The U-code 440 got its share...
The U-code 440 got its share of attention during the three-year resto.
Since then, this 'Cuda has found a new home in Danny's garage. "I showed it at Performance World in Toronto, and I did really, really well," he says. "One of the good things about that show was there was a car that came in from France, a Hemi 'Cuda. We went up against it, and we seemed to do a lot better than he did."
If you're interested in "garage archaeology," hoping to discover an ultra-rare Mopar, or at least one that's worth building the way you want it, Mauro has this advice: "Always look for something that's a seven out of ten, or an eight out of ten" he says. "On this car, we couldn't have started with a worse project to restore and go down to the Nationals with. Being our first one, and being really green at it-no pun intended-that made it a lot harder. We were surprised that we actually made it through with that, but it all went into part of being hard on ourselves to get to that point."
No matter how you measure...
No matter how you measure trunk volume, there isn't much of it. Full-size spare was correct for the standard '70 'Cuda.
Danny echoes his cousin's advice. "You've really got to watch what you buy. You've got to make sure, because you don't know how much money you're going to end up spending. That's the biggest problem. You could be into a car for a lot more than it's worth."
FAST FACTS
1970 Plymouth Barrauda 440 hardtop
Owned by: Danny Spinosa, Oakville, Ontario
Restored by: Mauro Broca and Jeffrey Cabot, Oakville, Ontario
Mopar Power:
- Engine: The original, numbers-matching U-code 440 Magnum was in the 'Cuda when they found it, and it's been rebuilt to its original configuration.
- Transmission: Same story with the 18-spline A-833 four-speed and factory Hurst Pistol Grip shifter--worn out when found, then restored and re-installed.
- Rearend: The original Dana 60 that came with the 'Cuda's Super Track Pak option was restored and is again running 4.10 gears like it did when new.
F70-14 Goodyear tires are...
F70-14 Goodyear tires are reproductions of the OEM tires, which, along with the steelies and poverty caps, usually came off when it came time to prep for the drags.
- Suspension: Just like it had when it rolled off the line at Hamtramck Assembly: heavy-duty longitudinal torsion bars and sway bar in front, heavy-duty leaf springs in back, and heavy-duty shocks all around.
- Brakes: Restored original front discs and rear 10-inch drums
- Wheels and Tires: 14-inch OEM steelies wear correct '70 Plymouth dog dish caps and repro F70-14 bias-ply Goodyear Polyglas tires.
High Impact:
- Body: Not only was the 'Cuda's unibody suffering the effects of rust and rot, it had also been twisted by many a non-subframe-connector-equipped starts. They had to remove the old paint and rust, then unbend the underpinnings, while replacing rusted-out sheetmetal with repro panels.
- Paint: Once the bodywork was done, a new application of the original F8 Ivy Green Poly color went on.
- Interior: Restored to low-option goodness with new seat covers, carpets, dashpad, and not much more. (AM radio was the car's only interior option.)