1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda WIP - Finished! Outdoor Pics!

I'm starting another build and I was looking for some inspiration in an old magazine and ran across this 71 Cuda 440 Clone.  I have this kit in the closet and it doesn't look too complicated so here I go! I don't have the Sassy Grass Green paint but I do have a bottle of Lime Green metallic that is a 70 Plymouth color and will probably pass for the Amber Sherwood Poly for 1971.  Its a little darker but should work. I will be able to do another vinyl top which I enjoyed on the 67 Chevelle I built and I think i still have a few B F Goodrich radials somewhere around here. So its time to get started!  Thanks for looking!

If you cannot have a good time, what kinda time can you have? JR

Next on the bench: 1971 Plymouth Cuda, 53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, 56 Chevy Bel Air, 64 Ford Galaxie 500,  maybe not in this order.

I'll be watching to see what you can do with this, Jr!

 "That's Spenser with an "S", like the poet." Robert Urich Spenser For Hire 1985 

On my bench-1965 Dodge A100 Pickup; 1971 Plymouth Duster 340+6

Classic Plastic Model Club 

this should be a good one.  good luck Jr.

Good luck with the 'Cuda JR...it should look stellar when it's finished!

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I will be watching Jr, l always enjoy you wip builds...Slusher.....

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I will be watching Jr, l always enjoy you wip builds...Slusher.....

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Thanks, all!  I appreciate the encouragement!  I'm not much for correcting kit flaws and I guess there are some in this kit. I looked at the window opening and it looked much too big. Also the top of the door is not straight. It seems to me there ought to be a ledge on top of the door as that is where the mirror should mount at least for the clone I am building. I don't know if you can see this but I cut and glued a couple of strips of styrene to the top of the door. Now I plan to fill with putty and build a gradual rise to the top of the door. Hope this works! Thanks for looking!

If you cannot have a good time, what kinda time can you have? JR

Next on the bench: 1971 Plymouth Cuda, 53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, 56 Chevy Bel Air, 64 Ford Galaxie 500,  maybe not in this order.

Jr, you might want to do a quick mockup with the windows and the interior bucket to make sure it all fits together.  I am working on my '70 'Cuda right now and I noticed the gap, although it is not as big as the amount of strips you have added to yours is.  To me, the gap is for the door window in the down position.  Just a heads- up for you.

 "That's Spenser with an "S", like the poet." Robert Urich Spenser For Hire 1985 

On my bench-1965 Dodge A100 Pickup; 1971 Plymouth Duster 340+6

Classic Plastic Model Club 

Thanks, MrMike!  I appreciate your thought!  I did test-fit the interior bucket with one side done and I think it will fit.  I'm really not trying to fill the gap between the door and the bucket but trying to level out the door and build a shelf on the top of the door for the mirror. The top of the door shouldn't have a curve in it at least looking at the pictures that I have.

Here's what I done since the last picture.  I added a length of .030 rod and then fill in the center brtween the rod and the previous piece of strip that I had glued in. Although I have the curvature of the rod on the top of the door the door edge is straight.  I may have to notch the mirror base to sit in on top of the door but I think this will work with just a little bit of putty to fill the small gap is the plastic strip I used to fill.  Thanks for looking!

If you cannot have a good time, what kinda time can you have? JR

Next on the bench: 1971 Plymouth Cuda, 53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, 56 Chevy Bel Air, 64 Ford Galaxie 500,  maybe not in this order.

OK, I have straightened the top of the door, have a place to mount the mirror and the window opening doesn't look like one in a Gremlin. Only a 1 spot to putty and then sand down the edge just above the door handle and it's on to the left side!  Thanks for looking!

If you cannot have a good time, what kinda time can you have? JR

Next on the bench: 1971 Plymouth Cuda, 53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, 56 Chevy Bel Air, 64 Ford Galaxie 500,  maybe not in this order.

Left side is done and although it didn't come out identical to the right it will do and I can hang a mirror on the sill. I did cut down the interior to accoumodate the narrower width. Does anyone now if the front assembly can glue on and still sneak the engine/frame assembly in?  I want to try to eliminate the glue seam on the front fenders?

 I also have to remove the right turn signal indicator as i have already removed the left side and then put in the .020 rod around the rear window for the trim on the vinyl top. Then sand down the primer to softem some of the edges and I'll be ready for paint.  Also need to work on the hood and remove hood pins for some PE ones. I did buy a can of sublime green as I was worried that the darker green wouldn't have enough contrast with the black.  Thanks for looking!

If you cannot have a good time, what kinda time can you have? JR

Next on the bench: 1971 Plymouth Cuda, 53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, 56 Chevy Bel Air, 64 Ford Galaxie 500,  maybe not in this order.

JR, unfortunately you cannot glue the grille to the body and be able to slip the chassis afterwards.  What I did on my 'Cuda Convertible was to remove the fender lowers from the front valance.

Glue and putty the fender lowers to the front fenders.

I added some styrene to the end of the valance panel to make up for the cutting of the fenders lowers.  Blend this in with putty and add the grille after the chassis is installed.

I hope this helps you JR.  PM me if you need any extra advise or help.

 "That's Spenser with an "S", like the poet." Robert Urich Spenser For Hire 1985 

On my bench-1965 Dodge A100 Pickup; 1971 Plymouth Duster 340+6

Classic Plastic Model Club 

Looks like you've got a good project going there and with that hemi, you'll have plenty of 'muscle."

High octane

Thanks, MrMike!  That looks like a good way to do it!  I think I'll give that a try. More putty work - my favorite!

Thanks Hi octane for your comment as well! 

If you cannot have a good time, what kinda time can you have? JR

Next on the bench: 1971 Plymouth Cuda, 53 Studebaker Starliner Coupe, 56 Chevy Bel Air, 64 Ford Galaxie 500,  maybe not in this order.