Plymouth HEMI Cuda de course

1974 Spa 24 Hours racer inspiration for Cuda fender enlargements

Some fellow racer lately asked me why I choose to enlarge the front and rear fenders like this.The answers is fairly logic: to do it the same way as Belgian endurance racer Pierre-Yves Bertinchamps did in 1974 when he prepared his Hemi'Cuda to race at the 24 Hours of Spa. This was the onl way to fit the huge slicks on 9 to 11x15" rims under there. We will content with 10x15" rims, which is still plenty!

The HEMI 426 feels at home in the Cuda

Here are a few pictures of the 426 HEMI V8, as it is installed by the MOPARSHOP. Sharp eyed readers will notice the racing power steering pump and compact racing alternator.

MOPARSHOP racing with the OLYCUDA in 2010

 
We are happy to announce that Germany's MOPARSHOP will continue to support Team Oly Express. As the racing schedule of our two car team is in its final planing steps, we can already be sure that the MOPARSHOP will insure perfect preparation and crew working for another season of HEMI 426 racing!

MOTUL to support Hemicuda in 2010 racing season

We are very happy to announce that our Hemicuda will rely on MOTUL's great 300V engine oil, synthetic transmission oil, RBF600 brake fluid, ATF power steering fluid and Inugel cooling fluid. MOTUL is also supporting the Olympia Charger, which is the Cuda's sister car. We are very happy that MOTUL has upped their support to our two car effort!

Hurst Airheart calipers on our HemiCuda

 

The Cuda is coming together nicely at the Moparshop. Here are the latest pictures. As you can see, the HEMI feels at home and the HURST Airheart calipers also found their place. Side glass, made of Lexan, was fitted in order to comply with the FIA Group 2 regulations. Next on the list is the fuel system and the dry sump tank. Stay tuned for the initial fire-up!

AAR Cuda brakes: Plymouth on mystery calipers

Two early shots of the calipers that were first used on the Gurney T/A Cudas. These are also represented on the FIA Group 2 homologation forms (FIA #5337). They are of the floating type, which is rather unusual in racing.

Hurst Airheart brake caliper on Trans-Am Plymouth Barracuda

Here an extremly rare picture of the T/A Cuda fitted with Hurst Airheart calipers. Thanks to Mike Camicia, who wend us this picture that came from Chrysler engineer Bob Tarozzi, we now have proof that Gurney did indeed use Hurst Airhearts, which were later unsed in NASCAR Winston Cup and on the IMSA Greenwood Corvettes, on his Trans-Am Plymouth racers!

Barracuda in IMSA race: Sid Rust at Road Atlanta

After their Trans-Am endeavours, the Barracuda's kept racing. Here is Sid Rust, who raced IMSA Camaros in th early 70s, in one of the ex-Gurney cars at Road Atlanta in 1981. It would be interesting to know what Sid does these days. Please post a comment if you have a hint.

In goes the 426: Barracuda now Hemi'Cuda

The guys at the MOPARSHOP are once mor emaking a great job. The Ray Barton built HEMI has now found its way in the engine compartment.

The Cuda has landed in Le Mans

40 years and two days after that Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins took Apollo 11 to the moon, our Cuda set its slick tires on the famous Le Mans track for the first time. Thanks to circuit director Patrick Coutant and press officer Magaly Seraphin, our Cuda could make a few laps this morning.