Posted Feb 18 2010, 09:29 AM by Mike Garrett with 89 comment(s)

Hey Speedhunters! Love the site, been sifting through for a few years now, love how it effortlessly moves through such a variety of cars and related culture, from traditional rodding to flushed out drifters.

This is my '73 Plymouth 'Cuda, my first car, a long term project, and my introduction to working on cars. I drive it as often as i can, including 1500+ mile road trips through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of New Zealand.

It's currently a 4-speed small block, but i plan to put a 440 in it this year, and when I do it'll look like the image below, an homage to the factory Mopar drag cars from the late '60s.

The long term goal is to build it into a street driven race car, with 440ci small block, 6 pack EFI, 4-speed, GV overdrive, stock-style but fully updated suspension, full bare-carbon front end, and custom body work.

Here's an image -

Cheers!

- Aaron


Comments

Mario said:

Words cant describe the awesomeness!

February 18, 2010 9:45 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

rtryb13t2 said:

HOLY CRAP this thing is monstrous!!! If that final rendering comes to life, please put it here first.

February 18, 2010 9:47 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Zac said:

wow, this is one of the nicest and eye catching cudas i've seen, good luck on your project !

February 18, 2010 9:48 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

bd83fb said:

Holy hell that thing looks menacing!

February 18, 2010 9:54 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Lee said:

like it!

February 18, 2010 9:56 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Jeroen Willemsen said:

That's cool!!!!

February 18, 2010 10:01 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

dave.t said:

oohhh my gawd... so EVIL.  that's a streetfighter if I ever saw one.

you should check out the Pro-Touring.com forums if you haven't already.

February 18, 2010 10:08 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

MTR said:

It looks perfect just the way it is.

February 18, 2010 10:08 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

77 said:

I like it as it is, bamf beast!

February 18, 2010 10:12 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

oddman said:

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW dont you ever EVER change its looks.it looks AWESOME

February 18, 2010 10:13 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Dusty Duster said:

I'm loving the all-black "murdered-out" look.  Chrome is overrated.  

February 18, 2010 10:16 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

john said:

Love the stockcar wheels and stance.  Awesome.

February 18, 2010 10:17 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

elahs said:

wow! great looking cuda!

would to love a wallpaper size of the first one if possible.

February 18, 2010 10:17 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Spike said:

That is perfect! Love the look, especially the black steel rims, they just work!

February 18, 2010 10:18 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Slam_Duck said:

Oh My.... That is a angry looking machine!  looks like hes from in the Malbrough Reigon.... If so I hope I get to see this beast in person @ Americana in a couple of weeks! Massive ups on the Build, Gotta be one of the most tasteful builds goin on in the country at the moment! that fish is immense haha

February 18, 2010 10:20 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Quail said:

Beautiful!!! Awesome first car. I'm insanely jealous.

February 18, 2010 10:22 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Bardaff said:

I pretty like the actual version of the car, the project is extremely something else, not better, not worse, different... And it's a titan's work to come!

But now, it looks so as a beast, on its big balls tires! XD

Simple, but impressive...

Keep working!

February 18, 2010 10:24 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Saint said:

That last pic is Gangster!!!  Go for it!!!

February 18, 2010 10:32 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Swerv13 said:

First i must say, its a 73 cuda that looks more like its on the path to becoming a trans-am/Gmachine than a late 60s drag car. and this is a good thing, Love the way it looks now, and love the renderings you have in mind for it. Also amazed at how thos volks looks on even this, in the renderings,  I am sure there are so many other wheel options that will fit better for the look you want, im interested to see where you go from here.

February 18, 2010 10:34 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

pjal84 said:

That is entirely too ferocious ...brilliant work.

February 18, 2010 10:42 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

jb said:

final render lose the cuda and plymouth stickers

February 18, 2010 10:46 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

STJ said:

This is how a muscle car shoold look, not that SEMA crap! Roadwarrior style!

February 18, 2010 10:52 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

R34 said:

Here in Malaysia, "Kuda" is Malay for "Horse" so the plate is more appropriate for a Mustang but who cares; that car is sick as hell!! 440? Awesomeness!

February 18, 2010 10:54 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Nick said:

If I were you, I'd leave it as-is, I think it looks absolutely stellar. I've seen far too many resto-mods and pro-street builds, it's just boring. This on the other hand, is truly classic styling, particularly the wheel and tire combo. The simplicity of the bodywork is wonderful as well, not overly flashy or "modernized", just clean and classic.

