'70 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Reference Pics & Info

[tim boyd]

My question is could the twin scoop hood be had with a Hemi?

Lee, at the time I first made my proposal to Revell on the content that they should include in the kit, I assumed that the Shaker hood was optional on all 'cudas including the Hemi (just as the Shaker hood was optional on Hemi Challengers), so I recommended they include both hoods in their kit.

But fortunately Revell did their homework (unlike me) - or someone else providing them input had their facts straight - and so Revell correctly determined that the Shaker hood was standard with the Hemi.

All other 'cuda engines came with the "double bubble" (as someone called it) hood as standard.

Revelll went ahead and included the double bubble as the hood for the custom version, but also for all us kitbashers out there that want to do a version with the standard hood. Also to their credit, they corrected the hood from the version that was first shown a year ago at the 2012 NNL Nats (where the sccops and assocated area between were too raised above the main hood surface).

Best regards...TIM

Edited November 22, 2013 by tim boyd

[gtx6970]

Yep, Shakers were standard on Hemi Cudas only. Optional on 340, 383, and 440 cars (including six pack)

All Hemi Cudas had 15" tires were standard , steel wheels were standard, Rallyes' were optional. F60-15 is Hemi cars only.

All others F70-14 was standard with E60-15 as optional tires size ( same wheel options as above )

All Cuda's had the black rear tail light panel with a small 3/8" stainless trim moulding surrounding it

Ft rubber bumper was optional and avail sepertately with a chrome rear.

Or both ft and rear were avail

Not 100% sure on this part , but I think if you ordered ft rubber bumper the exterior mirrors were body color IF the optional sport mirrors were ordered. Otherwise it was just a plain simple chrome mirror on the drivers side only

Pretty sure ft road lamps were standard on Cuda regardless of ft bumper chosen

[drodg]

Me too. I figure I can do the moldings themselves, but how to do the fine pinstriping around the molding? Great color, btw! TIM

I am not sureon the stripe and molding. I figured at first an Evergreen strip for the side molding and either painting it black or using black chrome Bare Metal foil. I used the black chrome foil on a 68 Impala SS 427 a few years ago and it came out really nice. I tried a 1/64" vinyl black tape I bought from Detail Master the other night on a Reliable Resin 70 Cuda body that I never got around to finishing and it looks really good. That would be an easier way to go than the Evergreen strip. I am not sure how to do a molding and stripe though. I think the stripe would have to be very thin, much thinner than the 1/64" I used the other night. For a true correct look you would need stripes on the top and bottom of the molding. Back in 2005 or so I had a chance to buy a Sandpebble Beige 340 Cuda 4speed survivor with 30K miles on it. It had the factory tan leather with a side molding. I passed on the car (It was like 25K! what was I thinking?) and I have heard the car was resto modded and painted black. I so regret not buying that car and how the car ended up

[tim boyd]

Back in 2005 or so I had a chance to buy a Sandpebble Beige 340 Cuda 4speed survivor with 30K miles on it. It had the factory tan leather with a side molding. I passed on the car (It was like 25K! what was I thinking?) and I have heard the car was resto modded and painted black. I so regret not buying that car and how the car ended up

David - Oh man, that breaks my heart. Sandpebble Biege is not my idea of a great color, but a 340 4-speed survivor? $25k is a lot to swallow under any context, but I agree with you, that sounds like it would have been a really good move to get it. So I share your pain! I also had a chance to grab an FE5 '74 'cuda with the E58 360 hi-po in the late 1990's - it was around $18K at the time IIRC correctly and it great shape. I passed too. Like you said, what was I thinking?

As for the moldings, yes it's those stripes above and below (and in the front and the back end) of the molding that would be so hard to pull off, yet they are what gives the option its character. Maybe someone in the aftermarket will figure out a solution?

TIM

[tim boyd]

Yep, Shakers were standard on Hemi Cudas only. Optional on 340, 383, and 440 cars (including six pack)

All Hemi Cudas had 15" tires were standard , steel wheels were standard, Rallyes' were optional. F60-15 is Hemi cars only.

All others F70-14 was standard with E60-15 as optional tires size ( same wheel options as above )

All Cuda's had the black rear tail light panel with a small 3/8" stainless trim moulding surrounding it

Ft rubber bumper was optional and avail sepertately with a chrome rear.

Or both ft and rear were avail

Not 100% sure on this part , but I think if you ordered ft rubber bumper the exterior mirrors were body color IF the optional sport mirrors were ordered. Otherwise it was just a plain simple chrome mirror on the drivers side only

Pretty sure ft road lamps were standard on Cuda regardless of ft bumper chosen

Confirming several items from Bill's post based on my research on the same subjects...

