'64 Cuda 225 Pushbutton Fix or Sell?

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1964cuda

1964cuda

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I have had my '64 Cuda either on the road (last time in late 99) or in my driveway collecting rust since I bought it at age 16.
It was my second car. The first was a $50 '63 Valiant Signet 2 door hd top which I swapped engine and interior from a $35 four door. I had a friends Uncle paint it for beer money, and sold it to a kid at school for $650. Which I used to buy the Cuda.

I took the Cuda to high school shop class and rebuilt the 225 with new 0.40 over pistons and shaved the head in metal shop 90 thou.

To make long story short I never have had the time/money and ( 4 kids/house/work) later, and my poor old car has spent some time outside in the weather for now on 32 years.

I have come to a point where I need to make a decision.
Invest a fairly huge chunk of money into getting it back to a road worthy ride.

Or my neighbor is pleading with me to not let it rot anymore and sell it to him.
He will put a big block and tub it most likely, as he would like to see it on the track.
2 days ago he he texted me with a $500 offer. He didn't want to insult me as he knows how much sentimental value I have for it. But realistically he is going to gut it for a street rod.

I recently moved positions in my company and work closer to home in a building that is empty 10 months a year, I am optimistic that I can take it there to work on under cover( my house has no garage). I feel if I keep it at least a rolling chassi I can push/drive it out when we need to run the plant.

I have found a couple of places on the web that sell body panels/floor pans.
I assume all 4 floors and the front/rear quarters sections.
Priced them out to $2000 or so plus shipping/tax/ exchange.
I figure closer to $4500 Canadian just for sheet metal.

What would be your recommendation" keep or sell"?

And if I keep can I get some assistance sourcing parts?
Am I letting emotional attachment get the better of me?

I spent some time last week cleaning the plugs/points and installed a new stock coil, in an effort to get it to start.
Last time I had it running would have been 5-6 years ago.
Once I cleaned the gunk out of the carb it fired right up. Good old "slant 6 's"
I topped up the tranny fluid and once it warmed up it now rolls under its own power.
AMAZiNG.
Almost Christine like.
And like that kid I the movie I fell in love again.
 

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You know there is room for 2 rattacudas .
 

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Welcome. It is worth at least 1500 as it sits. With the story you have posted I would keep it. It does not look to be in bad shape and your kids would love a ride one day in a car dad had this long. Sounds like you are doing most of the work yourself so it is mostly a labor factor and less money invested than paying someone.
 
welcome to the fray - time to get real with yourself - it's a not just a good sized monetary investment, it's a serious time investment too.. to say nothing of the tools you're going to have to have.. mirror mirror, what should I do.. three points to ponder here: you know that old saying - "if you haven't used it in the last 3 years, you're probably not going to"... yea. On the other hand, inside you, you're heart is telling you what to do.. emotions CAN, DO, and WILL get the best of you.. lastly, not having your own garage is actually a pretty big deal.. it's damn near impossible to do a decent restoration and keep a car as rolling chassis.. on the other hand, if it's going to be a "rat rodish" daily driver... good luck soul searcher..
 
I myself feel you should keep it. I dont have much knowledge in fixing,restoring any car. I have some idea but this site has amazing people to help you out...thats for sure. My kids at first werent to excited until i was getting close to being done. Now, they cant wait. Whats the worse thing that can happen if you start, invest some cash and time then you realize im loving this or its not for me. As mentioned, your car is worth much more then the offer you got and you will probly get the parts back that you put in it in value, some,, just not your time. Working with no garage will suck i admitt, what about a good quality car shelter,,suggestion only. There is a member here i know who has a good one and his cars in it all the time.........I would keep it, start and see how it goes. Life is to short for what ifs.................JMHO Edd
 
I know buying parts from US to go to Ca is a costly thing. but it does not look that bad, but again pics show very little. fixing floor pans, you can buy 18 ga steetmetal and fab them, takes time, not hard. lower qtr rust or any lower rust, fab your own patches.

yes it will cost money to make it a driver no doubt. . ya just have to make the decision with either your Heart ( emotion) or your head ( brain- logic).
I tend to make most all my decisions with my heart! ( gets expensive!)
 
When you said you fell in love again, you answered your question. But as these cars don't bring a lot of money, it will be a labor of love. Do you have the equipment to repair the rust? If not, with the cost of paying someone to do the repairs, and getting parts in Canada, and nowhere to store the car, these are big obstacles. Are you willing to invest the time and money? If not, sell the car. Just don't let it keep sitting.
 