I think it would be a shame for the vehicle in the photos to end up looking like the vehicle in the future renderings.

February 18, 2010 11:08 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

787-GD3 said:

Please finsh this project !!.. that would be one sick Cuda

February 18, 2010 11:13 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Robert said:

Holy ***, that car is phenomenal!! I admire your future plans, but let me put one in the bucket for "keep it as-is"; that is a truly fantastic car. And the fact that you're cruising around New Zealand in that thing just makes it that much more impressive. Kudos, sir.

February 18, 2010 11:15 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Jzx100-Touge said:

i new i had seen this car before somewhere? i think i have pic's og it from the beach hop, maybefore the sticker on the side went on............my god its menacing in real life i can tell you that......so rad..................MOPAR oh god yes!!!!

February 18, 2010 11:20 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

gotwell said:

bad ass

February 18, 2010 11:23 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Simon T said:

Woah that last rendering is EVIL! love it

February 18, 2010 11:24 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Acid said:

WOOHOOW! dang! greatest muscle-machine i've seen for such a long time. and hell, it's so simple :)

best tire choice for a black car. this looks so awesome oldschool but at the same time modern and cool :D great job and please do not change too much to it :)

February 18, 2010 11:28 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Dude said:

The most beautiful car I've ever seen =O

February 18, 2010 11:35 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Alfonzo said:

Looks like that thing would eat babies.  Mopar or no car?  ;)

February 18, 2010 11:54 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

rikismo said:

one of the most beautiful cars I've seen in a while!!!!

February 18, 2010 12:09 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

anDRONcha said:

Man, that's HOT!!! Love it =)

Put the pics in the Desktops

Wanna change the red Z =)

February 18, 2010 12:12 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Henry said:

Rad. I'm feelin that.

February 18, 2010 12:16 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Ben Comana said:

SOOO Sick! couldnt even imagine the orgasm driving that thing... well done sir! especially for a first car...

February 18, 2010 12:25 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Alfonzo said:

That thing looks like it would eat babies!  So evil.  Incredible job.  Mopar or no car? ;)

February 18, 2010 12:34 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

SamBang said:

NZ REP

February 18, 2010 12:37 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Daniel said:

wallpaper!

February 18, 2010 12:46 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

cot said:

That last image is inspiring. Awesome car.

February 18, 2010 12:50 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

NFS:]912 said:

LOOKS AWESOME. GOOD LUCK ;)

February 18, 2010 12:51 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

bobbb said:

deaaaaamn that last pic  (L)

February 18, 2010 1:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Nooz said:

A very nice machine but ARGGHH!!: don't put TE37's on it!!!!!!!!

February 18, 2010 1:18 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

RdS said:

Holy crap thats tough...

very stylish first car you've made yourself there. i like it as it is..!

February 18, 2010 1:26 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

skint said:

video to hear it please =))

February 18, 2010 1:40 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

anDRONcha said:

yeah... don't put te37s on it

they go perfect on a Skyline but not on Cuda

February 18, 2010 1:43 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Bardaff said:

Quite agree with Nick : there's more and more prostreet projects... better to do that with replicas, on tubular chassis (better handling in bonuss). The way your car is now is pure.

OK, it's your ride, then.

February 18, 2010 1:50 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Matt said:

NZ ftw

February 18, 2010 1:59 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

81whitefb said:

love this cuda, beautifal black paint and the yellow lettered tires just set off the coloring, i'm looking forward to seeing the car when its finished.

February 18, 2010 2:06 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Camaro67 said:

Awsome! Looks god whit the te37s!

February 18, 2010 2:16 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

RX7-addict said:

Don't kill this MONSTER!!!! I'm ok with the front spoiler lip but please please i beg you, don't put this ridiculous rims on this beast... Look at the tires at the first pic, they're pure orgasm!!! Don't change this!!!... oh i'm gonna cry... :P

February 18, 2010 2:23 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Seeberg said:

One word WALLPAPER!!!

February 18, 2010 2:51 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Dirge.exe said:

Freakin axe-murderer car. Children wet their pants when you come around the corner. SICK build!!

February 18, 2010 3:59 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Collins said:

That is the essence of Cuda meanness. Damn, that's hard.

February 18, 2010 4:39 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

gueask said:

damm i fall in love!

