This '74 'Cuda sat in a barn...
This '74 'Cuda sat in a barn for years and nobody noticed. Find out how Dale Kaffer scored a deal on it, giving the E-Body a good home and a proper restoration.
Dale Kaffer of Macomb, Illinois, wasn't looking for an E-Body when he purchased this '74 'Cuda. In fact, he had his mind set on buying a new Dodge Challenger. He had even taken the first step by listing his restored '70 Road Runner on eBay with a high reserve in an attempt to come up with the needed funds. When the Road Runner sold, Dale had already begun looking for his new Challenger, when a friend and local mechanic named Kenny called and told him that a customer had a 'Cuda for sale. Not wanting to pass up a deal, Dale asked more about the car.
It seems that the 'Cuda was an original 318 car with an automatic transmission and had been sitting out of sight in a barn for many years. The barn was an old building in disrepair, so the owner moved the car outside fearing the barn would collapse on it and crush it. Once outside, she said people kept stopping to ask about the car and bothering her, so she called her mechanic. Knowing that he had too many projects, and that the Plymouth had a lot of potential, Kenny immediately called Dale to see if he was interested. He was of course, so they made arrangements to look at the car and meet the owner.
The interior shows some wear,...
The interior shows some wear, but is intact, a rarity these days. Dale plans a full restoration back to factory specs.
Though it was difficult to truly inspect the car sitting in the dirt and weeds on flat tires, Dale immediately noticed that this was a complete car, which is difficult to find these days. Knowing there were some rust issues, but also knowing he and his family had the skills to fix the car, Dale quickly asked the price. When the owner told him she wanted to get back what she paid for the car years ago, five hundred dollars, Dale quickly sealed the deal with cash and transported the 'Cuda back to his house, knowing his wife would appreciate the deal he got.
Once home, Dale discovered the car was very complete but needed some sheetmetal repairs like floors and a new roof skin. Fortunately, Dale's father-who is a retired sheetmetal worker and heart transplant survivor-was there to help. Dale's son, who is in the United States Air Force, also pitches in when he can. So far they've accomplished all of the sheetmetal work and have the car primed. Dale's plans are to refinish the 'Cuda in its original E7 Burnish Red hue and probably reinstall the original 318, though a 6.1 Hemi crate motor hasn't been ruled out. We congratulate Dale on his find and wish him well on his father/son/grandfather Plymouth project car.
The 'Cuda had some rust and...
The 'Cuda had some rust and would need some sheetmetal repairs, but was otherwise intact and in pretty good shape.
Although historically the...
Although historically the 'Cuda option meant a high-performance powerplant, in 1974 it was common for Plymouth E-Bodies to have the trim package with a 318 engine. This example is backed by a 904 automatic transmission.
Once on the trailer, Dale...
Once on the trailer, Dale saw how solid the frame of the Plymouth was. Though he wasn't looking for another project, Dale says this E-Body deserves a full restoration, and he plans to do most of the work with the help of family members.
As a bonus, Dale found the...
As a bonus, Dale found the build sheet and fender tag were both intact, helping verify the car's options were all original.