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| 1971 Hemi Cuda (Page 1/4) |
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htexans1
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JUL 29, 03:29 PM
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I ran into a "real" (documented) Hemi Cuda. It has 90,000 miles or so, not to bad (restorable)
but the rub: No 426 Hemi or Shaker hood, both of which the build sheet have on it. Does this hurt the value?
How difficult is it to get a replacement? The current owner put in a 340 with 6 pack. While fast, its no Hemi. 
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crashyoung
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JUL 29, 03:49 PM
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Not worth a damn, better give it to me for disposal...
Hope you plan on restoring it!
A buddy of mine had one, I have many great memories I wish I could recall from that era...
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htexans1
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JUL 29, 04:46 PM
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Yes, the plan is to restore it back to its appearance and the way it was delivered in 1971.
(Some concessions may be made for brakes that are modern, etc, and A/C which wasn't offered with the 426 as far as I know)
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htexans1
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JUL 29, 07:00 PM
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PICS!
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rogergarrison
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JUL 29, 08:20 PM
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You can buy new crate Hemis again now, but theyre over $10,000. All the Hemis clear back into the 50s look pretty much the same, so you can find say an old 59-60 model 392 Hemi and install it and no one would know except an expert. They came in 312, 32?, 36?. 392 and 426 cu in. The early ones were called Firedome instead of Hemi. They make repo shaker hoods now. The only problem with those are they fit much better than the real OEM ones. Real ones are always bowed up in the middle at the fenders, even as much as an inch and judges know to look for that. The factory didnt reinforce them like repos are. I did one for a guy a few years ago. I put cuts along the bottom edges at the center, put styrofoam blocks on the fenderwells cut to shape. Then put new fiberglass cloth over the edges and slammed the hood shut tite till it cured. abracadabra....OEM bad fitting hood. 
I guess the very most valuable Cudas are 1970, Orange, Hemi, 4 spd, convertibles. The combination makes it extremely rare...like 1/2 dozen manufactured. The 340 Six Pack cars are just as fast though  Street Hemi is pretty high maintanence, worse thing being constant valve adjustment.[This message has been edited by rogergarrison (edited 07-29-2012).]
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Formula88
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JUL 29, 11:41 PM
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IMO, without the original engine, even with an OEM style engine it's still not going to be worth what an original would be. It would be worth more than a clone. How much more is hard to say.
Originality is the holy grail of classic cars. There are so many recreations and "tribute" cars out there now that anyone can recreate any "rare" car on just about anything. This may drive up the original prices, but price will likely drop fast for anything unoriginal on it.
Then again, take any '69 Firebird and paint it white with blue stripes and it apparently becomes a Trans Am worth $50,000. At least according to some sellers I've seen.  
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HoMiE_TeLeFrAgGeD
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JUL 30, 11:03 AM
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340 6paks are a pretty stout little motor. They used those in the Challenger T/As and AAR Cudas. Very durable and quick! But, as you said not as quick as a hemi and not as sought after.
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rogergarrison
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JUL 30, 05:47 PM
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Theres quite a few special parts on a 69 TA that arent on a Firebird and if you find the correct ones, they cost a bunch.
Ive had 340 cars,and a 69 cuda and a Valiant with a 426 Hemi. The 340 was just as fast and outhandled the Hemi. The Hemis advantage was IF you got it to hook up, it was much faster off the line because of the torque. The Hemi was super heavy cast iron. I dont know any engine that outweighs it.
Ya, not being original does hurt any classic, but if your driving it and going to cruise ins for fun...who cares. There was a show Sunday I went to and there were 2 all original 68 Pontiac GTOs (12000 and 14000 miles, same owner), and a 69 SuperBee with 23000 miles. All 3 were completely original except for tires and batteries. The Super Bee was even bought from an 80 yo lady by the present 2nd owner. I never seen a white SB before either. I have a friend who has a 69 Coronet convertible he bought for himself brand new in 1969. Hes gone thru it and restored everything on it though. Still looks new though.
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2farnorth
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JUL 30, 10:50 PM
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Rick 88
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JUL 31, 08:14 PM
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I'm not Mopar expert but that car has an AAR Cuda hood. I believe these hoods are fiberglass. The only engine that came on a Cuda with that hood was the 340 Six Pack. All the hemi cuda's I have seen have a steel hood with a shaker. What kind of documentation does the seller have?
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