Original Hemi Cuda Info.......

[Skypower]

Originally Posted by Liteweight

Back in the mid 80's, I started getting an accute need to own either an original LO Dart or BO Barracuda. Having owned an original 70 hemi cuda since 1976 the desire to have the ultimate of muscle cars needed to be fullfilled. There were basically 2 cars that stood out above all the rest for me. One was Paul Emiro's Barracuda, the other Tim Hennessey's Hemi Dart. At the time Paul's car was in a pearl white paint. There was some magazine coverage done on both cars, along with a video of a ride along of Paul's car. I must have it bad or something, because I must of watched that video 50 times, maybe more, & studied pictures of those cars for literally hours.
Very few people take these things out to stretch their legs, & I applaude Paul for having the Kahonnies to do that. Let's face it, they were never meant to be drivin on streets & simulate a freakin pissed off bear doing it.
Paul's car never came up for sale, and as carma goes, I now own Tim's car . Hmmm, who woulda thunk it????

liteweight

ps; still own that same 70 cuda today, & that particular Dart's been in my corral since 2001..

pss. Great to see you started this thread skypower. That black Barracuda in your avator yours? Is it a BO?

No I wish it was but it is an original big block car. 383 formula S. It is now sporting a 1966 Hemi .045 over, 4 speed, Dana 4.56, ladder bar, coilovers. Motor is getting ready to go in the car just trying figure out what bell housing I want to use. It will be a street car driven on a regular basis.
Motor made 550hp, 516tq on the dyno, with big tube headers so should have some more torque with my 2 1/8 tti's.

[Skypower]

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

I have lived in Tampa Bay most of my life. Oldsmar was the first dragstrip I went to. Now I live just a few minutes from where it was located. Now a
Sports park. I did race my street car at Oldsmar a few times. There were lots of really cool cars in the area when I grew up. I have owned my Camaro since I was 17. Now 54.

Great to have another Tampa guy on here. Did you you ever run your car out on the bridge back in the day. I spent most weekends out at gandy from 79-85. I had a bunch of Mopars back then. 70 340 challenger plum crazy, then 69 1/2 GTS Dart, then my first 68 Cuda, and finally a 69 1/2 440 six pack superbee with lift off hood and Dana, 4 speed. I miss that car.

[Charlie A]

Originally Posted by Steve1118

This is the original Hemi Cuda that belongs to Jimmy Lydon from Pittsburgh. At one time it was owned by Jimmy DeFrank, and Rick Houser drove it way back. Lydon has had it a long time....and, yes, it is in his game room at his home.

No kidding.

[mopar68]

Originally Posted by Skypower

No I wish it was but it is an original big block car. 383 formula S. It is now sporting a 1966 Hemi .045 over, 4 speed, Dana 4.56, ladder bar, coilovers.

Argh! Get those Chrysler Super Stock springs with a pinion snubber back in there!

M68

[mopar68]

M68

[mopar68]

M68

[Mike Pearson]

Originally Posted by Skypower

Great to have another Tampa guy on here. Did you you ever run your car out on the bridge back in the day. I spent most weekends out at gandy from 79-85. I had a bunch of Mopars back then. 70 340 challenger plum crazy, then 69 1/2 GTS Dart, then my first 68 Cuda, and finally a 69 1/2 440 six pack superbee with lift off hood and Dana, 4 speed. I miss that car.

I hung out in the Clearwater area. Street raced on the Coutney Campbell causeway. I had a 68 mustang. 302 factory 4 bbl 4 speed car. A few mods. Ran high 13's. It was a fun ride. Probably 76-77. Then I got the camaro and started racing at the track. I am sure we know some of the same people.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Arlen Vanke (1969 Photo)

Dragway 42 (Salem, Ohio)

AHRA Classs = B/HR

[Charlie A]

[Charlie A]