'71 Cuda Survivor(ish) Resto

[Snake45]

Sometime around 1992, I bought a bunch of built models from an estate. Of the dozen or so, none was particularly rare in those days, but now, some of the JoHans and '80s MPC reissues are getting a bit scarce and I'm glad I got them. (I didn't pay more than $3-$5 for any of them.)

This Monogram '71 Cuda was among them. It's not super-rare, but it has been a while since we've seen the twin scoop hood version molded in black. Looking for an easy rebuild project, I grabbed this one out of the box deep in the Snakepit. I thought it was probably clear-coated and might clean/polish right up, but close inspection showed I'd be better off stripping it. It turned out to have some kind of black paint over the black plastic—and a good deal of it, too!

Once stripped, I deepened all the door etc. lines, detailed the grille and rear panels, and chromed the window frames with my beloved Silver Sharpie. For the matte black rear panel, I just masked the area off and gave it a squirt of cheap Walmart rattlecan black primer. I glued the front valence on and filled the seams as described in my post “Embossing Powder for Invisible Seams” down in the Tips and Tutorials section. The black plastic body was polished to a nice shine with Wright's Silver Cream. I “rechromed” the bumpers with Rub N Buff.

I didn't do a thing to the interior or chassis, but I did replace the wheels with Rallyes from the wretched Monogram '70 AAR Cuda kit, and the rear tires with the “bigs” from the Monogram '70 Chevelle.

I spent maybe 20 hours on this resto/rebuild, and it doesn't look half bad. I think the original builder would be proud of me. Oh, I just noticed from the photos that I forgot to reinstall the front turn signal/parking lights, and the side rearview mirrors. Sorry, Harry!   

 

 

[Snake45]

Here it is alongside a Johnny Lightning '70 HemiCuda. 

[JTalmage]

Looks great, but needs the side drip rail chrome. 

[TooOld]

Another nice save , well worth the effort to bring it back to life !

[PARTSMARTY]

They look cool and they're mopars !!!

[donb]

 A good looking pair of Mopars!

[Hmann68]

Man, what a difference! I always loved that hood on the Cudas. Not as exotic as the Shaker but stylish. 

[unclescott58]

Both 'cudas look great. 

[Snake45]

7 hours ago, JTalmage said:

Looks great, but needs the side drip rail chrome. 

I didn't realize that would be standard on a '71 Cuda, but if true, it's not more than two minutes' work for Mr. Silver Sharpie. Thanks for the tip. 

[br67]

Nice save there mr snake

[Snake45]

12 hours ago, Hmann68 said:

Man, what a difference! I always loved that hood on the Cudas. Not as exotic as the Shaker but stylish. 

That's kind of what attracted me to the project. You don't see these things built with the twin-scoop hood that often. 

[randyc]

The first photo looks like a Barn Find.   Nice job saving.  

[espo]

Great looking rebuild. You mentioned a Rub N Buff for the bumpers. Is that a product or a process that you use ??  

[El Caballo]

Cool slapper bars.

[Snake45]

3 hours ago, El Caballo said:

Cool slapper bars.

They were on it when I got it, and I just left 'em on. 

[Mr mopar]

Nice save........................ Awesome!

[bbowser]

Your work polishing plastic is amazing.  Nice job.

[Slotto]

Great save Snake!

[Snake45]

On 12/2/2017 at 9:52 AM, bbowser said:

Your work polishing plastic is amazing.  Nice job.

Thanks. I really enjoy polishing plastic and putting it on the shelf next to nice paint. Half the trick is judging WHICH plastic will take a polish without looking like plastic. This has mainly to do with how opaque/non-translucent it is. Not all kit plastic is suitable for one of these jobs. 

[RAMBENNA]

nice work, looks great

 

[DumpyDan]

Looks good

[Zoom]

Well done!

[Snake45]

Thanks for all the kind comments, everyone. Much appreciated!