odern Rodding
opted to pay homage to Mopar’s contribution to hot rodding in a unique way by recognizing this four-year project, a 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda belonging to Kent and Lisa Matranga of Dana Point, California. To complete the celebration, MR has, elsewhere in this issue, a story on the 50th anniversary of the movie Vanishing Point. The 1970 Dodge Challenger from Vanishing Point and this 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda do share family similarities, all the while having their own characteristics and fan base. The third-gen ’Cuda was manufactured from 1970 to 1974 and was based on the Chrysler E-body (formerly an A-body).odern Rodding
opted to pay homage to Mopar’s contribution to hot rodding in a unique way by recognizing this four-year project, a 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda belonging to Kent and Lisa Matranga of Dana Point, California. To complete the celebration, MR has, elsewhere in this issue, a story on the 50th anniversary of the movie Vanishing Point. The 1970 Dodge Challenger from Vanishing Point and this 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda do share family similarities, all the while having their own characteristics and fan base. The third-gen ’Cuda was manufactured from 1970 to 1974 and was based on the Chrysler E-body (formerly an A-body).Let’s begin by covering some of the basics on where this ’Cuda came from and who is responsible for its build. Kent and Lisa are the proud owners but it should be noted Kent’s ideas made it through the “ink to paper” phase by way of Ragle Design. From here it was up to Andy Leach and his artisans in all things fabrication to body- and paintwork from Cal Auto Creations (Jim Karls, Eric Hanson, Matt Summers, Paul Caruana, Ethan Janson, Tommy Brandt, Steve Socha, Taylor Bonnstetter, Scott Clark, Scott Scheckloth, and Brian Dinsmore) to bring the ’Cuda to life.
Before we get too “deep” into the whys and wherefores, let’s provide the basics. The power comes by way of a Mopar supercharged 6.2L Hellcat Hemi spinning out 707 hp (go-juice comes via a custom 20-gallon tank), then moves through a Bowler Performance–prepped TREMEC T56 six-speed, and, finally, the power finds its way rearward to the Strange-prepped Dana 60 rearend. Other major “hands” in the project include the “master of spray” Charley Hutton of Charley Hutton’s Color Studio and his use of PPG paints. The basic color is a custom-mix self-titled Bronze Fire. The ’Cuda is covered in Billboard, Ionized Copper #926110, gray #908813, clear is FC03 Eggshell made up by using D8115 matte clearcoat, D8117 semigloss clearcoat, D8239 Slow HS hardener, and DT895 Hot Temperature reducer. For more outside “pop” Advanced Plating handled all of the brightwork, while additional machining was provided by Atomic Machine and Design. The one-off wheels were designed by Ragle Design, manufactured by EVOD Industries, and wrapped with Pirelli rubber. A quick look inside shows us the threadwork of Tracy Weaver of Recovery Room Interiors, which hides but doesn’t downplay the extensive wiring by Brad Nagel of Nagel Performance Wiring to keep everything properly charged.
The foundation for the 1971 ’Cuda chassis is based on a modified Magnum Force front clip that when mounted was elevated within the chassis to yield an even lower ride height. In back a Strange Dana 60 is surrounded by a custom four-link that’s coupled with RideTech coilovers, Baer Pro+ drilled-and-slotted 14-inch rotors and six-piston calipers, all pressed into service through a Corvette master cylinder. The Magnum Force IFS clip uses the same Baer brakes and RideTech coilovers along with power rack-and-pinion steering, tubular upper control arms, and 1-1/4-inch sway bar. The Magnum Force IFS clip also removes 100 pounds of factory weight, further enhancing the ride and handling characteristics. To make sure the ride and handling are optimized, the one-off EVOD wheels measure 18×8 for the front and 20×10 for the back and are then shod with Pirelli 245/45R18 and 295/45R20 rubber.
There’s no denying the good looks of this 1971 Plymouth ’Cuda but it’s the everyday driveability and performance that pulls it away—a long way—from the crowd. Should you find yourself in a place to take a long look, do it … it will be time well spent.