G-Force Cuda

[Steve Chryssos]

I just got my new PHR and I am blown away by the g-Forece cuda coverage. I think it's time to stop talking about Bob Johnson's colon and start taslking about the damn car. So with that I start a new thread. I do so only because I wonder if some will bother to weed thru 50 pages to find the good stuff.

This is NOT another philosophical pro-touring debate, but rather a discussion about a car and its affect on the hot rodding scene in general. Discussion.
Here's how I see it. The general hot rod scene has been dominated by the core Boyd Coddington influence. What might that be? It's the "carved fom a single block" style that has persisted well since the early nineties--and there's nothing wrong with that. Thos who have followed either branched off from that core concept (i.e. Rad Rods) or rebelled entirely (i.e. the Rat Rod)

I'm talkin about body color floorboards and firewalls that are contrasted by shiny billet everything. Engines are hidden by custom, one of a kind covers. If you are not sure what I mean. Look at any of the last few SMOY winners. Roy Pigford's Chevy II is a great example. And a great car.

Stop here and re-read the above. I have not complained, bitched or whined. I simply established a baseline. I'm wondering if the G-Force 'cuda is just another car? Or is it something more? The car breaks that mold with it's design, use of materials, use of colors and finishes and--hopefully with its performance. I really have no doubt that the car will perform. That's because I get the sense that if the g-Force cuda cannot get out of its own way, Bob Johnson will have Alan Johnson (no relation) keep leaning on it until it does perform.

So does this car, with it's coated aluminum firewall, exposed tubing chassis, and functional NA hemi, present a an opportunity for a new era? One where function is beautiful--not something to be hidden by covers? The car has BROWN wheels! How can that possibly be cool? By making that brown loo like some sort of otherworldly unobtanium material. That's how.

I hope that Bob, Alan and all involved can stop by and tell us more about the thought process that evloved during the design and construction of the car. And I, for one, hope that this car does usher in an new era of functional style regardless of the year make or model of the vehicle.



Thanks for building this car you guys

[Bob Johnson]

A million thanks Steve. We wanted to break into unchartered territory.. stimulate the minds of fellow enthusiast to go beyond what others have done..break the mold so to speak. I think we have done this. We have all the naysayer jealous types that don't want to accept it because they can't afford it. Just look the car over close.. there are ideas everywhere that you can put to use.. or something cheaper but similar..These same guys will go look at the concept vehicles at the new car shows and drool over them but they don't like to see their counterparts have something they can't afford. You can't make everyone happy. This Cuda has made a lot of people happy and for that I am glad. The balance of them need professional help and I can't do anything about that but wish them happiness in their sad lives.

[Steve1968LS2]

The car was certainly an inspiration for me.. while I don't have the bank to duplicate almost any of the trick components I did get a feel for a world without chrome and without polished bits. Where parts look like they went from the mill to the car.

A very cool car and definetly a trendsetter in many many ways

[speedster]

FACT - It takes money to implement many new ideas and designs. Most people think that everything can be done on the cheap, and in cases it can, but don't think that corporate America spends billions of dollars on R&D for the ***** of it.

This is also the case with Bob's Cuda. People may bitch and whine because they can't afford it, but then again very few can afford the top vehicles out there. But the ideas that the investment allows you to implement shows up in spades on the Cuda. The other part that gives me a woodie is that this is going to be driven and driven hard. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for show cars. But the Cuda is a people's car; a driver. Very real, very trick and very functional. Heck, look at the titanium brakes. Very pricey, but I didn't even know they existed. But like anything else, this exposes the technologiy to more people. As more people get interested, the price comes down and thus be more affordable for the masses. Someone has to take the plunge initially, Bob through Alan and the Cuda did just this. This is a change. A shift. I think for the better.

[Big $$$]

I've told people the same thing ya'll (sorry I'm from Austin Tx) have. I think rods become like wine and tastes are aquired over the years... My taste level in cars really started to peak when I became open minded. People say "Ima Ford guy" Ima Chevy guy" "Ima import guy" but I wish everyone was really more open minded. These types of builds are really all that stand out to me any more. It kinda sux too becaue I was hoping to be the first to add European style bezels, Ferrari type under body aerodynamics and such, but still it's cool that it was done. When I started looking at Bentleys and Mercedez my taste levels became like a fine wine. I wish more people would look at these builds to get ideas... Now when I go to a car show 99.9 percent of the vehicles don't even phase me, this stuff still does. Even a guy on a budget could get a 71 Cuda, bag it and put the same type of wheels and have the same paint job. If yer gonna run with the big boys do what they do... I think it's a time to get rodding out of the box ...

[Doug Cooper]

The wheels are painted to match the look of hard anodizing.
Alan wanted to hard anodize them but the finish wasn't uniform, it was blotchy. He matched that look in a painted finish, pretty cool looking.

