This rare 340-motivated ’Cuda drop-
top is one of the best in existence. The
original FJ6 car had been torn down for
restoration when Steve purchased it. He
took some liberties with the restoration,
but it’s still a true 340/four-speed ride.GREEN ENERGY
48 SEPTEMBER 2019
AT A GLANCE
1971 340 ’CUDA CONVERTIBLE
Owned by: Steve Klein
Restored by: Jeff Saranich, Dino Delponte
Engine: 340ci (bored to 376) V-8
Transmission: A833 4-speed manual
Rearend: 8¾ with 3.91 gears and Sure Grip
Interior: White vinyl bucket
Wheels: 15x7 steel
Tires: 235/60R15 BFGoodrich Radial T/A
Special parts: Factory options include Rallye
gauges, power steering, power brakes, power top,
dual painted racing mirrors, front and rear spoilers,
and fender-mounted turn signals. Owner added
Shaker hood, elastomeric bumpers, billboards,
and foglights.“I’d love to have the
paperwork back with the car”
1971 340 ’Cuda
Convertible
Over the years, Steve tried to get his
original 383 Sassy Grass Green convertible
back from the new owner, but the man just
wouldn’t budge. So he was determined not
only to get another FJ6 convertible, but
also to get the best one made while he was
at it. He put feelers out to all his friends in
the business.
Finally he got a hit. “My friend Dave
Mamulski heard about a FJ6 ’Cuda convert-
ible that was disassembled in a body shop
in Pennsylvania for more than a decade,”
says Steve. After some investigating, Steve
found out the car was up for restoration,
but the owner had a hard time finding the
N.O.S. parts he wanted. So it dragged on
until finally the owner decided to give up.
Dave bought the car, and then decided
he had too much on his plate. He then
gave Steve the opportunity to buy it. Steve
pounced on the deal, knowing that a 340
motivated four-speed ’Cuda convertible in
FJ6-coded paint would be the best car he
could possibly find.
Once Steve brought the car home, he
hired good friend and Mopar whisperer
Jeff Saranich out of Shelton, Connecticut,
to head up the restoration. Jeff’s had
plenty of experience handling these E-
body machines and was up to the task of
bringing the convertible back to primo
condition.
Jeff worked extensively on the body and
paint, and even rebuilt the A833 transmis-
sion. Local engine guru Dino Delponte re-
built the 340 motor, stroking it to 376 ci in
the process, while keeping it looking bone
stock. While this was happening, Steve
sourced the ’Cuda’s needed parts and fed
them to Jeff. A little at a time, Jeff got the
parts needed to assemble the convertible.
Though this ride was a nicely optioned
’Cuda, Steve decided to take a few liber-
ties in its restoration. “I added the Shaker
hood, elastomeric bumpers, billboards,
and foglights because these are the things
I always wanted on my dream ’Cuda,” he
says. But the bottom line is this is an origi-nal 340, four-speed, Sassy Grass Green
convertible with a white interior and front
and rear spoilers, making it one of the best
open-air ’Cudas in existence.
One thing that Steve is still looking for
is the build sheet, which was passed on by
past owner Danny Rhoden to next owner
Jim Capice, but didn’t come with the car
when he purchased it. “I’d love to have the
paperwork back with the car, so I hope I
might get some leads in the future.” You
can contact him directly at crashklein@
aol.com.The Future
Steve loves having his prized ’Cudas in
his garage. “I still get a kick out of driving
them, as it brings me back to the days
where that 383 ’Cuda convertible was my
everyday driver,” he says.
He has also been lucky enough to have
owned several 440/6-barrel and Hemi
cars, in both coupe and convertible form,
including the well-known “Bass Boat” 1970
Hemi ’Cuda convertible with a wild 1970s
custom flake paint job. Steve sold it back in
2007, and the new owner brought it back
to stock. Jerry Heasley covered the freshly
rebuilt ’Cuda for MCR, Aug. 2011 (“Crazy
’Cuda”).
Steve’s seen more than a dozen ’Cudas
come and go, but the FJ6 cars hold a spe-
cial place in his heart. Today the cars still
see road time and are a fan favorite with
his daughters Teagan, Kaela, and Haley.
Even wife Rosemary likes the looks of the
Sassy Grass Green cars, which is a definite
plus in Steve’s eyes.