History of Cuda Al's Copper 1967 Barracuda

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Cuda Al

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Lompoc, CA
December 1966 my grandparents were in the need for a new car as there 63 Valiant was just wrecked. They went to their local Plymouth dealer Guy Moothart in Compton California, they looked around but didn't see anything they liked, 67 Valiant and 66 Barracuda only as the 67 Barracuda was a late entry and haven't hit the lot yet.

As they were leaving the salesman mentioned the all new 67 Barracuda would be there soon (don't recall if it was a day or two or a week). They come back and as they were walking onto the lot they see the car look at each other and smile. My grandfather asked about the 383 but when he heard no power steering he said no.
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For the next 20 years they (grandfather only) drove the car as there only car. In 1985 he was ready for something different and gave me the car.
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I drove the car as my daily driver on and off for five years (I had a 73 Barracuda and one always needed work). In 1990 I had money in the bank, rebuilt the engine (2nd time) and, drove the car for a little (maybe a year) and chose to tear it down and restore it.
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Before you say why restore it, continue...
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The hood and grill surround wasn't much better.

Life happens and the car ends up in storage for 10 years.
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Five years later I was doing better, new job, living in a house with a garage and some money to work on the car. With the help of a friend the car was prepped for paint and painted.
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Looks can be deceiving, it was a mess, couldn't be saved, live and learn.

For the next couple years I started saving money thinking I was going to have it done till I met a neighbor, he was working on a 74 Charger and I asked who was going to paint it for him, he said he was taking a class at the local community college, I checked into it an signed up. In sort time the car was blocked down and made ready to paint.
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This time I was the one on the gun, the instructor got me setup and it was all me, light-years better.
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Alan
 
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After cutting and buffing the car was ready for assembly.
2007-10-29_010.jpg


For the next ten months I worked on it with the limited funds available for it.
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Soon after it was ready (less exhaust)
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Finally the car was done, time to enjoy.
2008-11-02_006.jpg


Had to recreate the 1969 picture as my parents still lived there.
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April 2009 Spring Fling, first judged show, "Award of Distinction" (unranked judging)
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Beauty shot, Jalama Beach, Lompoc California
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Alan
 
That summer, fresh done restoration, Road Trip!
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After the obvious stop above I continued up the coast.
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And into Oregon
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Continued up the Oregon coast into Portland onto Mt Hood. Returning down through east Oregon.

Mt Jefferson
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By Crater Lake.
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Year later my father needed help on a project but my brothers trucks were not available, not a problem.
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This car is a driver and I love to take back roads on the way to shows, this day was no exception. Car was filthy even before pulling off the road.
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No worry, it cleaned up just fine.
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The local college where I painted the car was having a show, I got Best Student Project
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Alan
 
Funny, I was at Home Depot last year with the cuda. I come out with my purchases. A guy is hanging around the car waiting to see me and talk car....he couldnt believe it when I folded the seat down and put 8' 2×4's in it lol.
Blanket down and it's all good lol
 
From the day my niece could speak she wanted to help put the car together, when she was 10 years old she spent many days during the summer helping me put the car together.
2008-07-06_002.jpg


Years later, all the cousins know the car is hers when the time comes.
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For the next bunch of years the car was used and taken to shows but was starting to show its age.
The engine was starting to show its age and was time for a rebuild, good time to cleanup under the hood, now 10 years old.
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While at it I chose to repaint the engine compartment as it was part of the failed paint job.
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All back together in its original 2bbl configuration.
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Ten year old restoration still looks good, even better with Red-Lines.
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Niece taking the car for her first drive (on leave from Marines)
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Alan
 
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After cutting and buffing the car was ready for assembly.
View attachment 1715340503

For the next ten months I worked on it with the limited funds available for it.
View attachment 1715340504

View attachment 1715340505

View attachment 1715340506

View attachment 1715340507

Soon after it was ready (less exhaust)
View attachment 1715340508

Finally the car was done, time to enjoy.
View attachment 1715340509

Had to recreate the 1969 picture as my parents still lived there.
View attachment 1715340510

April 2009 Spring Fling, first judged show, "Award of Distinction" (unranked judging)
View attachment 1715340511

Beauty shot, Jalama Beach, Lompoc California
View attachment 1715340512

Alan
Thanks for sharing!
 
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