The Crusty Cuda: Whole lotta Shakin' (N96) Goin' on!

[njsteve]

Very cool stuff. As for 71 shaker finishes, despite the black shaker dome edict, my old yellow 71 hemicuda ragtop came with an argent shaker. The previous owner I got it from back in 1986 indicated it was the original one to the car (and other photos of the same car from the 1970's show it with the same argent shaker).

Interesting to see that the info for the rear window louvers didn't mention having to have a vinyl top as mandatory. For some reason I thought it did require it but I guess not.

[CTBob]

Hey, Steve! Well a big “Doh!” from me on the not-thinkin’-about-“Exhibit-A” front! I vividly recall the day you brought the yellow ’71 hemicuda ragtop home, having braved/survived the snow/tortuous journey (replete with overturned tractor-trailers along the way); argent shaker bubble, and, all! (As a historical footnote, I, also, recall, your having told me how much you paid for it, and, me (incredulous), saying, “You paid (insert $ amount here) for a resto???!!!” Ahh… With the passage of time, and, in the proverbial cool light of reflection, what a bargain it seems like now! If only we could be so prescient about the future. Gotta polish up the crystal ball!)

…And, re: the backlight louvers, I, also, remember yer Rally Red 440+6 ‘Cuda with the set of ‘em on it -&- a black vinyl roof! ’Twas a super-sharp car! That brochure marked their introduction of availability. It mentions that they are N/A (not available) for ’70 on convertible, or SE, because the SE (and, Barracuda Gran Coupe) had the fiberglass rear window plug (à la the Daytona & Superbird) to accommodate the tiny back window, all of which was covered by the vinyl roof (like the Superbird). The plug changed the profile of the rear window to the extent that the louvers would not sit properly. Also, in all probability, they would be further obscuring an already even-more-limited view, as well as appearing aesthetically mismatched. I snapped a pic from the 1971 Dodge Data Book to see if there were any additional, or, different notes for the succeeding model year, and, it simply says “N/A Convertible,” ‘cause there wasn’t an SE model in the notably reduced ’71 Challenger lineup. (Fun fact! I acquired my ’71 Dodge Dealer Data -&- Color & Trim Manuals at the aforementioned ’84 MoPar Nats. They were from Grand Spaulding Dodge (as is my Charger). What’s so interesting (and, shouldn’t be too surprising) is that, though they are in excellent condition overall, the only pages which show any appreciable wear are the performance car sections, with Challenger, Scat Pack Cars, Charger, & Dart/Demon being the most looked at. Monaco/Polara, Coronet, & Station Wagons appear as if they’ve never been touched!)

[RS_COPO_Canuck]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Very cool stuff. As for 71 shaker finishes, despite the black shaker dome edict, my old yellow 71 hemicuda ragtop came with an argent shaker. The previous owner I got it from back in 1986 indicated it was the original one to the car (and other photos of the same car from the 1970's show it with the same argent shaker).

Interesting to see that the info for the rear window louvers didn't mention having to have a vinyl top as mandatory. For some reason I thought it did require it but I guess not.

Yes - Lots of original '71's with Argent Shakers.
I do know the rear window stainless was black on rear window louvred cars. It was on my 71 'Cuda

[RS_COPO_Canuck]

Originally Posted by njsteve

Very cool stuff. As for 71 shaker finishes, despite the black shaker dome edict, my old yellow 71 hemicuda ragtop came with an argent shaker. The previous owner I got it from back in 1986 indicated it was the original one to the car (and other photos of the same car from the 1970's show it with the same argent shaker).

Interesting to see that the info for the rear window louvers didn't mention having to have a vinyl top as mandatory. For some reason I thought it did require it but I guess not.

Yes - Lots of original '71's with Argent Shakers.
I do know the rear window stainless was black on rear window louvred cars. It was on my 71 'Cuda

[njsteve]

Thanks to 67Novaboy I have a F70x14 bias ply to use as my spare tire.

I was able to find a correct sized (though rusty)14x5-1/2 steel wheel off ebay from a seller in Rhode Island. After soaking it in four gallons of Evaporust for about a week I was able to get all the crustiness off it. I then used body filler to fill in the pits and it worked out pretty well.

It is probably from the mid 1970's so I am happy since I only paid $45 for it instead of several hundred for a part-number-perfect example of a 1970 rim. This one is a 3699402 rim which is stamped in tiny numbers above the valve stem hole which is totally not visible when the spare is mounted in the car. It also has a 4026530 sticker inside the rim. Anyone have any idea what its actually from or the date range?