1969 'cuda 383 4-speed

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They use the same inner fenders, frame, and etcetera. The latch support, latch support bracket and all front sheet metal are needed from the Dart. Not sure on the hood line, probably the same at the back. You may have to mod the fenders to fit the Barracuda doors, but I do not see any reason it won't work. Dog Fish? Not sure I would care for the way it would look but it would definately be unique. The Barracuda has curves, the Dart is square. Sounds like a clash.

Thanks for the info! I wish I would have read it sooner, I started to do it. lol and realized id have to mod the fenders a bit, which I did. and it fit kinda snug, I do have a big gap though lol on the bottom. I want to post some pictures as soon as I figure out how to post the pics.

this is starting to give me a headache lol. Does anyone know where I can get a SAVAGE GT front clip?? I think that would be easier lol although more expensive I love the look of it.
 
hi cuda dad,

thanks for not taking any offense to my question. in the summer here in pittsburgh there are a number of car shows and the "perfect" cars always arrive on trailers. i've often wondered how much fun the owners really get out of these cars just driving them off and onto the trailer. i can certainly see how nice it would be to have a "brand new" 68 cuda sitting in the driveway. and yes, you are right about not spending money on "conventional" cars veres putting money in a resto car. when i look at my "survivor" resto of my 68 cuda (with all the imperfections evident) it kinda makes me feel the car reflects the aging process that i have gone through since my first cuda now some 44 years ago. but i really don't think i would mind jumping into a "factory fresh" formula s someday. i'm sure you will have lots and lots of fun and great new experiences when "mark" and the gang hand you the keys to your "new" cuda.
 
ohmars...
the only "Savage GT" i remember in the cuda world was the following VERY short-lived modification from some small company out of wisconsin. NEVER saw one on the east coast...
 

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As far as driving it once its done that is what insurance is for....

I agree, I have and have done full restos on my cars and drive them everywhere. As long as weather is ok. Who cares Its only metal! I am very happy to hear that there is a 2nd gen cuda there. Now Ill want to keep up with the show. I hope we get to see some tv time with the car. That's great. I have one question though Are you having him do the whole car? Or just paint and body??
 
I agree, I have and have done full restos on my cars and drive them everywhere. As long as weather is ok. Who cares Its only metal! I am very happy to here that there is a 2nd gen cuda there. Now Ill want to keep up with the show. I hope we get to see some tv time with the car. That's great. I have one question though Are you having him do the whole car? Or just paint and body??
They are doing everything.
 
Saw your car car on tonights show multiple times!!!!!

Hope it keeps getting some air time!!
 
CudaDad

It has almost been a year.

The car has been shown multiple times in the new episodes and even a triva question with it.

Have they started any work on it yet?

I am sure the new episodes were filmed early in 2014, but I know myself and others are intrested in any updates.
 
cuda dad...

i watch graveyard cars now regularly because "someone" started reading all the negative comments on social media about there being too much silliness and BS on the show between mark and darren and the rest of the crew and up-graded the scripts. i've seen your car a number of times. it seems that mark's finances improved to the point that they are moving into a very large new building and lot. the same thing happened on "American Restoration" filmed in las vegas where "Rick" moved his operation from the small facility he had been in for years to a larger building after the show became popular. i'm guessing that mark worman now has more business than he could possibly take care of. i hope your car doesn't fall down in "the cue" of cars to be repaired as it seems worman prioritizes the cars to be fixed seemingly with the script of the shows - featured famous people, "human interest stories", etc.

it will be pretty cool when they get to your car as i'm assuming that it will be featured in the filming like the other cars. unfortunately, it might take two more years before that happens. how (or why) did you decide to take your car out to "Wellby's" instead of a "non-TV show" shop where it might have been worked on more quickly? i'm not being critical here but am curious why you would be willing to wait for probably 3 years to get your car restored. hope all goes well with your car.
 
CudaDad

It has almost been a year.

The car has been shown multiple times in the new episodes and even a triva question with it.

Have they started any work on it yet?

