doors. After six months of being told not to worry about "that little spot of rust", or "the way that panel fits" or "we'll just shoot an extra coat of filler/primer", or "just wipe some more plastic on it" (you get my point) He quit. He's told me some crazy stories.I think they sub out the body work now to a shop in Vegas, but from what I've seen at shows, with the same results.

[woody80z28]

Somewhat on-topic, somewhat off-topic:

I picked up my 80 because it was CHEAP. And it's a great bang for your buck car. Granted I'd love to have a 69, but cheap guys like me get to do something different. By this spring I'll have a 400hp fully-assembled drivable car with a 4spd that's loads of fun to drive... all for $5000. Sounds like a good deal to me.

[kmcanally]

A friend of mine went to work in their body shop about a year after they first opened their doors. After six months of being told not to worry about "that little spot of rust", or "the way that panel fits" or "we'll just shoot an extra coat of filler/primer", or "just wipe some more plastic on it" (you get my point) He quit. He's told me some crazy stories.I think they sub out the body work now to a shop in Vegas, but from what I've seen at shows, with the same results.

I also read somewhere that they were doing the body work in Vegas, but these pics were taken in North Dallas not from from there main facility in Farmers Branch. In addtion to these cars seen outside you can see about 10 cars in progress (all body work) on the inside. Plus I see rack mounted bodies being moved in and out on trucks carrying the Unique logo.

Regarding the quality of the work I have seen some of their cars where the quality and panel fit does not match the price. Don't get me wrong they were not exactly junk by any means....but for $100k+ I would expect and demand nothing short of perfection.

I think part of their problem is that they loose a certain amount of quality because of the production line aspect of their operation. It is not possible for their cars to get the same attention to fit and detail as a Rad-Rides car that is equally expensive. Besides who wants to spend that kind of dime on a car that is not in anyway "unique"? Obviously someone because they apparently can not build them fast enough.

[kmcanally]

is anyone on this site impressed with stance, engineering, quality etc. of the Unique Built Cars? Is there a "bang for the buck" in their products? Has anyone seen one of their cars on a road course or any handling competition? I saw one of their Mustangs at Commerce after they challenged Year One's blue Cammer Mustang and made derogatory remarks about Georgians. I was pis*ed but still felt embarrased for Unique..my AMC powered 66 Rambler Wagon would blow the doors off their Mustang...

Hey Bob....there is no bang for the buck, just a way overpriced hot rod. But you can hardly blame them since they have obviously found a market for their product at its price point and quality level. Maybe the majority of the people spending $100k+ for their cars just do not know any better. I doubt a real car guy in the know would spend that much for a restored regular old Mustang with a gaudy (IMO) body kit and a crate motor. I am constantly amazed at the power inteligent marketing has over product quality. And most of their marketing was delivered free of charge by crappy movie.

I am embarassed for anyone that lets their mouth do their talking...especially when the the people listening know the real truth.

[Bob Johnson]

Hey Bob....there is no bang for the buck, just a way overpriced hot rod. But you can hardly blame them since they have obviously found a market for their product at its price point and quality level. Maybe the majority of the people spending $100k+ for their cars just do not know any better. I doubt a real car guy in the know would spend that much for a restored regular old Mustang with a gaudy (IMO) body kit and a crate motor. I am constantly amazed at the power inteligent marketing has over product quality. And most of their marketing was delivered free of charge by crappy movie.

I am embarassed for anyone that lets their mouth do their talking...especially when the the people listening know the real truth.

I wonder how Foose feels about the Foose/Unique Camaro.... quality, looks, etc of it?
I heard runors that I won't repeat since I didn't hear it from the horses mouth..You are absolutely correct about marketing vs quality in selling a product. I haven't seen anything that impressed me that was built to sell for a profit. It will be very interesting to see what the Motion Camaro, Unique Camaro, the Unique 350 Mustang etc bring at Barrett Jackson in Jan. Now that's the power of marketing in it's finest hour..Barnum and Bailey move over..you too Ringling Bros..the real circus has arrived..Under the BBBIIIGGG TTTOOOPPP. Holy shi* have you seen that tent..put a dragster in it run the quarter...and stop inside the tent. Unbelievable..like The Worlds Fair..bigger and better each year..like a runaway freight train..no stoppin it..What a job Steve Davis has done there. Ol Craig is quite the promotor too.