Well that pistol grip is good for at least 5 mph! Yea, anything over 120 in a "street car" back in the 80's, felt like you were about ready for lift off! Sounds like you had a nice ride!
Very sorry about your bro!
Sold that car when I needed money my second year of college (and a more reasonable ride). Sold if for $3k. Kid in my neighborhood bought it. He would rip by the house in 2nd gear at about 50mph. He blew the motor up within 6 months of owning it. Kid was a deush. I knew he would tear it up, didn't want to sell it to him. Had some miles on it & the interior was totally shot. Engine was okay but other than the headers me and Kev put on it, was fairly stock and certainly well used. The body was in great shape though. No accidents (that I new of), no dents, no nothing. I paid $3k for it and had it couple years. It was a pretty car though. Jet black, white interior.
Kevin was much more mechanic than I - talked me into the headers cause of a very small manifold leak on one side. Hell those headers were shoehorned into that engine compartment. Had to pull the starter off & pull the engine mount bolts out & lift the motor a bit just to slip the headers down in there. This is way beyond my mechanical interests.
Started her up with open headers and no pipes - now THAT sounded like a street rod.
The Cuda's had the dual exhaust ported out the back through rectangular openings in the rear...."fender"? What the hell do you call the fender thingy below the rear bumper? A valance?
Anyway, the pipes had about 47 custom bends in them to tuck them up under the car & up over the rear axle & angle up to the ports. We took the old pipes and pattern to the pipe bender and they custom bent them...took about 4 trips back each to tweak them to fit properly. Total pain in the ass. "See what you got us into Kevin - you gear head."
Wish I had that baby now. Think I can get one for $3k now?
Mine was all black, no white striping. Shaker hood, silver grille with red accents. SWEET looking car. (The pictures are NOT mine)