I want to thank Brian K. for forwarding me a link that has been recently posted on a Cuda forum. During our conversation, the Roof profile of the vehicle was brought up regarding its design. Someone posting on that forum had commented how the Roof had been “raised” on this vehicle. That observation/comment is completely false.
Anyone familiar with automotive design knows that a 4 Door vehicle cannot have a 2 Door Fastback Roofline. The Rear Doors require enough head room for a Passenger to enter the vehicle comfortably. We lowered the Roof just over an inch to start with. The Belt-line was also lowered about the same distance. This had to be done in order for the Fenders and Quarter Panels to line up correctly with the tops of the Doors. Erroneous and false comments were made (about the Roof) during the construction of the vehicle and information was ignored about the Door Belt Moldings being lowered.
Below are side views of the vehicle with the Belt Molding Trim in place. Those pieces, along with the Stainless Drip Rail Molding, helped in framing the Window openings and eliminated the “larger” appearance. The addition of Wheel Opening Moldings also helps to streamline the side profile of the vehicle. The vehicle now exhibits the exact look we had planned for. It’s even more streamlined and “Sporty” than the regular production 4 Door vehicles that were actually built by Chrysler in the late Sixties & early Seventies.