I am sure the new episodes were filmed early in 2014, but I know myself and others are intrested in any updates.
They have not started working on it yet but it will be shortly. I should be able to visit during the tear down and take some pictures.
 
cuda dad...

i watch graveyard cars now regularly because "someone" started reading all the negative comments on social media about there being too much silliness and BS on the show between mark and darren and the rest of the crew and up-graded the scripts. i've seen your car a number of times. it seems that mark's finances improved to the point that they are moving into a very large new building and lot. the same thing happened on "American Restoration" filmed in las vegas where "Rick" moved his operation from the small facility he had been in for years to a larger building after the show became popular. i'm guessing that mark worman now has more business than he could possibly take care of. i hope your car doesn't fall down in "the cue" of cars to be repaired as it seems worman prioritizes the cars to be fixed seemingly with the script of the shows - featured famous people, "human interest stories", etc.

it will be pretty cool when they get to your car as i'm assuming that it will be featured in the filming like the other cars. unfortunately, it might take two more years before that happens. how (or why) did you decide to take your car out to "Wellby's" instead of a "non-TV show" shop where it might have been worked on more quickly? i'm not being critical here but am curious why you would be willing to wait for probably 3 years to get your car restored. hope all goes well with your car.
They were really tripping over themselves at the old shop and needed to expand. There are now over 30 cars in the cue. I don't think I will get shuffled back as mine is in the next group of five to be disassembled. Moving has slowed things down a bit. The agreed upon completion date is January 15, 2016 and he believes he can meet still meet it. I first contacted Mark on Facebook asking if he would be interested (hoping for an Overhaulin' type Deal) in restoring my car. He was anxious to get an A-Body on the show, of course it's not free. We were able to reach an agreed upon total price. I felt with the media exposure, the rarity of the car, and the fairly close proximity to where I live, I would be safe taking it there. He does take a lot of pride he the restorations he turns out and my car, being the first A-Body restored on the show, should be no exception. I believe it will be featured on the show in Season 5. Today, Mark confirmed there is a segment in (next) Tuesday's episode where he discusses the car with Tony D'Agostino. I haven't seen it but I'll be watching.
 
Glad to see your car getting restored. Can't wait to see it on TV with you taking the keys with a huge grin.
 
i have to say, with all the goofyness still on graveyard carz, i'm very glad this show is on. from a TV business perspective, graveyard carz must be drawing enough viewers to keep the show going. even though it is a low-cost "reality" show, it would not have lasted this long if no one was watching. it appears that there must be enough die-hard mopar collectors or fans that really enjoy the show and tune in each week for the ratings to stay in that "lets keep filming" range. and, of course, i do enjoy looking at all the mopars in all the stages of restoration. further, the more commercially successful shows like this are, the more the positive "ripple effects" to various vendors for these shows. i am familiar with most of the sub-vendors mark uses (like the dash guys) but each week pick up at least one new reference from his on-camera discussions. and.... when i started restoring my 68, i would have never considered tearing the car apart down to the bare body shell like worman does. i still would never attempt that by myself but i can see how one could try to do this alone based upon all the filming stages graveyard carz has shown. i think a collector could follow worman's procedures by making a list of sub-contractors in the area where they lived and if there were enough of these restoration shops in your area, you could probably do a full body off restoration.

i have a second barracuda - a 69 383 4 sp fastback S that i am starting on now. i think i might try to do some of worman's steps and farm out some of the work to a few local shops. i think if i send my car to a local engine/trans shop to have the motor and trans pulled then send the car to a glass shop and have them remove the windshield and back glass. after that, i will probably take the chrome and trime off myself .. and then send the body to a regular body shop for paint and repair.

my 68 took me over 2600 hours to get it to probably a level 2 restoration level. that was a LOT of work to do by myself. i'm learing a lot watching graveyard carz and as i said, i'm glad that show is on and is apparently doing well.
 
i have to say, with all the goofyness still on graveyard carz, i'm very glad this show is on. from a TV business perspective, graveyard carz must be drawing enough viewers to keep the show going. even though it is a low-cost "reality" show, it would not have lasted this long if no one was watching. it appears that there must be enough die-hard mopar collectors or fans that really enjoy the show and tune in each week for the ratings to stay in that "lets keep filming" range. and, of course, i do enjoy looking at all the mopars in all the stages of restoration. further, the more commercially successful shows like this are, the more the positive "ripple effects" to various vendors for these shows. i am familiar with most of the sub-vendors mark uses (like the dash guys) but each week pick up at least one new reference from his on-camera discussions. and.... when i started restoring my 68, i would have never considered tearing the car apart down to the bare body shell like worman does. i still would never attempt that by myself but i can see how one could try to do this alone based upon all the filming stages graveyard carz has shown. i think a collector could follow worman's procedures by making a list of sub-contractors in the area where they lived and if there were enough of these restoration shops in your area, you could probably do a full body off restoration.

