This thread brings back memories . . . my first new car was a '66 Cuda, ordered in late 65, with the Formula S performance package and fast ratio manual steering! Still can't believe my wife learned to drive on that car!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...udaPics002.jpg
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...udaPics003.jpg
Great handling lightweight car with nearly 50/50 weight distribution. It became quite a sleeper after I built up and installed a blueprinted and balanced 340 cu in. engine based on the early "X" block, the ancestor of the race blocks currently running in Nascar! However the lumpy idle sort of gave it away!
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...udaPics001.jpg
With ported and polished heads, it's a sweet running motor that's as smooth as silk up to 6000 rpm on hydraulic lifters! That block is about 10% heavier than the stock block but is seriously stout and good for about 700 hp! Almost a shame to run it on the street, but got a deal on it I couldn't pass up!
It was my daily driver for about 20 years and after putting about 250K miles on it, I'm currently about halfway thru "restification". Bodywork, paint and interior are mostly complete; currently working a custom wiring harness, with battery in trunk and a custom Vintage Air A/C installation. May rebuild the engine with a roller cam and EFI just to update things a bit!
It's currently way behind schedule due to interference from boating adventures and restoration, and a few bouts with retirement failure, otherwise known as work! Denny