Glen Baugus’s incredibly potent FAST-injected ’72 Cuda
The classic ‘Cuda shape is a favorite with muscle car fans. With the major design change in 1970, the ‘Cuda drew in a totally new crowd of Mopar fans who found the new E-body to be one of the best looking cars of all time. Paired with its longer wheelbase Dodge Challenger cousin, these new Mopars were in a class by them selves and set down a legacy that still makes these cars highly desirability today – just ask any muscle car collections with a Barrett Jackson auction bidding paddle in their hand.
 This Cuda features Air Ride suspension that allows it to be
dropped down for a cool look when parked. |
 Glen Baugus wanted to retain the classic ‘Cuda shape
but enhance that muscle car look. |
 The Mopar 6.1-liter hemi sports twin Paxtons and FAST electronic engine
management systems for both the engine and the transmission. |
Glen Baugus, from Dexter Missouri, obviously loved the ‘Cuda shape as well. His ’72 “fish” is a two and a half year labor of love that runs as strong as it looks. Working closely with Ron’s Motorsports, the car has been highly modified with the best stuff available. At the heart of this Real Red Plymouth is the twin Paxton supercharged 6.1-liter Dodge hemi. Beautifully sculpted into the under hood area, this engine is one of the best-engineered drive trains we have yet to experience. Complete with FAST XIM and XFI engine management as well as FAST controls on the Chrysler 545 5-speed automatic transmission, this is a complete state-of-the-art computer tuned machine.
The suspension is as sophisticated as the engine using Air Ride technology shocks with the Unibody steel frame and Magnum Force Racing independent front suspension. The rear end is a 3.70:w ratio Currie unit cut down and enhanced with a Detroit TruTrac limited slip system. Wilwood brakes are used all around and a Flaming River column and modified Ford rack and pinion steering box is used to direct the Billet Specialties Fuelie wheels and BFG tires. Baugus uses 18 x 8-inch wheels up front wrapped by P245/45-18’s while beefy 20 x 10’s and P295/45 -20 push it along out back.
 The interior is completely custom and covered in leather.
The dashboard is a modified unit from a late model GTO. |
If the suspension is a thing of beauty, the interior is magic. Lewallen Interior of Cleveland, Tennessee designed and created the interior, which includes a modified GTO dashboard, Classic Instruments, Billet Specialties steering wheel, Lewallen-created custom seats and a Haywire wiring system. The stereo uses a Kenwood head unit with DVD and LCD system and both power boosters and speakers from Memphis Audio.
The exterior mods to the ‘Cuda were subtle but significant. As noted, the Real Red PPG paint makes a stunning statement – this is one Cuda that can’t hide. The front and rear bumpers were modified and tucked into the body and the lights are LED units to deliver great luminescence and a cool look. All of the factory emblems have been removed and the steel ram air hood was completely reworked by Ron’s but still retains the factory styling.
Photos by Cam Benty & David Fetherston
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