A small wrench was thrown into his plans for a black-on-black look for his low-slung 'Cuda when he was experimenting with colors over chrome. Bill was mesmerized by red, but he didn't want to stray from his black-on-black vision. When it came time for a wheel choice, a friend suggested that he do a set in red and a set in black-something that would be totally unorthodox. he liked the idea, which gained support when he thought back to the old cars that would run mismatched wheels. So he went through with it and couldn't be happier. "Some hate it; some love it. I love it, and that's all that matters," he says. He does get questions about it a lot, but he just laughs and acts like he's colorblind.
The 'Cuda was finished in early 2007. its first show was the '07 Mopars at the Strip in Las Vegas, where it was a big hit. they even invited him to display the car at the Cannery Casino. Black Betty took home first place in the E-Body Modified class and won Best of Show (Modified).
Bill continues to attend shows, but he really wants to get out and drive the car more. "There is no fun in building them if you can't enjoy them," he says. Building cars in your driveway is never easy, but building them any other way isn't nearly as rewarding. This sinister-looking fish was made to drive.
Fast Facts
'70 Plymouth 'Cuda
Bill Ewell, Colorado Springs, Co
Mopar Power
Engine: A 451 ci ensures that this 'Cuda isn't just a looker and that it moves out, too. It was assembled by Bob Reese with the assistance of Bill. A steel stroker crankshaft, Mopar .600-lift camshaft with Crane 1.6:1 rocker arms, and ported aluminum Edelbrock cylinder heads provide the power. TTI 1 7/8-inch headers with 3-inch collectors evacuate the exhaust from the big-block and feed it into tti 3-inch pipes and Flowmaster mufflers.Fuel, Air, Spark: The big-block is fed by a Demon 750 carburetor and a Holley Street Dominator intake manifold. A complete MSD ignition system with M.A.D. Enterprises upgrades to the wiring harness and charging system.
Transmission: A Tremec TKO 5-speed offers superior performance, comfort, and drivability over the factory four-speed.Rearend: A beefy sure grip Dana 60 with 4.10 gears.
Sure Grip
Suspension: The front now features Firm Feel upper control arms, factory lower control arms, aluminum strut rods, and .960 torsion bars. For the rear, ESPO custom springs are used to lower the ride height 1 inch. Bringing the E-Body to a halt are 11 3/4-inch factory front power discs with vented and slotted rotors and TSM 11-inch rear discs with vented and slotted rotors.
Rims & Rubber: Coy's C-5s measure 18x8 up front and 18x9.5 in the rear. Bill had the fronts painted red; the rears remain true to his black theme. Modern day rubber gives this fish all its grip with BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW tires. The front tires are 245/45ZR18s, and the rears are 285/40ZR18s.
High Impact
Paint & Body: Zeke Ballinger can be credited for spraying down this black beauty, while Bill assisted with the bodywork, wet sanding, and polishing. It now features a shaker hoodscoop and flat-black hockey stripes on the rear fenders.
Interior: Bill didn't want to follow the trends of custom interior 'Cudas, so his retains a factory appearance with subtle changes that are hard to identify. The factory seats have been recovered and are six-way adjustable. The Rallye Dash has an updated tach and clock; a Pioneer CD player and speakers make up the audio system. Other interior renovations include new black carpet from ACC, a pedal dress-up kit, a Pistol Grip shifter, and a new Rim Blow steering wheel.