February 18, 2010 4:46 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Knightz_85 said:

wow..the most awesome Plymouth Cuda ive ever seen ^^,

February 18, 2010 4:51 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Knightz_85 said:

by the way...if no one here knows..."kuda" is a malay word and it mean horse ^^,

February 18, 2010 4:53 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

PHermosillo said:

Simply beatiful !

February 18, 2010 5:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Phil said:

I thought I recognised this, it was it at Beach Hop 2008. Are you going to show up this year Aaron?

February 18, 2010 5:21 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

mx83 said:

i like the cartton version of your car

February 18, 2010 6:16 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Andre Longuinhos said:

Ny drean CAR (F* its amazing)

February 18, 2010 6:48 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

got-rice said:

TE37s are nice, but I think other wheels would work better on the Cuda. Old school Works perhaps?

February 18, 2010 7:06 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Dan said:

This car is incredible as is! Doesn't need a thing! What a car!

February 18, 2010 7:19 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Abe from Welly said:

This makes me proud of the nz tuning car scene. enough of the crappy 80's japanese cars on shitty cheap rims and cut springs!!

February 18, 2010 7:47 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

James said:

You drive a work of art sir.  That's a beautiful example of American muscle.

February 18, 2010 8:13 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Mr.Gutsy said:

please please pretty please is there any way to get a desktop version of the first pic? I love this car sooo much

February 18, 2010 9:21 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Dane said:

Fantastic looking car, well done!

February 18, 2010 9:26 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

NuggetG60YorkshireUK said:

What the hell! - loving your 'Cuda man!! it looks tough - that is a classic old school muscle car - looking very mean & very moody!!

February 18, 2010 11:26 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Josh (UK) said:

I love the car as it looks now. Simple but so aggressive. I'm not as much a fan of these classics updated with all the carbon fibre but that's just my opinion. Great pics too!

February 19, 2010 12:40 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

lietzkenick said:

That is SWEET!

February 19, 2010 1:10 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

R.I.C. said:

This is A F'CKIN' AWESOME CAR!!

Desktops FTW!

February 19, 2010 3:08 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

haniffJ said:

This is perfect, most beautiful CUDA ever seen in my life. Sweet and simple. Awesome job.

February 19, 2010 3:15 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Yossarian said:

jaw dropping..... EPIC!

February 19, 2010 4:43 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

userjh5174 said:

Wicked ride. Looks like something the devil would drive.

February 19, 2010 4:50 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

JakeSwe said:

now this is some crazy ***... gief http://jake.dingblog.com/

February 19, 2010 6:50 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

TheOnig said:

Hot stuff mate! will keep an eye on it.

Did you render it in 3d?

February 19, 2010 9:00 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

r32taka said:

Fucking awesome!

February 19, 2010 9:05 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

IsaacGT-R said:

I actually love how it looks with TE37s

February 19, 2010 3:17 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

nismokid_5 said:

how i would love to have your LIFE. great car man i hoe you get everything you need to make it just like that rendering man awesome

February 19, 2010 10:06 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

kidd60 said:

awesome CUDA dude...

the final rendering is so HOT...!!!

February 19, 2010 11:26 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Siim said:

wallpaper of first!

February 20, 2010 2:13 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Suave Devil said:

Wallpaper please!!

February 20, 2010 9:28 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Kees said:

Very nice! The cuda is my favourite muscle car and yours looks real raw and menacing.

February 20, 2010 10:13 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Suave Devil said:

here you go guys, flickr page. Not wallpaper size, but bigger...

www.flickr.com/.../2466235571

February 20, 2010 12:14 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Mr.Vengeance said:

This car deserves to be on this site:

www.thestreetfighters.com

February 21, 2010 10:40 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Syn City said:

Okay, I'm usually not one for bashing anybody's car, but I'm sorry man, to me, you totally ruined the look of that Cuda. There's no two-tone paint, none of the factory chrome, and personally I've never been a big fan of the big yellow lettering on the tires, looks to much like NASCAR. And, I have to ask, the sticker on the side, why?

February 22, 2010 7:56 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

atomxz said:

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!

February 22, 2010 10:41 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

stallion said:

Wooow! It's really hot! The color, the shapes, the wheels... Looks really agressive

February 23, 2010 11:46 AM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters

Speedhunters said:

Here's a quick submission from Wellington, New Zealand. Speedhunters reader Aaron Beck works as a

December 29, 2010 11:27 PM [flag as inappropriate] Speedhunters