What to look for, 69 cuda

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Madmikeee

Madmikeee

Stud Disguised as a geek
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Hey all, Need some advise, I might have the opportunity to go look at a 69 cuda. What are the typical trouble spots to look out for?

I know the usual, floors, trunks, quarters, trim rot etc etc etc but is there anything else specific to the model? It's a 318 car auto.

Thanks for any and all advise folks!
 
You got most of them already. Top of the fenders, & inner fenders, bottoms of fenders always rust first. So do the very back of rear frame rails by the bumper.

The rest is typical: previous collision damage, drivetrain/interior condition, bondo, etc.
 
Fastbacks hold water on the corners of the rear glass, look for issues with rust there. Look for a complete grille in good condition, the parts are scarce and expensive.
 
well... i bought a 69 fastback 318 auto too.

pretty much just make sure the frame isn't rotted out, just check and see if the inner fenders are rusted on the frame side. Also check the back frame to.

It can be fixed just alot more work..:clock:
 
Look for a complete set of grills and then call me so I can give you my adress so you can send them to me!!
 
moparsegura said:
Look for a complete set of grills and then call me so I can give you my adress so you can send them to me!!
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LOL

Obviously if I get the car I would be keeping the grills ;P

LOL

Out of sheer curiousity, what are a complete set of good condition grills worth? I have been hearing they are scarce and pricey.
 
69 grilles are one year only. Have them properly restored by alltrim or annobrite and they will bring 2500.00 or more.
About 7 years ago I met a guy who bought a 67 notchback. Evidently was rearended in early 79's. Was repaired with 69 model stuff. He hadn't noticed or was unaware until I pointed out the differences.
He then replaced it all with correct 67 parts and sold the 69 parts at a nice profit.
 
Also the car is a notchback if that makes any difference.
 
actually make sure the car has all the trim because its all different then every other year. Grills, tail panels, tail lights. Your looking at $1000 for a perfect tail panel and $800 for tail lights. 67-69 Barracuda trim is not cheap.
 
AdamR said:
actually make sure the car has all the trim because its all different then every other year. Grills, tail panels, tail lights. Your looking at $1000 for a perfect tail panel and $800 for tail lights. 67-69 Barracuda trim is not cheap.
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It's a full car, appears to be in damn good shape as it is a running and driving vehicle that is inspected and insured currently, The guy even has an appraisal paper. Now all it is going to take is me looking at the car and convincing the wife :)
 
Madmikeee said:
It's a full car, appears to be in damn good shape as it is a running and driving vehicle that is inspected and insured currently, The guy even has an appraisal paper. Now all it is going to take is me looking at the car and convincing the wife :)
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Sounds like a winner but I wonder who did his appraisal? Let us know how it goes, that is if the wife gives you the okay.
 
damn it guys, you wasn't supposed to tell him how rare that stuff is, now how am I gonna talk him out of the grills???????
 
Longgone said:
Sounds like a winner but I wonder who did his appraisal? Let us know how it goes, that is if the wife gives you the okay.
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This may be a situation where it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission LOL
 
As I finish up a long-term resto-mod on a `68 Fastback let me offer this: Buy the most complete, solid, prettiest car you can find. Trim is a heart (and bank...) breaker.... Fenders are made of un-obtainium.... A reproduction plastic dash panel will be $475.... And the value can be out spent easily on a restoration. Inspect ALL the structural points mentioned so far, plus the obvious such as color match and panel alignment from previous repairs.

But then again, if it IS a nice, solid car and you really want one, who's to say what is better for you. :-D

Post pictures if you can..... That will help us alot in giving an opinion too.
 
You can always polish the hell out of the grilles yourself.
Mine are not perfect but decent ten footers with some deep scratches and dings but they polished up pretty darn presentable if I say so myself.

You can always put aftermarket gauges in you dash cluster and rattle can the cluster any color you like.

Going stock restoration is always much more of a pain in the rear and the bank account.

Restomodding is a little easier in some areas because aftermarket parts are much more available and cheaper than finding or retoring your factory pieces.

There are tons of guys here that did their dashes different than stock and on a budget, myself included.

I'm all for deviating from stock, but still making it look cool.

dashseats.jpg


5.jpg
 
I actually planned on a resto mod to a point anyway. Here are the pics he sent me.


SSL10384.jpg

SSL10370.jpg

SSL10364.jpg

SSL10363.jpg

Cuda.jpg
 
Mikeee, after looking at those pics you posted, I'd be very concerned about the floor pans ... the purple-ish discoloration on that carpeting is a clear indication of water (probably from the wiper pivots). When you go to look at it, see if you can take a peek under the carpeting -- it's probably not tacked down underneath the dashboard -- and see how bad that rust is.
 
CudaChick1968 said:
Mikeee, after looking at those pics you posted, I'd be very concerned about the floor pans ... the purple-ish discoloration on that carpeting is a clear indication of water (probably from the wiper pivots). When you go to look at it, see if you can take a peek under the carpeting -- it's probably not tacked down underneath the dashboard -- and see how bad that rust is.
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THanks, I was wondering about that discoloration, Here's hoping it's just sun fade ;)
 
The headrests and their hardware is another pocket full of coins :)
 
cudaspaz said:
I'd snatch it up before someone else does.

I'd snatch them all up if I could afford to.
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mmmmmmmmm snaatch

Oh sorry, drifted off for a second.

I am working on getting a buddy to go check it with me, I have to get my saturn inspected first, Probably get new tires on it too as the current ones have flat spotted from sitting so long.
 
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