i have a second barracuda - a 69 383 4 sp fastback S that i am starting on now. i think i might try to do some of worman's steps and farm out some of the work to a few local shops. i think if i send my car to a local engine/trans shop to have the motor and trans pulled then send the car to a glass shop and have them remove the windshield and back glass. after that, i will probably take the chrome and trime off myself .. and then send the body to a regular body shop for paint and repair.

my 68 took me over 2600 hours to get it to probably a level 2 restoration level. that was a LOT of work to do by myself. i'm learing a lot watching graveyard carz and as i said, i'm glad that show is on and is apparently doing well.
What a difference a year makes! I'm glad you gave them another chance.
 
These are on the car, does anyone know if they might be stock?


I have a set on a 67 formula s barracuda. Car has only 17,934 miles on it. Im the second owner and the orignal owner said they were on it when he bought it new.
 
I have a set on a 67 formula s barracuda. Car has only 17,934 miles on it. Im the second owner and the orignal owner said they were on it when he bought it new.
No kidding! That is very interesting. I wonder if they are shown in any factory parts manuals of the time. They should be if they are a factory set up.
 
It was great to see your car on Graveyard this week. Sucks about the cut inner fenders.
 
It was great to see your car on Graveyard this week. Sucks about the cut inner fenders.
You know, I actually intended to restore it with the fender well headers but Mark talked me out of it. The guy I bought the car from included another front clip that will be used to put mine back to original. On a side note, is that a '68 GTX in your avatar? I'd be interested in hearing about that.
 
as to the odd "traction bars" on the 67 barracuda, i cannot believe these were stock. when the big block/high torque "pony" muscle cars (barracuda, mustang, camaro) first started appearing around 1967, a number of them - primarily mustangs and camaros - had severe "wheel hop" issues when excess rpm's/loss of traction occurred. after market vendors quickly engineered and marketed "traction bars" for these cars. there were two basic designs that were popular but some of these traction bars looked very similar to the ones on this 67 barracuda, although the other popular design (popular on camaros) had the bar bolted to the rear axle with a rubber "pinion snubber type) impact pad on the front of the bar (towards the front of the car). when you would get leaf spring "wrap up" causing the wheel to begin to vibrate, these bars would hold the spring in place and not allow the portion of the spring in front of the axle to flex.

no auto company offered "factory installed" or even "dealer installed" OEM traction bars for any muscle car manufactured between 1964 and 1971 that i know of or ever heard of. naturally, you could buy these bars "over the counter" from the parts department of dealerships but these were not factory produced items - they were after market parts. my view of any such bars on old muscle cars which "appear" to be "factory" is that these bars were purchased from the parts departments and dealer installed after the car was bought. if these traction bars were installed shorty after the car arrived at the dealership, they would look "factory" now because they would have aged consistently with the rest of the car.

i remain convinced - no such bars pictured were installed originally on any muscle car by any car company at any time.
 
cuda dad...
saw your car on graveyard carz the other night. it was a pretty good segment with lots of air time for your car. mark seemed to be a little surprised at the fenderwell headers holes in the fender wells. i don't know why .... the guy that bought my original 68 barracuda s new cut out the fenderwells and installed hooker fenderwell headers. fenderwell headers on 340s were good for somewhere around 30-50 hp which translated to maybe a half a second on 1/4 mile times. lots of guys hacked out their fender wells on a body cars in the late 60s early 70s. fenderwell headers were also good for "bragging rights" on these cars on the street. i painted my headers bright orange so you could see them on the car coming down the road. this kinda said to other car guys, "yea, go ahead and challenge me to a race..."

both my current cudas have intack fenderwells and i would never consider cutting them out because original cars are just too valuable now. my 68 is exactly like my first 68 except for the fenderwell headers. however, i may look for another fastback 68 with the fenderwells already cut out and build another car that IS exactly like the one i had in high school.

since you are spending a lot of money to get your car restored, i'm sure you're going to have Mark replace your fender wells with original ones. but if i were you, i wouldn't take any "guff" off of anyone who makes a comment about your car the way it is. your car is EXACTLY the way these cars were built "back in the day."

best of luck with the build - i'll keep watching for when they start "blowing apart" your car.
 
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