My 73 Barracuda build

Use this forum for all your builds in progress.

Moderator: Moderators

Tommy2turbos
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Aug 10, 17 1:21 pm
Location: Essex

My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Tommy2turbos »

DSC_2783.JPG
DSC_2783.JPG (254.62 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
Hi guys,
I've been on here for a couple of years now since I bought my first Mopar and thought I should give some insight into how my project is going.
I've always been into American muscle cars, with my dad having an array of different cars over the year's (primarily Mustangs, but also Pontiacs, Buicks, camaros etc) I was always destined to follow in his foot steps.
I've always had an eye for B and E body Mopars.
When I had the opportunity to buy this Barracuda I jumped at it.
A 1973 Barracuda, in b5 blue, 318ci, 727, 8 3/4 rear end and disc brakes.
A perfect base for a project to build my ultimate muscle car.
When it arrived I was ecstatic, my first muscle car, after dreaming of owning one for years was finally in my possession.
That's where the excitement ended. It soon became obvious that the car was in far worse condition than first thought.
I knew from the photo's I'd seen of the car that it needed some body work and paint, I knew that the interior was missing and that the engine needed a tune up.
As I started to dig into it I found the result of year's of neglect, lack of maintenance and poor repairs.

The brakes were all siezed, the callipers didn't work at all, the pedal box was rusted solid, the brake proportional valve was solid, the lines were full of rust and the hoses had all perished.

The enginee ran but only on 6 cylinders. The transmission would select and engaged drive but not reverse.

None of the electrics inside the car worked and only the rear lights lit up.

The body work was then checked, oh my god, it was in horrendous condition. The passenger wing had 1 3/4 inch thick body filler on the top surface, the driver's wing had been destroyed at some point (literally looks like some one shot it with a shot gun) and filled with copious amounts of body filler. The roof had rotted away along the top of the windscreen (I think it had a vinyl roof originally) and been replaced with a piece of tin that had just been layed on and fillered over. The doors had very little of the frames or the lower skin left, the driver's side quarter panel had been involved in a accident at some time and been repaired with expanding foam and body filler. The floor plans and boot where practically missing.

I could go on and on about the state of the car but you get the idea.

I had some thinking to do and a decision to make, do I wash my hands with this car, put it down to experience and move on or do I roll up my sleeves and get involved? The chances of me finding a nice car in a condition I would be happy with and within my budget was going to be difficult.

I had this car sitting in my workshop, rotten, beaten, bruised but not necessarily out for the count. The frame was in fairly good condition, all of the parts I needed were available in one form or another. I could build this car to be my version of the ultimate muscle car.

The decision was made, let's persevere!

Now please remember I'm a mechanic of the new generation, I deal with ECUs, CAN networks and electrical sensors, I know very little about carburettors, points and I have never done any type of body work so this was a huge decision for me.

The car has now been stripped, a vast amount of body repair and panel work has been done, a 383hp engine has been sourced, a A833 sourced, various other "goodies" have also been found.

I'm making progress all the time, finger's crossed it will be ready to put on the road some time late next year (2022)

Anyway this is my on going project. I hope you don't disapprove of my method's or decisions, after all this isn't going to be concourse car, it isn't going to win any show and shine trophies. I'm building it to how I think it should be and most importantly to be driven and used.
Attachments
DSC_0201.JPG
DSC_0201.JPG (273.6 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0205.JPG
DSC_0205.JPG (267.31 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0217.JPG
DSC_0217.JPG (270.57 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0396.JPG
DSC_0396.JPG (278.18 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0525.JPG
DSC_0525.JPG (232.49 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0527.JPG
DSC_0527.JPG (260.93 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0659.JPG
DSC_0659.JPG (271.81 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0537.JPG
DSC_0537.JPG (270.71 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0663.JPG
DSC_0663.JPG (282.69 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0660.JPG
DSC_0660.JPG (285.46 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_0399.JPG
DSC_0399.JPG (273.59 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1271.JPG
DSC_1271.JPG (286.29 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1276.JPG
DSC_1276.JPG (278.94 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1284.JPG
DSC_1284.JPG (272.56 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1290.JPG
DSC_1290.JPG (298.96 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1313.JPG
DSC_1313.JPG (279.71 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1315.JPG
DSC_1315.JPG (291.39 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1322.JPG
DSC_1322.JPG (293.67 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
DSC_1426.JPG
DSC_1426.JPG (285.11 KiB) Viewed 3933 times
User avatar
Pete
Posts: 21944
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 04 10:49 pm
Location: MMA Chairman

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Pete »

Great write up and photos there!

Also a lot of dedication, I would have thrown in the towel, but then again I do not have your skills.

Keep at it!
Pete Wiseman; Cambridge.

