Bringing the 66 back to life

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

Well you can see what shape the drivers side quarter panel was in and after cutting it off we found out that the inner wheel well and the trunk extension were not in any better shape, so all had to come off. I found a rust free donor inner rear wheel well but when it got here it was not the same shape so we could only use some of it. The trunk extensions came off that donor trunk floor which was from a 66 dart so we had to do a little modification to get it to work. Here are a few before and after pictures of how this project went.

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

Had some fun with the cuda today. My friend Eric came over, he works for a glass company (boy it sure is nice to know people in the buisness) anyway we put the back glass in. YEA BABY'S GOT BACK. This thing is really starting to look like a cuda again. I am very pleased that we didn't end up breaking this glass.

 

[memike]

That had to be a tuff job and looks like the inner fender is good to go with more room but just look at that 66 now :wav:
Looking great 66 cuda :hello2:

 

[caferacerx]

WOW oh wow..
just wow... speechless

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

Thanks Guys, I get a little bit more done each day. Hope to have it running by late July early August. I'll keep the pictures coming.

 

[cosgig]

Really nice work Bob. It's great to see you coming along so fine. You should be very proud of your work and the results too!!! It's BEAUTIFUL!!!! Keep up the good work!! Geof

 

[68383GTS]

I really like this car. I know where I could get a cheap 66 thats not in too bad of shape. I already have a 67 basket case...LOL

 

[swedefish]

Gorgeous -66 Barracuda. Your build really makes me want to start on the resto of my -66. Keep up the excellent work your´re doing. :thumrigh:

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

I didn't think that the passengers side quarter was as bad as the drivers side, boy was I wrong. When we cut the quarter off of this side I found out the wheel well was in sad shape also, and I knew the trunk extension was gone. So needless to say we had just as much work to do here as we did on the drivers side.

 

[memike]

What a great HOW TO thread going here 66 CUDA :hello1:

 

[pettybludart]

Thats some nice work you,ve done.The car looks great!

 

[1BadDodge71]

nice work!!Hey,what did you use to spray on the floor and trunk by the way?

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

I got this stuff from my local automotive paint store it's U-POL Gravi Tex plus overpaintable stone chip protector. My store carries it in two colors Black which I used or grey. I put it on with an old spray gun, covers nice.

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

So you saw what went into the drivers side inner wheel well and trunk extension, after everything was ground down and then sealed it was time for the quarter panel to be fitted. We had to do a little patching in front of the quarter panel since it only went up so far. Here are a few shots of that job.

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

And of course the passenger side quarter panel was jealous that the drivers side was getting all the attention so we spent some time over there also. After we had the quarter on we found some soft spots futher up so they were cut out and replaced.

 

[chryslerfat]

That is going to be a real sharp car when you are all done. It was good meeting you and my son says you have a very nice car.

 

[Popdart]

Nice work . . . nice car!!

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

Thanks everybody for the great comments, and it was nice meeting you and your son also tell him I said thanks. Anyhow had some time to kill so I put the rest of the doors together. Came out pretty good for an OLD FART if I do say so myself.

 

[daves66valiant]

Great work. Very impressive metal work. So glad to have had a rust free car to work with. I'd of shot myself already. Love the color too.

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

After all the grinding work was done a thin cote of bondo was put on and then the air file was put to work. After that some guide coat was put on and then we blocked and blocked and then blocked some more, can't remember the last time I had so much fun. Had to get it ready for some primer.

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

After all the blocking was done we put three coats of primer on each side to get it ready for MORE BLOCKING!!!

 

[jysnflem]

You should have it done in time for the Woodward Dream cruise. Looks great. Jayson

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

Not this year Jayson, maybee next year. I am in no hurry just want to have fun putting it back together this year and looking for some replacement parts at the local swap meets. Any one know of any up and comming swap meets here in Michigan soon?

 

[Tincup]

That is a heck of a nice shop where you did the paint work.

 

[68 CUDA FORMULA S]

Yes it is a very nice shop. I work part time for the Palace Chrysler Jeep dealership in Lake Orion Michigan and this place is brand new. We just moved down from the dealership to here back in January, this place is great. If you look at some of the earlier pictures in my thread you will see the old body shop back at the dealership. They needed more room so this shop was in the works and they allowed me to stay and work on the cuda after hours. They are great people to work for and the owner was actually interested in watching the progress that we made on the car. You can't ask for anything better than that, I consider myself very lucky.