There are honestly very few opportunities that people get to buy something that can rightfully be claimed as “the first” or “the only”. Even in the automotive world where things are numbered, serialized, and documented, things have happened over the years shattering people’s idea of cars that were supposed to be one off or non-existent. In the case of this unique car or rolling shell, all of the evidence needed to prove it is exactly what the seller claims is present. This is the 1974 ‘Cuda tooling proof body. This is quite literally the first body that came down the assembly line and it was used to determine if the processes in place were going to make the body to the standard that Chrysler wanted before they went into full production.
The VIN plates are stamped “Tooling Proof Body”, the thing has an awesome grid and a whole bunch of notes written on it, and there’s paperwork and history to tell the story of how this body was nearly acid dipped and turned into a pro stock car, twice. It has changed hands a few times but even though at least one of the owners thought it was a good idea to disassemble the thing, all the parts and pieces were recovered and the car is back to the way it should have been all along.
It is kind of a weird thing in the fact that actually using this body for anything but dragging around to shows would make it less valuable. Being that it has no VIN we’re not sure you could actually make a real car out of it and making said car out of it would turn it into “just another ‘Cuda”.
A cool piece of Mopar history you can own. The Craigslist ad is fantastic with all the details and history. Check it out below!
Check out the photos of this ‘Cuda Tooling Proof Body below and then hit the link!
wow that’s neat… the trick would be trying to figure out how to clear coat it to retain the markings without messing them up, then build it up and race it
I like where your head’s at!
Jay Leno surely has some room for this. C`mon Jay,save this from obscurity.
Only one problem, it’s a ’74. A couple years past Cuda prime…
Tell that to a guy driving a 77 Charger.