He reached into the back seat and brought out a 4" photo album containing all the images from his heart felt resto. Believe me there was no expense spared on this car. With an attention to detail and an eye on performance Mark transformed this awesome ebody into a street screaming sleeper. I asked Mark to send me some info on his car and some photo's. I hope you enjoy viewing his car as much as I did!

Mark's 73 Cuda!
Originally a Virginia drag car for 10 years, this Sassy Grass Green 1973 'Cuda has undergone a full nut and bolt restoration. This classic American Muscle car is a multiple award winning piece which was completed in the spring of 2000. Originally equipped with a 340 cu. in. 6pak motor, it has since been replaced by a 440 cu. in. big block with approximately 550 horse power.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION SPECS
The engine is a full roller motor which includes Crane Gold roller rockers, Comp roller lifters and Comp energizer roller cam. The 1967 block has been bored .30 over bringing the true displacement to 452 cu. in. The Edelbrock RPM aluminium heads are fitted with polished stainless swirlport valves. A forged crank has been chromed, worked and polished with rolled filets added to accommodate the Eagle "H" beam piston rods. The pistons are J.E. custom aluminium forged with a compression ratio of 10.4 to 1. The Mopar Performance M1 intake is topped off by a Holley 850 DP DF carb, which has had the bowls smoothed and choke horn removed.

The carb is fed by a Mallory 140+ electric fuel pump and ½ inch braided stainless fuel line from front to back. The high volume water pump is also a Mopar Performance piece along with a high volume oil pump. The oil pick-up has been modified and is now a hemi style ½ inch Milidon race pick-up. The 7 quart oil pan is also Milidon. The motor breaths through a set of Hooker Super Comp Ceramic Coated headers that have 2" primaries and 3 ½ inch collectors. The exhaust is 3 inch mandrel bent with a custom "X" pipe for equal flow through 2 chamber Flowmaster mufflers. The exhaust continues at a mandrel bent 2 ½ inch diameter from the mufflers out to the rear valance. Mopar Performance polished aluminium valve covers top off the motor and a modified 6 pak air cleaner with a K&N air filter finish the look. A polished Gryphon aluminium radiator cools the motor.

The 727 Torqueflite transmission has a Cheetah reverse manual valve body and custom "T" handle shifter modified with a neutral lock out for performance shifts with stock appearance. The transmission has been completely rebuilt using diesel components for durability. To date, the car has run an 11.7 sec quarter mile at 118 mph.

BODY AND CHASSIS
The body has been completely disassembled and stripped. All panels are 100 % rust free and straight. Inner body panels are painted with Dupont Centari. The body has two coats of Dupont Croma base and three coats of Dupont Croma clear. The car has been wet sanded and polished and the finish is excellent. The body stripe is a 1970 440 "Hockey Stick" in matte black. The underneath of the car is detailed in black frame epoxy. All front and rear chrome has been redone by the "Plating House". The aluminium trim has been stripped and polished including hard to find upper door and quarter glass trim. The front grill and lower valance are correct for the year and have been matched to original finish as best as possible. A 1971 "Go Wing" in matte black is located on the trunk deck. The trunk has also been restored and includes a restored jack, 14 inch Rallye spare and original floor mat. The car has 15 inch Rallyes all around with BF Goodrich radial TA'S. Fronts are 225 70R 15 and the rears are 265 60R 15 on a custom 9" Rallye rim. The front "A" arms are tubular chromoly and the rear Mopar Super Stock leaf springs have been moved inward as far as possible without requiring the frame to be cut. The rear end housing has been powder coated and a 3.55 gear set has been installed with a brand new Auburn posi unit. A drive shaft girdle is used for safety and reliability over the standard U-bolt straps. The frame has been tied together using customs ties that follow the floor panels but do not cut into them. The front power disc brakes have been completely done as well as the rear drums. All brake components have been replaced with higher quality replacements and the power assist unit has been rebuilt.

INTERIOR
The interior of the car has been completely redone. All upholstery has been replaced and new carpet and headliner installed. The dash pad has been replaced with a new one from Ultimate Rides in El Paso, Texas. The Rallye dash has been taken apart and cleaned. The dash frame has been sand blasted and painted, including the ash tray! Steering wheel and column have been refurbished and are in excellent condition. The centre console is also in great shape.

*As a side note Mark has indicated that he would be willing to part with his Cuda if the right buyer came along. If you are interested in this Cuda feel free to email Mark directly at 73cuda@rogers.com.