need some opinions on 73 cuda

[fordsledpuller1]

hi guys,
i need some opinions on a 73 cuda im looking into buying..... its not anywhere original, it is a 73 wfavtory 318 car, it now has a 383 six pack, also it seems to have been tubbed and im not sure the rear frame is the original.. i want a driver, a car that i can hit the track and drive and have fun with. not one to sit in the garage and be super anal about..... i just wanna see what yoiuy guys think of a cuda that has been modified or "hacked" if you will. super strong car and is about 7 out of 10, with some new chrome and touch up it will make a great fun car.
thanks alot!!

 

[74CudaDave]

You didn't mention price - if you're getting it for $500, then it sounds like a fantastic deal, $30K, not so much. Sounds like you're not into total restorations or trailer queens, so you can accept a car that's been modified - at a reasonable price. AS long as you're not looking to restore down the road, you won't have to worry about numbers matching or spending wads of cash on NOS parts and such. Just make sure you look it over closely, so you're getting what you want. Drive it, make sure you get to hear it run hot AND cold, check for smoke, leaks, get under it yourself if you can, go over it with a weak(soft/round) magnet for bondo spots- make sure you're getting what you want. And make sure that whatever it does need, you can either live with or afford to fix. Then start at the low end of your budget and work up from there.

 

[fordsledpuller1]

Asking 12500. Built 383 six pack. I made my mind up that I want the car.. i had a 73 black on black cuda a few years ago and I was forced to sell... So I have gotta have another come hell or high water . But I've cone to find a decent driver is very hard to come by.. what i am finding is either totally needing restored, floors quarter's and frame rails, or Its a numbers matching gem, which I would love to own but Im to anal to drive it and enjoy It ... So.. the car looks good. I sure. Check It all over.. its an eight hour drive to it, so the trailer is coming with me....this car is tubbed and has aftermarket read frame rails. But thats it.. its still leaf sprung and a complete car... No parts missing or gutted out.of it . O guess I'm just wanting to get away from guys saying what a way to ruin a cuda.. thats why I'm curious to opinions

 

[moparleo]

If it has had major structural work done,eg... frame rails, tubs.. I would want some sort of assurance that it was done professionally in a shop setting by someone experienced in that type of work. I would have it inspected before I laid down the cash. It is never a good idea to rush into something you want so much that you don't find out what you really got intil a week or more later. If you really are concerned about having a reliable car, get one that is stock and you can build it up yourself if you want. At least that way youknow what you really have and that no shortcuts were taken. I would hold off and keep looking. What you want is out there, just be more patient.

 

[fordsledpuller1]

i will have to really look it over.. it seems to be done right.. i was very impressed with the pics of the fabrication work... im a fabricator/cnc programmer for a living so i know good work when i see it.. and all the gaps and things in the rear of the car are even and look good.. i have tried to not rush into anything with buying a car.. i am on about a 13-14k$ budget to have a good running driving nice looking car. which is hard to ask for in a cuda, i know... i would much rather have an all stock style car with a regular v-8 just to cruise in...

 

[fordsledpuller1]

i will have to look it over really well, i was very impressed with the pics of the fabrication work. it seemed to be done clean and not a hack job by no means. im a fabricator/cnc programmer for a living so i know good work when i see it.. i will try not rush anyhting. i am on about a 13-15k$$$ budget for a nice looking running driving cuda, wich is hard to come by, i know. id much rather have a nice stock cuda with skinny tires and a v-8 and then over a few years get some real power uner those original valve covers and air cleaner.

 

[fordsledpuller1]

also just found this one..

http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/3115527419.html

 

[74CudaDave]

Don't worry about 'guys saying what a way to ruin a cuda'. Everyone has an opinion, but with your car it's YOUR opinion that matters most. Hell, paint the thing 3 shades of pink and make it a 4X4, if that's what you want then enjoy it. The whole reason we buy these cars is to have what we want. If we let other people tell us what the car should be, then it's not your car and you're probably not going to enjoy it as much.

 

[moparleo]

No body said 'what a way to ruin a cuda. He said " I need some opinions on a 73 cuda I'm looking into buying. " We are saying it is better to do the mods if he wants them, himself.

 

[fordsledpuller1]

It's sooo hard to find a car In good shape for less than 13k ...

 

[moparleo]

Just like looking for your life partner, hard to find but worth it.

 

[74CudaDave]

No body said 'what a way to ruin a cuda. He said " I need some opinions on a 73 cuda I'm looking into buying. " We are saying it is better to do the mods if he wants them, himself.

Actually, yeah, his second post has the `way to ruin a cuda' in it.

 

[moparleo]

I stand corrected.

 

[quapman]

I'd be more concerned with hidden rust/rot than bad fab work. Bring a magnet and knock on the panels with your knuckle. Also, check the body VINs and make sure they match the dash VIN and title. You sound like you know what you're looking at as far as mechanicals.

$12-13k isn't bad for a car you can drive home. (although, maybe not an 8 hour drive!)

What kind of CNC programming do you do? I've been programming/running VMCs for 25 years.

 

[fordsledpuller1]

i program a messer high def plasma table, also a accu bend hydraulic press brake system... and i also am fully trained and in charge of both machines.. i do alot of sigmanest and autocad work.... i have a pulling truck and a few older hot rod projects as hobbies, so this helps when i decide to fabricate... i dont buy sh%t for new parts.. i hand build everything