69 Cudas

[lucas454]

I got the red one awhile back, and was not impressed with the kit. There were some fit issues with the bumpers, engine bay, and chassis. I also didn't like the lack of decals and headlight lenses. I thought I could do better and have been wanting to get another kit for awhile. I had a lot of other kits I wanted first, and as costs went up, I just couldn't afford another. Well, I didn't have any projects on the bench and the price was right; so i decided to get a second one and build it the way I would want one.

The kit is still bad. They haven't improved on the fit issues; the bumpers being the most major. The chassis fit is also pretty bad and I had a hard time getting the front end on. They also still don't have headlight lenses, but the did listen to complaints about decals and added some emblem decals. They aren't great, but at least they tried. The headlight lenses I did use were some from the parts box.

SAM_1550 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

SAM_1551 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

SAM_1552 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

SAM_1553 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

1 (146) by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

1 (148) by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

[kyledehart5]

I think you’ve got a couple really nice looking Cudas there. Love the color choices too. Great work.

[70 STING]

Can’t tell that those kits fought you the entire way. Perseverance paid off as you have a couple great samples for your shelf. :^)

[atomicholiday]

Both look great! Looks like you wrangled them into submission and came away with two nice builds.

[handiabled]

I have a very big soft spot for Cuda's! For subpar sounding kits you created a couple of great looking cars

[406 Silverado]

I'm always down for a Cuda as well and I'm definitely a fan of the lime green color Eric.

[lucas454]

Thanks everyone. And, yeah, Sublime is my favorite MOPAR color. About to do another Challenger in that color next week. Gotta love the Torred of my personal Challenger as well, lol. As for some of the challenges; you may notice the bumpers are flipped on the red one. On the old kit that was the only way I could get them straight. If not they would have been pointing at an extreme angle.

[TJ]

They both look really good. You can really see the shine in the Sublime one

[handiabled]

Jan 14, 2024 23:56:58 GMT -5 lucas454 said:

Thanks everyone. And, yeah, Sublime is my favorite MOPAR color. About to do another Challenger in that color next week. Gotta love the Torred of my personal Challenger as well, lol. As for some of the challenges; you may notice the bumpers are flipped on the red one. On the old kit that was the only way I could get them straight. If not they would have been pointing at an extreme angle.

What year Challenger do you have?

[lucas454]

Jan 15, 2024 8:59:31 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Jan 14, 2024 23:56:58 GMT -5 lucas454 said:

Thanks everyone. And, yeah, Sublime is my favorite MOPAR color. About to do another Challenger in that color next week. Gotta love the Torred of my personal Challenger as well, lol. As for some of the challenges; you may notice the bumpers are flipped on the red one. On the old kit that was the only way I could get them straight. If not they would have been pointing at an extreme angle.

What year Challenger do you have?

2015, first year of the current body style.  Got it 3yrs ago this month.  My 2009 model was having fuse box trouble and apparently, Dodge no longer has the parts to fix the 2008-14 models.  Had to got to a junkyard and get the part out of an 08 Magnum.  I still wanted a Challenger so I needed a 2015 or newer.  My car was one of only two in the area in a color I wanted.  Most are white, black, or blue.  I wanted Sublime, Hemi Orange, or Torred.  Saw a Hemi orange one online in my price range and wanted it bad, but it turned out it was one of those we ship anywhere sites.  Found the two Torred ones in the Myrtle area.  Drove to Conway, almost Aynor, to get the one I have.  It was $20K, but it's been a great car.  One of the best I ever had.  I also found a 2014 R/T in my search, but it was a 2014, so I didn't want to risk it breaking down on me.  The local dealership also has 3 Sublime cars now .

287431361_5347252915295117_3270679713471480000_n by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

The pic is from my first and only carshow.  All the super cars are on the other side of that truck.  Needless to say, not many people checking out my ride.  To be fare, it's not every day you see a Lambo and other exotics in a small town (Loris, SC).  I had to remove my tint just after that show. NC doesn't allow much tint.  Got side swiped a few months later.  The shop didn't repaint it, just buffed the scratches and clear coated the others.

The old car 

It was also in an accident.  Got T-boned at a light.

[handiabled]

Nice ride! My two brothers and I have E bodies as well. One of them has a 1970 SE RT Challenger and a 2010 SRT the other a 1970 RT Challenger. I am the odd man out with the 73 Cuda

[lucas454]

Jan 16, 2024 9:08:51 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Nice ride! My two brothers and I have E bodies as well. One of them has a 1970 SE RT Challenger and a 2010 SRT the other a 1970 RT Challenger. I am the odd man out with the 73 Cuda

Nice.  I've been wanting a classic car for awhile now.  Back in college I used to find a lot of great deals on classic cars, but never had the money.  I bought my Chevelle for $6K, and lost my job just as I got up $12K to restore it.  Had to sell the car for $3K after my dog tore up the cover for it and the interior got mold.  Back then I found a 70 Challenger R/T for $20K, A 66 Chevelle for $12K, Torinos for under $10K, and some Demons for under $10K.  Even knew a guy in college with a 70 Chevelle SS he got for $6K.  All those cars fully restored.  I also found a 69 Hurst Olds for $4K in need of restoration!  I miss the old days.  It's rare to even see a classic car now, much less one for sale unless you're at a car show.  Even then a lot of the ones around here have small turn outs.  Even the one in Myrtle has fewer people since the city took it over and ruined it.