Rum Runner (1973 Barracuda)

[SBDave]

Here's my pile, a 1973 Barracuda. It's got a 318, 904 slap stick auto, 8 3/4 rear end, disc front, drum rear. The car came with shaved side lamps, smoothed dutchman panel (?), and smoothed rear lower valence. Also has HID head lights and flowmaster exhaust. Custom "Cuda" hockey stick. The engine sounds like it has a little cam, but not sure what exactly. Car was originally Rallye Red, then Plum Crazy and now In-Violet...I think (those purple paint names confuse me). Never thought I'd own a purple car, but after looking around for a year this was the only car that wasn't in too bad of shape or a show car.

I've done some work on it myself. I installed an XV level 1 suspension kit (Afco shocks, stiff torsion bars and leaf springs, adjustable strut rods). I have yet to install the sway bars from XV. I also rebuilt the whole front suspension, new poly bushings and ball joints, steering links and joints, machined rotors, machined the pads, rebuilt one of the calipers, installed new wheel bearings and gusseted the lower control arms. I also reinforced some of the frame in the front (rust damage).

My to do list and ideas:

-fix redneck modifications and rust
-subframe connectors
-tie the front frame together by a boxed radiator support
-larger diam x wide wheels (17x9 front and back?)
-275 wide rubber front and back
-stiffer steering box and gusset steering box mount
-manual trans (5 speed OD?)
-new rear end gears, add sure grip diff
-upgrade brakes
-engine mods (turbo? ...I want something unusual since I'm already a mopar black sheep)
-interior (nothing fancy, just functional)
-black out the chrome trim
-black & yellow license plate(?)
-flush mount windows(?)
-front bumper color match to car
-pre 1973 bumperettes (still can't believe they are called that)

This will be a slow project. I'm doing as much of the work as I can myself in my drive way. The car will get driven and will not be a show winner. Might take it to the track for an open track day a couple times a year but it will mostly be a cruiser. We call it the Purple People Eater or just The Purple Car. The guy that aligned it called it a rum runner. I'm not big on project names but liked how that sounds (hope there isn't another RR project).

I'm 25, live in Santa Barbara, CA and work for an off-road racing transaxle company. Oh and this is my first project car. Hope that didn't bore you.

-Dave