* Road lamps were standard on the '70 'cuda (but optional on the '71).

* For the first half of the '70 model year, the only color available with both front AND rear Elastomeric (body color) bumpers was FE5 Rallye Red. (At mid-year, it got very complicated - way too much to explain here.)

* The standard 'cuda black tailamp cove and surround molding Bill correctly references is, unfortunately, omitted in Revell's body engraving. You'll need to wing this to make for a fully accurate model - not easy to do, but can be done. This was one of the reasons I chose Black for my QuickBuild color - at least it's not as noticeable an omission with that body color.

* One other point, on the 340 cars only, E60-15 (not F60's like the Hemi) on 15"x7" rims were standard. The size difference would be almost imperceptible in 1/25th scale, however.

(As an aside, the 1970 'cuda and challenger programs must have been a product planner's dream - or nightmare - due to it's complexity! For restorers and modelers...well....)

TB

[drodg]

Tim it the Cuda is looking good. Btw that 74 360 would be real rare.

[tim boyd]

Tim it the Cuda is looking good. Btw that 74 360 would be real rare.

Yes, it was!

The E58 360 is one of the most misunderstood muscle ear engines of all time. Most car book authors call it a dog and they don't have the first clue what they are talking about.

I have first hand experience here, having purchased new a '73 Duster 340 and then factory ordering a new '74 RoadRunner 360. The 340 would wind more but the 360 had mid-range torque that the 340 could only dream of. And that was in a much heavier B body vs. the A body 340. It was a great car - kept it for 16 years and 140,00 miles, but like most Mopars back then, the body rusted at the mere hint of moisture or salt. Sigh...TIM

Edited November 22, 2013 by tim boyd

[drodg]

Nice 74. I remember reading a 1974 Duster 360 test report and the car performed better than the 72-73 340's for sure. Here is a photo of my 1975 Roadrunner. The picture was taken a few weeks ago. It is a survivor with 37000 miles on it. It isn't the prettiest Roadrunner but it is a great driving car. It is a 360.

[hvymtl]

Back in the day i could have bought a friend's (not at the time ) 70 gran coupe cuda with a .060 383 with dana 60 and pistol grip 4-speed. for 1200.00 it had a quarter replaced on it with a fresh paint job and Keystone klassics on it .Typical 80's street machine stuff . Car overheated something crazy so it didn't sell for a year or two . Still kick myself for that one.

Michael

[tim boyd]

Nice 74. I remember reading a 1974 Duster 360 test report and the car performed better than the 72-73 340's for sure. Here is a photo of my 1975 Roadrunner. The picture was taken a few weeks ago. It is a survivor with 37000 miles on it. It isn't the prettiest Roadrunner but it is a great driving car. It is a 360.

David...that is the cleanest '75 I've seen in a long, long time. If the '74 B and E body 360's are rare, a '75 has be to be mega rare! TIM

The jars were discontinued some time ago, replaced by the assortment display. The Carnuba wax you bought will work just fine. I've been using it for years, and I think it's better than the old "Treatment" wax.

Thanks Don! Best...TIM

[Guest]

Lee, at the time I first made my proposal to Revell on the content that they should include in the kit, I assumed that the Shaker hood was optional on all 'cudas including the Hemi (just as the Shaker hood was optional on Hemi Challengers), so I recommended they include both hoods in their kit.

But fortunately Revell did their homework (unlike me) - or someone else providing them input had their facts straight - and so Revell correctly determined that the Shaker hood was standard with the Hemi.

All other 'cuda engines came with the "double bubble" (as someone called it) hood as standard.

Revelll went ahead and included the double bubble as the hood for the custom version, but also for all us kitbashers out there that want to do a version with the standard hood. Also to their credit, they corrected the hood from the version that was first shown a year ago at the 2012 NNL Nats (where the sccops and assocated area between were too raised above the main hood surface).

Best regards...TIM

Yes sir, I knew the shaker was standard, I am wondering if the twin scoop is a option for the Hemi?

[tim boyd]

Yes sir, I knew the shaker was standard, I am wondering if the twin scoop is a option for the Hemi?

Lee...sorry for misunderstanding your initial question. Based on everything I have observed and read, not the double bubble/twin scoop hood was not an option for the Hemi.

Best regards...TIM

[gtx6970]

Shaker hood was the only hood avail ' from Mopar ' on a Hemi Cuda ( both years )

BUT I would not rule out a dealer change to get the sale though .

[Guest]

Thanks Tim, and it is my understanding, tho it may be incorrect, that if you had connections, you could do nearly anything. I don't really like the shaker hood, bit would like to do it as a Hemi, seeing the rear axel appears to be the hp one.

