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NASH BRIDGES # 1


Texas Classic Cars of Dallas is proud to present this famous 'Cuda convertible. This car is known as Nash Bridges #1, used in the filming of the Nash Bridges television series starring Don Johnson. Four cars were produced for the series. This car is actually the lone real Cuda of the group and the 1st acquired for filming. The other cars were 318s. From the factory, this car was one of approximately 85 4-speed 340 convertible Cuda's produced in 1970.
This is a fully documented, completely restored example and is the sole Nash Bridges car now powered by the 426 Hemi
“Frank Bennetti, movieland car czar, was recruited by Don Johnson to acquire four matching Curious Yellow Cuda convertibles. Bennetti's frantic search for 'Cuda convertibles was on . He found the first car (VIN: BS27H0B163146) in the Los Angeles area the next day. It was a decent restoration of a 1970 'Cuda 340 automatic. The owner had converted it from a four-speed, and had kept all the parts needed to restore it back to manual shift. Bennetti's team pulled the 340 engine and replaced it with a warmed-over 360. When the four-speed was installed, a Lakewood scattershield was fitted at Don Johnson's personal request. Other modifications include the installation of a '71 front clip replete with a Shaker hood scoop. This car turned out to be Johnson's favorite of the group and was not to be used for jumps. But, in the first episode of the fall '96 season, this 'Cuda rocketed through a San Francisco intersection at low altitude and upon landing, the front end collapsed. The front end was then rebuilt with a heavy duty K member with heavy duty torsion bars, and more. This car has a rubber front bumper, whereas the other cars are painted steel. "


SUMMARY OF FEATURES:

“Nash Bridges # 1 Filming Car”
426 c.i. crate Hemi V8 / 425+HP / Custom Exhaust / Chrome Tips / Rear Valence Exits
4-Speed Manual & Pistol Grip Shifter
White Interior / Bucket Seating / Center Console
Fog Lights
Shaker Hood / Hood Pins
14-Inch Rally Wheels / Raised White Letter Tires
Front Disc Brakes
Mopar Collector's Guide quotes, "rest assured though, this is the primary first unit film car; imposters beware." MCG also calls this Cuda the mother of all Nash Bridges cars."
Excerpt from Mopar Muscle Magazine, February, '97 -
Since production of Nash Bridges ended, the car underwent two restorations. The 2nd restoration, in 2006 by Totally Auto, Inc., was done to very high standards. A 426/425+ Hemi V8 was installed as well. During filming, these cars were in a constant state of change.
The story of the Nash Bridges car began when Don Johnson called Frank Bennetti into his production office. Don told Frank, "This is the car I've got to have." He showed him a photo of Otis Chandler's '71 Hemi 'Cuda in a muscle car photo book. Other items requested by Johnson's production company were 1970 Parchment interior, working white convertible tops and non-descript white letter tires on 14-Inch Rally wheels.
The exterior was finished in a special shade to mimic Curious Yellow. It is said that under filming condition, the original Curious Yellow requested by Don Johnson emitted a green glow. To the movie camera, this shade is most correct.
The custom plastic license plate used it the filming is also included. Note that California was intentionally misspelled.
You could be the only Mopar lover around with the real deal Nash Bridges car! The toys are part of the deal too.
Many of our photos of this cult-classic 'Cuda were taken at the Dallas Love Field Frontiers of Flight Museum. If you find yourself in Dallas, Texas, be sure to visit our friends at the museum, located only minutes from our showroom.
All of the production cars were 1970 models fitted with 1971 features. This car was the only real 'Cuda of the group.
The original camera mount and cables are left in place. The trunk is also fitted with cables pertaining to the filming equipment.
The parchment white interior is in excellent condition throughout. This car features factory bucket seating along with the classic 4-speed pistol grip shifter and Rally gauge cluster with an additional tachometer. The door panels are excellent, complete with the remote driver's mirror. The door undersides are beautifully detailed and all rubber weather-strip was replaced during the restoration.
Under the hood is the iconic Hemi V8. This powerplant is conservatively rated at 425 horsepower. This example features custom headers to a free-flowing dual exhaust system. The firewall, inner fenders, and core support is clean and detailed throughout. The shaker hood assembly is also intact and ready for action.



The undercarriage is beautifully detailed. After the last nut & bolt bare-metal up restoration in 2006, this car has been babied and shown. It has scored 99 points in professional judging and is in excellent condition.
The trunk is clean and detailed, complete with a spare tire/wheel, jacking equipment, and television filming cables.
Working white convertible tops were a requirement of the Nash Bridges production company. This example showcases a quality top, completely re-done. The doors, hood, and trunk open and close correctly.
1970 would be the year that the Barracuda moved to the attractive E-body platform, shared with the Dodge Challenger. The Barracuda rode on a 2-inch shorter wheelbase, even though overall body dimensions were the same. The high strung performance variants of the Barracuda were known as 'Cuda’s.
The shaker hood assembly was available on all 'Cuda’s and standard on the HEMI.
The door tag was retained and confirms this to be a factory 'Cuda convertible originally equipped with the 340 V8. The serial number further confirms this to be the first Nash Bridges production car.
Classic 14-Inch Rally Wheels are wrapped in B.F. Goodrich Radial T/A tires.
The 'Cuda's gills are on prominent display along with the rest of this iconic muscle car.
Enjoy the remaining photos and feel free to contact Dave at 214-213-7072 or Maris at 214-616-2317 with any questions. This is your opportunity to own a piece of television and Mopar history, the Nash Bridges 'Cuda.