The entire theme is industrial/aircraft finishes.

[mopork]

Well, I don't care what anyone else thinks that car is total BAD ASS Good Job Bob NOW :3gears:

[vanzuuk1]

I love the car, its one of my all time favorites.

The cuda was concieved like a concept car and there is as much thought into the texture as there is the color. Its a break from the "chrome on chrome" look, thankfully. There have been steps in this direction before (chicayne, pure vision), but this car took it to "eleven".

This hobby is getting "smarter" , for lack of better word, because of cars like this.The fact that Bob is discussing taking the car out for a beating is even cooler.

Not many of can build a car like this but it will inspire people to do something unique. You dont need money to be creative, there was guy a few years back building metric choppers and he used all kinds of spray can colors to get cool shades of bronze and gunmetal. He scotchbrited aluminum parts and mixed finishes to stand out from the airbrush/clearcoat crowd.

I also thought that there was a little "science fiction" feel to the cuda, for lack of a better description.

Its going to be a while before a car makes this much impact on the hobby, if ever.

[Big $$$]

These are the type of vehicles that make a Lamborghini look like a wall flower

[shmoov69]

Amazing car. Nice article too!
I got a Q though about the wheels. What is the line going from the center cap to the wheel in some of the pics?

[Damn True]

Amazing car. Nice article too!
I got a Q though about the wheels. What is the line going from the center cap to the wheel in some of the pics?

Safety wire.

[BRIAN]

The problem is the majority of guys at US based car shows look for the flash of paint and chrome. For years the cars didn't even have to actually drive, just look good. Let's hope the chrome undercarriages and mirrors as hood liners are gone. But by the looks of all the cars with 22" chrome wheels do not expect a quick change.


I actually would rather look at the so called Rat Rod as you can see innovative ways to do things that as a whole make a cool ride rather than that one big dollar billet piece.


That Cuda is a sweet looking car and I can't wait to see it in person. I guess I look at it the other way in that it is the best of the best and why be jealous? If I can build a ride for a 10nth of that money that gets a secound glance at the same show I am happy. You got the money spend it as you see fit.


As far as Boyd goes I honestly feel if it wasn't for him we wouldn't be where we are today with the levl of cars being built. I do not care about TV shows or his quality today. Everybody peaks in their respective field. A lot of talented guys have come out of his shops. Read any pre Boyd magazine and all you saw were Moroso valve covers and Centerline wheels.

By the way the wire is to hold the K/O from backing off....At least that is what I think it is for???

[Bob Johnson]

The car was certainly an inspiration for me.. while I don't have the bank to duplicate almost any of the trick components I did get a feel for a world without chrome and without polished bits. Where parts look like they went from the mill to the car.

A very cool car and definetly a trendsetter in many many ways

accolades from anyone are nice..but from someone that knows his stuff, that makes it real special...

[Bob Johnson]

FACT - It takes money to implement many new ideas and designs. Most people think that everything can be done on the cheap, and in cases it can, but don't think that corporate America spends billions of dollars on R&D for the ***** of it.

This is also the case with Bob's Cuda. People may bitch and whine because they can't afford it, but then again very few can afford the top vehicles out there. But the ideas that the investment allows you to implement shows up in spades on the Cuda. The other part that gives me a woodie is that this is going to be driven and driven hard. Don't get me wrong, there is a place for show cars. But the Cuda is a people's car; a driver. Very real, very trick and very functional. Heck, look at the titanium brakes. Very pricey, but I didn't even know they existed. But like anything else, this exposes the technologiy to more people. As more people get interested, the price comes down and thus be more affordable for the masses. Someone has to take the plunge initially, Bob through Alan and the Cuda did just this. This is a change. A shift. I think for the better.

I love to see a guy do super cool stuff on the cheap..and it isn't easy..you don't see many innovative ideas that are done on the cheap but when you do, it excites you. But I also want to see what an experienced creative imagination can accomplish with unlimited funds and boundless talent. My Camaro had some super neat ideas in it..ie the air cleaner built into the cowl on the hood..the 17 gallon custom fuel tank Alan built under the package tray in the front of the trunk that connected to the lower factory gas tank with a fuel line and petcock. I could keep 110 or ? in the top tank and add 2 or whatever gallons just by opening the valve and let it drain into the lower tank to blend the octane and get a little lead in the gas. neat trick when you have a motor that's on the edge of detonating and need a little boost in octane. I drove the whole Power Tour without having to look for race gas. The all aluminum Donovan ran great the whole way too.

[speedster]

Hey Bob -
Sometime in your busy schedule, could you post or send me a couple of pics of that dual tank setup. I was thinking of somehow tying a 2-5 gallon tank into the main tank and you already did it. Cool. That was on the black '69? I will have to go dig around and see if I can find that issue. TIA.