[drodg]

You could always take the 440 out of the Revell Charger kit and do a twin scoop 440. Keith Mark's has decals for a 440 car I believe.

[1972coronet]

"I'll bet someone in the aftermarket figures out a solution [ to the red strip / stripe in the car's grille] but right now it's an open challenge to all you modelers out there!

"Hmm....maybe I could paint the entire recessed grille surface red first, then fill in the rest of the grille with hand-brushed flat black, leaving the horizontal red stripe in the middle?"

My thought exactly , Tim ! Paint it in a similar fashion to how the factory painted the so-called "Bumblebee (et al.) Stripes" on the 1970 Challenger ; first the stripe / stripes' colours were painted , then masked off , and then the car's body colour was painted .

( I am in no way kidding about this process , either ! The factory actually painted the painted-on stripes using this procedure ! )

[1972coronet]

I would imagine somebody like Missing Link would cast clear red tail lights that could replace the chrome tail lights in this kit. Then everybody would be happy and no complaints.

YES ! Clear-red tail lamps , but with separately-cast clear back-up lamps !

( I hope that you're reading this , Kevin ...)

Another sweet idea would be the W11 "Turbine" wheel covers . Yes , they were only in 14" wheel varity (e.g. , not *correct* for a HemiCuda and its 15" wheels) , and would be perfect for versions of this kit converted to 340 , 383 , 440 Super Commado or 440+6 replicas (or even for 225 /6 and 318 and 383 two barrel Barracuda or Gran Coupe conversions).

[69NovaYenko]

I think the rocker mouldings were available on the AAR Cuda's. I remember seeing a 1970 test report in Car and Driver and the car had the Rockers on them.

The got a reply from Jeff at the "Trans-Am Cuda registry concerning the whether or not the `70 AAR Cuda had "Fish Gill" rocker moldings. The answer was "No they were not... Only the prototype AAR had them on but that was a whole other animal. They actually released an internal memo (Factory Service Bulletin) stating the reasons why. They were concerned the side exit exhaust would melt the moldings." During further reading I discovered they were made out of ABS plastic.

As far as the '70 Cuda build goes this is an exceptional kit and another exceptional build by Tim. Also, kudos to you Tim and all the others who worked very hard to make this kit a reality.

Edited November 27, 2013 by 69NovaYenko

[drodg]

The got a reply from Jeff at the "Trans-Am Cuda registry concerning the whether or not the `70 AAR Cuda had "Fish Gill" rocker moldings. The answer was "No they were not... Only the prototype AAR had them on but that was a whole other animal. They actually released an internal memo (Factory Service Bulletin) stating the reasons why. They were concerned the side exit exhaust would melt the moldings." During further reading I discovered they were made out of ABS plastic.

As far as the '70 Cuda goes exception build Tim. And, kudos to you Tim and all the others who worked very hard to make this kit a reality.

Back in 2000 I had a FE5 Red AAR Cuda and it did not have rocker moldings. I drove it to an event from Northern Indiana to Augusta Ga back in 2000 or 2001. It was a 4speed and a pretty nice car. It was a fun but a hot drive. I came home and pulled the car in front of my house and the clutch gave out. Great timing! Beautiful car and quite frankly a nice handling car around the southern roads. I sold it later that year. I thought the rockers were an option but I stand corrected. This has been a great post and I have enjoyed reading the notes on the build of the Cuda on Tim's sight. Tim when will the magazine be released with your article? Thanks again

[JS23U]

Nice build, Tim ! You know that white hockey stripes were not available from the factory?

Concerning the wheel wells: Starting in about mid-January 1970 the Hemicudas got the wheel well trim (chrome) deleted. This was only on the Hemis, all others kept their chrome trim. Could be of help when correcting those areas on the kit.

About the shaker colors I am pretty sure that the silver shaker was standard on early cars unless you ordered a red car. Later in the year black was available. My guess is that black replaced silver on the shakers as there was no option code to choose if you wanted silver or black. 71 shakers were all black, hence it would make sence to me that late 70 shakers were already black.

Maybe someone knows more about the red shaker cars. As I know several red cars with silver shaker there must have been a connection to something else, maybe the colored bumper group or the painted sport mirrors.

I would doubt any other color available than these three as Chrysler (or the manufacturer of the shaker bubbles) had difficulties getting them painted, as someone already wrote. AFAIK they found a solution but it was quite expensive, so they limited it to red.

I have seen sevaral body colored shakers on Cudas as well as Challengers. But I'd doubt every single one unless someone shows me some good proof like a photo from the day of delivery or something like that. Even then the dealer could have painted it...

[tim boyd]

Nice build, Tim ! You know that white hockey stripes were not available from the factory?