Mopar by the grace of God
Tommy2turbos
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Aug 10, 17 1:21 pm
Location: Essex

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Tommy2turbos »

More progress pictures
Attachments
DSC_1321.JPG
DSC_1321.JPG (293.06 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_1550.JPG
DSC_1550.JPG (287.42 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_1835.JPG
DSC_1835.JPG (262.63 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_1846.JPG
DSC_1846.JPG (259.68 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_1880.JPG
DSC_1880.JPG (274.22 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_1886.JPG
DSC_1886.JPG (277.68 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0011.JPG
DSC_0011.JPG (286.17 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0264.JPG
DSC_0264.JPG (259.13 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0265.JPG
DSC_0265.JPG (263.05 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0308.JPG
DSC_0308.JPG (273.89 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0363.JPG
DSC_0363.JPG (248.56 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0486.JPG
DSC_0486.JPG (261.5 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
DSC_0540.JPG
DSC_0540.JPG (273.86 KiB) Viewed 3929 times
User avatar
ScottyDave
Posts: 1614
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 15 9:38 pm
Location: Dave Evans: MMA 130, Worcestershire

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by ScottyDave »

Great project, keep the photos coming :thumbright: and your not alone :)
73 Charger 318
MMA-130
User avatar
MattH
Posts: 5796
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 04 10:56 pm
Location: Bedfordshire

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by MattH »

Superb work there, some looks familiar, but I didnt have the panel availability at the time. Bulkhead looks the nuts, good call to replace it all, as well as the roof panel.
I found a small bit every day is the trick, just keep at it!!
Matt Hollingsworth - Vehicle Registrar
Panther Pink 73 Aussie Charger 265 Hemi 4 spd
Challenger Sam Posey Tribute car
User avatar
cadboy
Posts: 2203
Joined: Thu Mar 21, 13 5:05 pm
Location: Worcester

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by cadboy »

Good decision to save the car and yes a lot of us would have gone the other way.
You are doing a great job and have the skills and the place to do it :thumbright:

=D> =D> =D>
User avatar
Dom66
Posts: 3009
Joined: Wed Oct 22, 14 12:27 pm
Location: East Sussex

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Dom66 »

Great stuff :salute: Good to see it coming together, keep posting the pictures :thumbright:
User avatar
mopar_mark
Posts: 6707
Joined: Fri Jul 14, 06 8:01 pm
Location: Windlesham, Surrey

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by mopar_mark »

Your doing a fantastic job, great to see another Cuda being brought back to life.

You must be chuffed & proud with your progress so far :thumbright: :thumbright: :thumbright:
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."
polosteve
Posts: 184
Joined: Fri Jun 28, 13 3:17 pm

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by polosteve »

Amazing work :thumbright:
newsatten
Posts: 151
Joined: Sun May 10, 20 11:41 am
Location: Whitstable, Kent Coast

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by newsatten »

Some good work going down there :thumbright:
I could have done with the cowl panel, back in November 18 couldnt get one anywhere, AMD had no idea when they would ever get back into stock,
Same position with the Quarters, had one side but not the other, been on order since June 18, so Jan 19 gave up and repaired them!

On the road this year???? =D>
User avatar
Adam
Posts: 3417
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 04 11:33 pm
Location: East Sussex

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Adam »

Wow, what a project! Hat's off to you sir :salute:

Thanks for sharing the progress so far. Looking forward to seeing this one done.
sublimemike
Posts: 765
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 11 6:53 pm
Location: oxford - the dreaming spires where cars in the city are banned

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by sublimemike »

Great work...
if you think speed kills don't get on a plane
Tommy2turbos
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Aug 10, 17 1:21 pm
Location: Essex

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Tommy2turbos »

Hi guy's, thanks for the support so far and kind messages.
I thought it was time to give a little update on the project. The body work is taking up a huge amount of time with panel beating and body filler. The hour's put in now though will pay off when the final coat of paint goes on :lol:
My biggest issue at the moment is still waiting for part's from the US, I've had part's on order from year one since February with no ETA and the bell housing from Ohio for the A833 has been in a container since march. It's last known whereabouts was the Bahamas :banghead:
Anyway, all of the front suspension is rebuilt, the 8 3/4 axle has been rebuilt but I'm in the process of relocating the leaf springs so Im going to be looking for a spare axle if anyone knows of one for sale???
I've managed so seam weld the whole chassis for some extra strength, the bonnet, wings(fenders) and doors are pretty much ready for their first coat of primer. All in all, the progress is going well. More updates to come. :thumbright:
Attachments
DSC_0546.JPG
DSC_0546.JPG (249.8 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0560.JPG
DSC_0560.JPG (269.02 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0568.JPG
DSC_0568.JPG (267.56 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0587.JPG
DSC_0587.JPG (284.23 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0595.JPG
DSC_0595.JPG (260.13 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0596.JPG
DSC_0596.JPG (266.27 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0603.JPG
DSC_0603.JPG (243.02 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0626.JPG
DSC_0626.JPG (258.05 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0630.JPG
DSC_0630.JPG (260.61 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0632.JPG
DSC_0632.JPG (258.89 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0658.JPG
DSC_0658.JPG (283.25 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0678.JPG
DSC_0678.JPG (280.25 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0682.JPG
DSC_0682.JPG (282.85 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0695_1624827334613.JPG
DSC_0695_1624827334613.JPG (251.73 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0763_1624827329081.JPG
DSC_0763_1624827329081.JPG (242.49 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0765.JPG
DSC_0765.JPG (252.72 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0795.JPG
DSC_0795.JPG (266.99 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0796.JPG
DSC_0796.JPG (240.7 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
DSC_0798.JPG
DSC_0798.JPG (229.13 KiB) Viewed 3670 times
User avatar
Pete
Posts: 21944
Joined: Sun Apr 18, 04 10:49 pm
Location: MMA Chairman

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by Pete »

We have some immensely talented people in this club!
Pete Wiseman; Cambridge.

Mopar by the grace of God
User avatar
cadboy
Posts: 2203
Joined: Thu Mar 21, 13 5:05 pm
Location: Worcester

Re: My 73 Barracuda build

Post by cadboy »

Yes that is some great work going on there :thumbright: :thumbright:
well done
Post Reply