calling all Cuda fanatics

[jeff-san]

I am looking for some help. Are there reference books or websites that can help in deciphering Mopars...specifically 70-71 Cudas? Vin #'s and how to spot fakes or rebodies....what to look for etc., etc. I am on the prowl and I'd like to be able to pull the trigger when I find the right car.

thanks in advance,

Jeff

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I know where a real Cuda that has a real Hemi is going to be at an auction this weekend.The car has had one repaint,and the block is not the original but is date code correct.Car is Orange,with white interior and is a factory auto car.It will be in Kema Texas for a big show and auction this weekend.If it does not sale I will get a number to the owner for you and you can talk to him.I just got to see it a few minutes ago and it looked really nice.The owner has owned it for the past 10 years.It was on a roll back wrecker.If I could afford it,she would have been dropped off at my house! LOL The owner stopped by my friends shop to show it to him on the way to Kema and I was there visiting my friend and his son.I have no clue as to what he is wanting for it ,I knew I could not afford it so I did not ask for a price.Sure was a pretty car though!

Bobby Dodson

[jeff-san]

thanks Bobby. I am also looking for an expert that knows where to look for body stampings, casting codes and dates, etc., etc. If I find the right car, unless it already has Galien paperwork, I want to know myself what to look for without having to involve too many people and blowing a good deal....sad but it's happened before.

thanks again for the tip. let me know if the car doesnt sell, I'd be interested in learning more on it.

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I know exactly what you are talking about.I am not sure about any documents etc on this car as I said I briefly looked at it and had to get a rag to catch the drool! LOL It is a pretty nice car.I will let you know if it sells or not.Galien is the Guru when it comes to Mopars but I am sure there are some others that can give you some good ideas on what and where to look.I know absolutely nothing about Hemi cars except I do know what a Hemi engine looks like!LOL

Bobby

[71-LS6]

Jeff, I started to list 5 locations to look for VIN #s, but after popping the hood open on mine, and looking, I may need to refresh my memory also, try these out though. The VIN:BS23R0B + 000001
B= Barracuda
H,P,S= high, premium, or special price class. usually an H/S
23 or 27= coupe or convert
R= Hemi engine
0 or 1= 1970 or 1971
B or E= Assy plant, Hamtramack or Los Angeles
ending with a 6 digit number
Complete VINS =
1) Dash VIN ( bottom of windshield on dash )
2) fender tag ( driver's fender )
3) Door sticker ( driver's door )
4) The build sheet ( many are missing, but when found, are on the trunk side of the back seat )

Partial VINS
5) This one is the hardest to fake, look under the hood on top of the firewall. Locate the driver's side wiper pivot and the driver's side fresh air intake screen. THE LAST EIGHT CHARACTERS of the VIN will be stamped in a row from front to back just to the driver's side of the fresh air screen. I just looked at mine, and the O&B are transposed but still followed by the last 6 digits of the VIN.
6) The last partial #, I'm not sure on this one, may be on the radiator core support. All of my Challengers have had them unless they had had previous collision repair.

One last item that fakers may forget, or botch, are the torque boxes. These were 4 steel plates, 2 welded between the rear spring hangers and the rear floor boards and 2 welded between the front floor boards, the frame, the bottom of the inner fender, and the outside lower edge of the body. Good luck.