Concerning the wheel wells: Starting in about mid-January 1970 the Hemicudas got the wheel well trim (chrome) deleted. This was only on the Hemis, all others kept their chrome trim. Could be of help when correcting those areas on the kit.

About the shaker colors I am pretty sure that the silver shaker was standard on early cars unless you ordered a red car. Later in the year black was available. My guess is that black replaced silver on the shakers as there was no option code to choose if you wanted silver or black. 71 shakers were all black, hence it would make sence to me that late 70 shakers were already black.

Maybe someone knows more about the red shaker cars. As I know several red cars with silver shaker there must have been a connection to something else, maybe the colored bumper group or the painted sport mirrors.

I would doubt any other color available than these three as Chrysler (or the manufacturer of the shaker bubbles) had difficulties getting them painted, as someone already wrote. AFAIK they found a solution but it was quite expensive, so they limited it to red.

I have seen sevaral body colored shakers on Cudas as well as Challengers. But I'd doubt every single one unless someone shows me some good proof like a photo from the day of delivery or something like that. Even then the dealer could have painted it...

Jens...thanks for the comments and let me respond to your points based on the research and resources I have consulted. These resources include magazine articles on 'cuda restorations and survivors (dating from 1984 through 2013!), original factory dealer memos and order guides, and restoration guides and references from authors like Galen Govier, et al:

* At the beginning of the model year, the "Sport Tape Stripe" (aka hockey stick stripe) was only available in Black. It also became available in White sometime during the model year. There is no indication it was ever offered in Red (though my memory suggested it), and it was not available in Silver.

* I agree with you on the deletion of the wheelwell trim on Hemi 'cudas during the model year. As a personal preference I believe they are essential to the appearance of the car (and I have, ever since 1970 - not that I was strongly opinionated that the subject that far back!!!). The majority of restored and survivor Hemi 'cudas I have seen have them, though by no means do all have them. So unless someone is duplicating a specific 1/1 scale car, it becomes a choice for us as we build the kit.

* Shaker hoods were eventually available in four colors by the end of the model year. Red, Organisol Black, and Astrotone Silver were available through most of the model year, and then one additional color was added at mid year. No one has documented what determined whether a car got a Black or Silver Shaker, as you say, there was apparently no order code between the two colors. The other two Shaker colors were restricted to cars that wore the same exterior paint color as the Shakers - e.g. Monochromatic. The Red Shaker also tied into the original availability of the Elastomeric rear bumper in red only, although it was not restricted to cars with red rear bumpers.

* As for the fourth Shaker hood color, I'm not going to reveal it here - it was very rare in that it was a mid-year option, and I have never seen one personally. If someone guesses correctly, I will confirm it.

Shaker hood colors are just one element of the '70 'cuda mystique. There's also the elastomeric front bumpers (available in nine colors), the painted racing mirrors, the expanded paint color availability of rear elastomeric bumpers at mid year, the addition of two exterior paint colors at mid year, the expansion of white with black components interiors to white with other accent colors at mid year. and on and on and on! Oh - and don't forget the vinyl top options, including "Mod Yellow" and 'Mod Blue' as someone commented earlier in this thread.

None of the above is to suggest that this is the final, 100% accurate word on '70 'cudas - as we've learned time and time again - Chrysler back then seemed to change the rules on a moment's notice. But it does represent - to the best of my ability - what seems to be the most current areas of agreement among the "experts" that I respect.

Thanks..TIM

[Rob Hall]

* As for the fourth Shaker hood color, I'm not going to reveal it here - it was very rare in that it was a mid-year option, and I have never seen one personally. If someone guesses correctly, I will confirm it.

Thanks..TIM

A Google search turned up this..."The Shaker was painted red on Rallye Red cars and Black with all other colors. By the end of the model year, the Shaker was available in Blue and Astrotone Silver )." No indication of what blue, though. Don't know the accuracy of the source, but here is the link..

http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/muscle/chrysler/chry_70_cuda.frame

Edited November 26, 2013 by Rob Hall

[johnbuzzed]

Going by the extreme references in some of these posts, there should be a LOT of factory stock and/or replica stock builds on the contest tables and in the magazines for some time.

[tim boyd]

Going by the extreme references in some of these posts, there should be a LOT of factory stock and/or replica stock builds on the contest tables and in the magazines for some time.

Let's hope so, John! TIM

[tim boyd]

A Google search turned up this..."The Shaker was painted red on Rallye Red cars and Black with all other colors. By the end of the model year, the Shaker was available in Blue and Astrotone Silver )." No indication of what blue, though. Don't know the accuracy of the source, but here is the link..

http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/muscle/chrysler/chry_70_cuda.frame

Rob....right you are....now....anybody wanna' guess what blue it was? TB

Edited November 26, 2013 by tim boyd