[Bob Johnson]

I've told people the same thing ya'll (sorry I'm from Austin Tx) have. I think rods become like wine and tastes are aquired over the years... My taste level in cars really started to peak when I became open minded. People say "Ima Ford guy" Ima Chevy guy" "Ima import guy" but I wish everyone was really more open minded. These types of builds are really all that stand out to me any more. It kinda sux too becaue I was hoping to be the first to add European style bezels, Ferrari type under body aerodynamics and such, but still it's cool that it was done. When I started looking at Bentleys and Mercedez my taste levels became like a fine wine. I wish more people would look at these builds to get ideas... Now when I go to a car show 99.9 percent of the vehicles don't even phase me, this stuff still does. Even a guy on a budget could get a 71 Cuda, bag it and put the same type of wheels and have the same paint job. If yer gonna run with the big boys do what they do... I think it's a time to get rodding out of the box ...

I have built several Fords..just sold my 69 Camaro..just finished the Cuda..I have a 65 GT 350 Shelby Mustang that I need to build. I'm building a flat nose 930 Turbo Porsche now too. I drive a Rambler Wagon. I like Hondas, Preludes, Lexus, Nissans etc when they are done right..I like Mini Coopers..Jap and Harley motorcycles.. anything done correctly..I agree that anyone who only likes one type or brand of car is missing out on the variety we enjoy.

[Bob Johnson]

that's what it's for..any car with true knock-offs should have to be safety wired to keep the knock off from backing off.

[Bob Johnson]

Hey Bob -
Sometime in your busy schedule, could you post or send me a couple of pics of that dual tank setup. I was thinking of somehow tying a 2-5 gallon tank into the main tank and you already did it. Cool. That was on the black '69? I will have to go dig around and see if I can find that issue. TIA.

look under the dse closeout thread posted under this same group. There is a link to a picture of the trunk and the tank..we put the radio amplifiers on the face of it in the trunk. you can see the gas cap and inlet neck on the top of the tank..the petcock and gas line is on the left side and goes thru the trunk floor to the factory tank. We ran the direct port nitrous off the high octane gas exclusively. If you ran 100 octane you could just leave the petcock open and have 34+ gallons of fuel capacity. It really didn't adversely affect the trunk space that much since it was on the front ledge.

[Bob Johnson]

The problem is the majority of guys at US based car shows look for the flash of paint and chrome. For years the cars didn't even have to actually drive, just look good. Let's hope the chrome undercarriages and mirrors as hood liners are gone. But by the looks of all the cars with 22" chrome wheels do not expect a quick change.


I actually would rather look at the so called Rat Rod as you can see innovative ways to do things that as a whole make a cool ride rather than that one big dollar billet piece.


That Cuda is a sweet looking car and I can't wait to see it in person. I guess I look at it the other way in that it is the best of the best and why be jealous? If I can build a ride for a 10nth of that money that gets a secound glance at the same show I am happy. You got the money spend it as you see fit.


As far as Boyd goes I honestly feel if it wasn't for him we wouldn't be where we are today with the levl of cars being built. I do not care about TV shows or his quality today. Everybody peaks in their respective field. A lot of talented guys have come out of his shops. Read any pre Boyd magazine and all you saw were Moroso valve covers and Centerline wheels.

By the way the wire is to hold the K/O from backing off....At least that is what I think it is for???

You are absolutely correct about Boyd..he was the man in his day. Lots of innovation came out of that shop "in the day"..

[Bob Johnson]

The problem is the majority of guys at US based car shows look for the flash of paint and chrome. For years the cars didn't even have to actually drive, just look good. Let's hope the chrome undercarriages and mirrors as hood liners are gone. But by the looks of all the cars with 22" chrome wheels do not expect a quick change.


I actually would rather look at the so called Rat Rod as you can see innovative ways to do things that as a whole make a cool ride rather than that one big dollar billet piece.


That Cuda is a sweet looking car and I can't wait to see it in person. I guess I look at it the other way in that it is the best of the best and why be jealous? If I can build a ride for a 10nth of that money that gets a secound glance at the same show I am happy. You got the money spend it as you see fit.


As far as Boyd goes I honestly feel if it wasn't for him we wouldn't be where we are today with the levl of cars being built. I do not care about TV shows or his quality today. Everybody peaks in their respective field. A lot of talented guys have come out of his shops. Read any pre Boyd magazine and all you saw were Moroso valve covers and Centerline wheels.

By the way the wire is to hold the K/O from backing off....At least that is what I think it is for???

The problem with rat rods is that nearly all of the innovations are nostalga driven..not engineering driven..lots of scary stuff on those babies. not made to be driven hard..just look cool..guys on this site seem to be into cars that are driven hard. now rat pro touring as some of these guys are invisioning..that's a different story all together.