Welcome! I say fix it. But you need to consider the time and money that will be required.You will never recoup the amount of time and money you invest but it sounds like that isn't your intent. If you enjoy working on cars and the car has meaning to you go for it. You can't order up every part for these cars like you can for a Mustang or a Camaro from a catalog but parts are out there. Searching and finding is part of the project. This site will be a great help in parts sourcing and information.
 
Thanks for the replies!!!! :cheers:
As I wrote I am hopeful I can use the plant I run that is empty 10 months and store onsite under cover when we are using the plant 2 months a year.
I have access there to mig, tig, stick and plan to purchase a plasma cutter( for the plant).
I am a Millwright red seal by trade so I am confident I can cut out the rot. Need to practice welding though. I do know a few trades welders.
I plan to knock off a floor pan at a time first. So it is less flintstone like. The other safety aspect if I want my brood to go for a ride is stopping power. Since I put on powder coated 14" rims many moons ago I feel I need to either increase drum size to 10" or find disk brakes if available(any one know best route?)
Also the Cuda had no rear seat belts are they available and do I need to add mounts for the belts?
I own the complete carpet set so I would be happy to make it road safe and still have it RattaCuda like on the outside at least for a while. The car cover is a great idea as an interim to getting a place with a garage/shop. I will start sourcing out one or enlist my buddies to build one.

So I think I talked myself into keeping it (besides my wife says I can't sell lol).
I will post progress and be on here lots for help sourcing tips and tricks like hood hinge rot....:evil3:
 

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Sawweet, im glad your keeping it too! Any progress you make on it you will start to be even happier.......Post any questions you have. I know from experience here, there are lots of great people wanting to help you out. GOOD LUCK:burnout:
 
Put a 2 day permit on the Cuda to put some rotation on the drive system around my neighborhood.
First stop was my neighbor who had offered to buy it and did a burnout in front of his house.
Lol
Nostalgia and the looks from other motorists made me smile....
 
Update...
Still have the cuda, was able to score floor pans, wheelwell, lower rear and front quarter panel pressed patch panels. Scored repop emblems, decent headlight bezels and other used trim from some nice folks who had just sold theirs as they were retiring and moving . Bought a house with a shop. Still think it's too much work as will need to buy all the body tools etc.

Last weekend after golf saw the car the retirees sold at the local A&W so I wheeled back around and had a nice physical distance chat with the owner.
Man it is nice already has the 273 pb- 81/4 rear dual exhaust. Body work is a few years old and you can tell on the rear wheelwell.

I told him about mine and the time it would take me to fix. (I am running out of it).
He told me he was thinking of selling it for $14-$15K.

I am seriously thinking I cannot complete mine for that amount of cash with needing new motor, Tran, rear, paint, interior on top of all the body work for the patch panel I already have. Especially if I have to pay someone to do the work.

I feel that I would be much happier having bought a running 64 and driving it than spending the rest of my life attempting to get mine on the road.
This way I can take the wife out on a Sunday instead of cutting and grinding...

Of I were to sell mine what would it be worth with all the patch panels etc?
Ballpark so I don't get burned.

Appreciate any thoughts.

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Ouch, ditch that diamond pleat! .....Other than the few holes in the floor...whats wrong with it? first thing I would do is get a DA with some 80 grit and go to town, then buy a case of black primer spray paint from Walmart and rattle can it to get it one color and protect it from future rust. Will show up the body dings too for future filling. I can't look at cancer like that, reminds me of all the cars I got now with crappy factory water color paint and pealing clear coat. Cut and weld in new 18g floor patches, beat 'em flat and paint with POR15. They are gonna be covered in jute and carpet anyway. Pick a job a week and just keep truckin. Those trunk props are way different in '65. Pep Boys used to sell a roll of black carpet looking material that almost matches the industrial loop automotive carpet but in a lighter material. works great on the back cargo area, easy to cut and lays down nice over Marhyde spray adhesive: spray floor and back of carpet and let them set up for about 15 minutes then lay it down. Make sure you practice fit before doing that as this stuff grabs pretty good. door panels are pretty easy to make out of marine grade fiberboard from Home Depot or other home stores. cut with a rotozip or fine toothed jig saw and cover with vinyl from a crafts store in color of choice (match the carpet) Get some of the hog ring type OEM panel anchors and pop em on. That looks like a pretty solid starter to me.
 
