1971 Plymouth ‘Cuda Races the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
Jess Neal shows us what it takes to get to the top of Pikes Peak, set a record, and come back alive.
Jess Neal built the ‘Cuda himself with help from friend, Bob Hill. The front splitter on the car is an exact replica of the Gurney Trans-Am piece, pulled from the same molds. The only other fiberglass parts on the ’Cuda are the hood, decklid, and bumpers. The latter are held on with lightweight, custom-built aluminum brackets.
The engine is a Chrysler small-block built by Jess with a solid-roller Crane cam and aluminum W-5 heads. It dynod at 582 hp at 6,800 rpm. Jess wrote in his tech sheet that the mill is a 30-over 340 but we have some doubts.
Bob Hill slit the wheel openings in the steel fenders and added metal resulting in about 2 inches more tire clearance than a stock unit. When asked if the tires rub, Jess answered, “Only on the pavement.”
The ’Cuda weighs in at 2,925 pounds, thanks in part to its lightened interior and windowless frame, which is fine unless it rains.
Another weight saving mod on the ’Cuda is the door structure. Along with the glass, Jess removed the door beams and used a knockout punch to put more than 80 holes in the interior. Some of the holes are flanged for strength.
The ’Cuda’s plastic panels won’t miss the gravel and dirt on the new fully-paved course.
An unusual challenge for Pikes Peak racers is tire pressure. It actually changes as the altitude increases and street tires are not like slicks; low-pressure is not always sticky. The guys went from 24 psi front and 22 psi rear to 28 psi front and 26 psi rear.
The ’Cuda has a surprisingly stock suspension. Only the fiberglass rear leaf springs and possibly the Hotchkis Performance strut rods would startle the restorationists.
1971 Plymouth 'Cuda Conquers Pikes Peak! - HOT ROD Unlimited Episode 16Linkur á Hot Rod
http://blogs.hotrod.com/video-1971-plymouth-cuda-races-the-2012-pikes-peak-international-hill-climb-37115.html 
