mrmike Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) Last year I built a '71 Hemi 'Cuda using the Revell Hemi 'Cuda Street Machine kit. I tried out making some changes that seemed to work quite well and the 'Cuda came out better than I had expected! I wanted to build a sister car to the Hemi 'Cuda using the Revell Hemi 'Cuda Convertible kit (AKA "Nash Bridges" Hemi 'Cuda Convertible). I'll replace the Hemi with the 340 from the Challenger T/A kit. I have enough MCW Hemi Orange paint left over from the Hemi 'Cuda build for this project. The interior will be white with black accents. I'll be using the '70 'Cuda hockey stick decals from Keith Marks. I have a twin scoop hood from Time Machine Resin. I've started by cutting off the lower fenders from the grille. I've glue them to the front fenders on the body. I'll putty the seams to hide them. I have always preferred a duck tail spoiler over a wing spoiler since the wing looks tacked on. The '69 Charger Daytona is the exception to that. Here's a picture of "Big Brother" Hemi. More to come..... Edited February 20, 2010 by mrmike
Casey Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 I'll be using the '70 'Cuda hockey stick decals from Keith Marks. I didn't know he included the rocker panel gills as decals, too. Nice! I've always liked that build, and the twin scoop hood is a nice change from the all-too-common Shaker hood & scoop, too. Which wheels are you planning to use?
mrmike Posted February 3, 2010 Author Posted February 3, 2010 I'll be using a set of Magnum 500's for this build. The completed car will look like the Hemi 'Cuda, only it will be a convertible.
mrmike Posted February 3, 2010 Author Posted February 3, 2010 Knowing that the front suspension will put the nose of the car up into the tree tops, I went ahead and cut off the spindles. I used some small squares of styrene to shim the spindles to make up for the difference from cutting them off. I mounted the spindles about 1/8 inch high on the suspension uprights which will lower the nose of the 'Cuda. I then realized that I needed to shim the front valance to make up the difference from removing the lower fenders. The motor is partially assembled and painted. I found a single 4-barrel intake that may have come from a big block Ford. It dosen't look too bad just as long as you don't look at it too long. More to come.....
Nick Winter Posted February 3, 2010 Posted February 3, 2010 (edited) Mike maybe this will help you out. it's a '71 challenger though Edited February 3, 2010 by Dukefan69'
mrmike Posted February 4, 2010 Author Posted February 4, 2010 Thanks for the pictures, Nick. Other than the exterior/interior colors, it's not what I'm building. But, I do appreciate it!
mrmike Posted February 4, 2010 Author Posted February 4, 2010 I wanted to add power steering to my 'Cuda but I didn't have the correct belt assembly in my parts box. I improvised by addiing part of another belt assemlby to the kit fan belt. It's not 100% accurate, but it'll do for me. The distributor and cylinder heads have been drilled out for plug wires. More to come.....
mrmike Posted February 5, 2010 Author Posted February 5, 2010 (edited) I have completed the 340 motor, or at least I think I have! I am considering adding a few more details. For some reason I am having trouble getting the lower fenders smooth, but I'll keep working at it! More to come..... Edited February 5, 2010 by mrmike
mrmike Posted February 7, 2010 Author Posted February 7, 2010 I got the body painted yesterday! Have a look. I needed to find a set of rear shocks for my 'Cuda since this has never had included any. The shocks came from the '69 Charger Daytona kit and where cut down to fit the chassis. Chassis assembly is complete and awaiting motor installation. More to come.....
Casey Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Did you cement the rear valence panel to the body before painting? I always grumble when I have to fit those two parts together as the contact areas are not so good. Looking good in Hemi Orange.
Nick Winter Posted February 10, 2010 Posted February 10, 2010 Thanks for the pictures, Nick. Other than the exterior/interior colors, it's not what I'm building. But, I do appreciate it! I know that's why I posted it, the interior exterior colors
mrmike Posted February 11, 2010 Author Posted February 11, 2010 Did you cement the rear valence panel to the body before painting? I always grumble when I have to fit those two parts together as the contact areas are not so good. Looking good in Hemi Orange. Yes Casey, I did cement the rear valance panel to the body before painting and you are correct, there is very little area to join the panel to the lower rear fenders. It just takes a little bit of patience and some strong glue!
mrmike Posted February 15, 2010 Author Posted February 15, 2010 While polishing the body, the rear valance fell off. I solved that by adding two pieces of round styrene rod to the ends of the valance panel and gluing the rod to the inside of the rear fender. I now have a strong bond on the rear valance panel. The 340 motor has been installed into the chassis. I had to trim the motor mounts to get the 340 as low in the chassis as possible. More to come.....
Modlbldr Posted February 15, 2010 Posted February 15, 2010 Mike- Nice work going on here. It will be a perfect accent to big brother. I prefer the twin hood scoop hood on these cars to the shaker hood. Nice choice. Later-
mrmike Posted February 16, 2010 Author Posted February 16, 2010 Thanks Dave and Tom! This one is shaping up quite well. I still have lots to do on it.
mrmike Posted February 21, 2010 Author Posted February 21, 2010 Some progress to report! I got the body cleared with 3 coats of Tamiya TS-13 Gloss Clear after some detailing. The interior has been completed and the tires have been lettered and mounted to the wheels and wheelbacks. I did a quick mockup to check the fitment and thae stance. So far, so good! More to come.....
mrmike Posted February 24, 2010 Author Posted February 24, 2010 (edited) The interior, body, and chassis are now one unit. I have installed the heater hoses and the grille/valance panel. Since this 'Cuda is the "little sister" to my Hemi 'Cuda, I figured she would need a little bling. I added a chrome strip around the grille. Something like a necklace! More ot come..... Edited February 24, 2010 by mrmike
mrmike Posted February 28, 2010 Author Posted February 28, 2010 I got the front bumper on after I removed the mounting studs for the driving lights and reattached the lights to the bumper. I had enlarged the exhaust ports in the valance panel prior to painting and I made new exhaust tips from some tubing. This is getting near done. I just need to add decals and final details to "little sister" and then I can proudly display her next to her "big brother" Hemi 'Cuda! More to come.....
tuffone20 Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 Mike, you are doing an awesome job on that Cuda!! I love it and can't wait to see it all done and setting next to the other one!
1320wayne Posted February 28, 2010 Posted February 28, 2010 Excellent work on this one Mike. Seeing these nice Mopar builds gets me inspired to move some other projects aside and get to work on some of the large quantity of Mopar builds that I have. Can't wait to see it finished.
mrmike Posted March 1, 2010 Author Posted March 1, 2010 Thank you Marty and Wayne! Well, "Little Sister" 'Cuda 340 is done and post in the "Under Glass" section. I would like to thank everyone who looked and commented on my WIP.
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