70 Cuda 340 3spd

[MotG]

Finally got the car in my possession and starting with cleaning and categorizing what I have. A little back story, I got the Cuda from my father. He’s had it in storage since 1987. It’s a 340 3 speed car that currently has a 440 and 4 speed. I’m going back to the 340/3spd.

I’m about to take out the carpet to get photos prior to starting to speak with shops to complete the body work. I’m expecting it to need a quarter, Dutchman, partial roof, trunk lid and I already have a new trunk floor for it. Will also need a trans tunnel from having the floor cut for a b-body 4speed in it.

The 340 has at least 111000 miles and before it came out ran great but burned oil. Hoping I can have it minimally machined and toss in forged pistons, rods, purple cam, etc.

After I get about a billion photos of current condition inside and out I have to start speaking with shops about the body work and a machine shop. Trying to stay within reason to central/eastern North Carolina so I can drop in and such.

I’m fortunate to have a lot of parts from another Cuda my dad had in the past. This was the first car he ever bought and I’d love to have this car back on the road. I’ll keep photos of progress coming.

 

[fasjac]

Neat project and cool story. Back in the early 80’s u bought a 73 Cuda that was born with a 340 3 speed. Unfortunately the seller didn’t have the motor but, the 3 speed was there. If the original 340 would have been there, i would have restored it to original.
But, I built it my way. 440 4 speed etc ,
and it wasn’t a 70 model. Which I really was looking for.
I don’t think the production numbers were very high on this combo. Don’t know for sure, you don’t hear about them often.
Look forward to your progress!

 

[MoparCarGuy]

Looks like 1,872 Cuda Hardtops (BS23) with 340-4BBL and the 3-Speed manual transmission for 1970.

 

[MotG]

Got all the carpet out to check the floors. I was pleasantly surprised. They’re much better than expected. I already knew I needed a transmission bump so I’m happy to see the condition.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

That is a good looking floor.
Looks like the hump will only need a small piece of another hump, easy fix.
Original F8 car?
Black interior with a cyclops cluster.

Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken but isn't that steering wheel an A93 lowest cost steering wheel and wouldn't have come on this BS23H0 (B,E) ?

Doesn't get better than your fathers first car and being a cuda !!
Since it was your fathers and it was purchased so long ago, does he happen to have any of the original factory documentation from the car?
Will follow along.

 

[MotG]

It’s an H6F8 car. Green interior. And indeed the Cyclops cluster. Pretty sure that’s the original steering wheel. I have another in blue from his other BS23 he had.

I have some paperwork but no original purchase documents. The build sheet didn’t survive so I’m gonna have to source that for later entertainment.

He was the third owner when he bought it mid 70’s for a whopping $900. I appreciate the comments and support. Still a long road ahead.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

Does it retain it's fender tag?
Can't make a broadcast sheet.

 

[MotG]

Does it retain it's fender tag?
Can't make a broadcast sheet.

That is unfortunate.

 

[fasjac]

Got all the carpet out to check the floors. I was pleasantly surprised. They’re much better than expected. I already knew I needed a transmission bump so I’m happy to see the condition.

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Yea, floors do look like they will be ok after clean up. That’s great. To bad some cut on and around the shifter hole but, easy fix there.
Keep us updated

 

[MoparCarGuy]

That is a good looking floor.
Looks like the hump will only need a small piece of another hump, easy fix.
Original F8 car?
Black interior with a cyclops cluster.

Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken but isn't that steering wheel an A93 lowest cost steering wheel and wouldn't have come on this BS23H0 (B,E) ?

Doesn't get better than your fathers first car and being a cuda !!
Since it was your fathers and it was purchased so long ago, does he happen to have any of the original factory documentation from the car?
Will follow along.

In one of the floor pan photos you can see that he has removed the lace-on steering wheel cover and the woodgrain is now showing. Looks to be the standard Barracuda/Cuda steering wheel.

That front passenger footwell has holes in the floorpan. Consider welding in a new section.

 

[MotG]

In one of the floor pan photos you can see that he has removed the lace-on steering wheel cover and the woodgrain is now showing. Looks to be the standard Barracuda/Cuda steering wheel.

That front passenger footwell has holes in the floorpan. Consider welding in a new section.

Will add it to the list. Thank you very much.

 

[Cuda Hunter]

That is unfortunate.

You can however get close. Use the decoder and sheet generator over on ebodies. org.

1970 mopar build sheet broadcast decoder

1970 mopar build sheet broadcast decoder

decoder.e-bodies.org

 

[Cuda Hunter]

In one of the floor pan photos you can see that he has removed the lace-on steering wheel cover and the woodgrain is now showing. Looks to be the standard Barracuda/Cuda steering wheel.

I see that now. Not the A93 wheel but a wood grain. Thanks.