I agree BUT YOU will have to commit to doing the work and not paying it done! Yes, you will spend some for tools but they will last you a lifetime or sell them when done.
What is your car worth? I bet more in Ca than Mo or.... anything over the price of scrap is salesmanship, are you a good salesman!? ha
 
What self respecting man says "pleat" that's for skirts and such and nothing wrong with it.
Ye old diamond tuck naugahyde
Not sure how "solid" yours is, body/paint/welding and the learning curve will be costly. That's normal. I'm in similar boat with our 69.
It would all be nice to get that warm fuzzy feeling to have said you built it yourself, but everything that it takes to do that can be monumental. Good luck with your decision.
Where you located? I'm in Kawartha Lakes area.
 
I was a young man backin the 70s and I had bought what is known as a 2 rse inlne trailer. It had been rebuilt before but I just had to have the color changed. Dad said he would do it for me. I wanted F8 met. dk green!!! Well dad was self taught everything. He had a little 5 gal. Sears compressor and he borrowed my uncles ld suction gun and he primed, and saned, and so=hot that sucker an it was perfect. OK so I knew he had the red oxide primer thicker that i should have. Dad was a perfectionist and he could keep n, keeping on till he f**** up some things!!! ha
I am self taught too but learning is fun and it does not have to be that hard. IF you are a perfectionist , then it an be maybe frustrating?
But I know people that an not boil water!
 
pishta said:
Ouch, ditch that diamond pleat! .....Other than the few holes in the floor...whats wrong with it? first thing I would do is get a DA with some 80 grit and go to town, then buy a case of black primer spray paint from Walmart and rattle can it to get it one color and protect it from future rust. Will show up the body dings too for future filling. I can't look at cancer like that, reminds me of all the cars I got now with crappy factory water color paint and pealing clear coat. Cut and weld in new 18g floor patches, beat 'em flat and paint with POR15. They are gonna be covered in jute and carpet anyway. Pick a job a week and just keep truckin. Those trunk props are way different in '65. Pep Boys used to sell a roll of black carpet looking material that almost matches the industrial loop automotive carpet but in a lighter material. works great on the back cargo area, easy to cut and lays down nice over Marhyde spray adhesive: spray floor and back of carpet and let them set up for about 15 minutes then lay it down. Make sure you practice fit before doing that as this stuff grabs pretty good. door panels are pretty easy to make out of marine grade fiberboard from Home Depot or other home stores. cut with a rotozip or fine toothed jig saw and cover with vinyl from a crafts store in color of choice (match the carpet) Get some of the hog ring type OEM panel anchors and pop em on. That looks like a pretty solid starter to me.
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I have the orginal door panels etc. Just found the diamond tuck panels on a unit that was parted out. Also got a pasenger side front fender from the same guy 15years ago just protecting the original panels and rear seat.
I have not mentioned before but some drunk Ahole rearended me in the 80's so the insurance wrote it off(cost more to repair than bluebook value).
My Dad took it to a body shop and the cut out the frame at the left rear. And the entire left rear is bondo and long n strong fiberglass. Might be scary under the paint there.
I am just not.sure I can find time for all that needs to be done for it to be safe enough for my family.
If it.was just me I would aready have pulled onto the road and done a nice burnout, floorboards or not lol.
 
The problem I see is if you sell you will only get about 1500 dollars. The early A does not fetch much as a project car.
 
Part it out. a few guys here can make 3x what a project car sells for...it may keep a few 'ol A's on the road a little longer. Just a final option thought
 
pishta said:
Part it out. a few guys here can make 3x what a project car sells for...it may keep a few 'ol A's on the road a little longer. Just a final option thought
Click to expand...
If I buy the road worthy one that was my first thought, that a few folks on here might be able to use the parts I have to save/improve an A of their own....
 
4spdragtop said:
What self respecting man says "pleat" that's for skirts and such and nothing wrong with it.
Ye old diamond tuck naugahyde
Not sure how "solid" yours is, body/paint/welding and the learning curve will be costly. That's normal. I'm in similar boat with our 69.
It would all be nice to get that warm fuzzy feeling to have said you built it yourself, but everything that it takes to do that can be monumental. Good luck with your decision.
Where you located? I'm in Kawartha Lakes area.
Click to expand...
I am near Vancouver, BC. My wife is out of Peterborough your neck of the woods to say.
 
A mail order bride of the best kind! Peterborough is about 10 minutes from us. Been in this area since the 80's.
I've been trying to throw in the towel with our 69, but no takers so far.
Good luck.
1964cuda said:
I am near Vancouver, BC. My wife is out of Peterborough your neck of the woods to say.
Click to expand...
 
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