Home    Inventory    Services    Appraisals  Contact

Eleven races in six months, with all four U.S. automakers battling for the manufacturers' championship: There would never be another Trans-Am season like 1970. And there would never be another Barracuda like the 'Cuda AAR.

This body style was new for 1970 - riding a 108-inch wheelbase, but measuring six inches shorter, two inches lower and five inches wider than the Valiant-based 1969 Barracuda. Plymouth offered the new fish in three flavor's: run-of-the-pond Barracuda, luxurious Barracuda Gran Coupe and the apostrophized 'Cuda, shorter in name but longer on performance. 'Cudas could be ordered with 340, 383 or 440-cid V8s, or even a 426 Hemi. Now Plymouth had a pony to match the Mustang and Camaro, and it took the new 'Cuda racing to prove it.

Carroll Shelby's Mustangs had won the 5.0-liter class of the SCCA Trans-American Championship for Manufacturers in 1966 and 1967, and Camaros took the trophy in 1968 and 1969. With hopes of breaking the Big Two's lock, Plymouth hired Dan Gurney's All American Racers in Santa Ana, Calif., to build a Trans-Am 'Cuda.

In 1970, Trans-Am cars were still built up from stock bodies; the SCCA even required roll-up windows. Appearance had to remain absolutely stock, which meant no scoops or spoilers that weren't seen on the showroom floor. The rules demanded a stock block and heads, with displacement of 305 cubic inches or less and a single four-barrel carb. Stock meant a production run of 2500 units, or .4 percent of the marque's 1969 production, whichever was greater.

Chrysler Trans-Am manager Pete Hutchinson and engine builder Keith Black destroked the small-block 340 to 303.8 cubic inches and developed new cast-iron heads with pushrod holes shifted slightly to permit bigger ports. Early on, Chrysler reported 460 hp, but development produced more as the season progressed.

The street version featured the same block and offset-pushrod heads, but without the bigger port's. Still, with the full 340 cubic inches, three two-barrel Holleys on an Edelbrock aluminum manifold and low-restriction, side-exit exhaust, the street mill made 290 hp at 5000 rpm and 345 lb ft of torque at 3400. The street car packed heavy-duty springs, power front disc brakes, a four-speed transmission and an 8.75-inch Sure-Grip axle. Exterior identification included a remote control racing mirror, a racing spoiler and a bold strobe stripe comprising 75 individual segments of decreasing width. Plymouth priced the 'Cuda at $3,966, and named it AAR in honor of Gurney's operation.
 
This 'Cuda convertible has been nut and bolt restored to better than new condition AAR specifications. The soft buckets hug the floor in a wide, dark cockpit brightened only by accents of plastic and paper wood. The 340 6-Pack, built completely to AAR spec, idles quietly, but open the throttle and it screams! Acceleration is simply fabulous. Even with all 3 carburetors, the 'Cuda never stumbles or falters when driven less aggressively.

Plymouth built 55,499 Barracudas (2727 AARs) in 1970. Far fewer convertible 'Cudas were built, no 'Cuda AAR Converibles were built......if there were 1 of 1, it would be this car, since there are none......it is 1 of 0.

Jasper 816.674.7244     Shawn 816.308.0351

Help@MMBrokers.com

 

SHIPPING INFORMATION
 We also handle transporting all over the United States as well as outside of the United States. So if you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to ask, again good luck and happy bidding

Need your classic car appraised? Click here!

 

Need your classic car appraised? Click here!

 
TERMS OF SALE

By placing a bid on this vehicle you are entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the above-described vehicle. We reserve the right to cancel all existing bids and end the auction early should the item no longer be available for sale.

I have tried to describe this car to the best of my ability. This car is being sold "as is" without return for any reason. The BUYER/BIDDER understands that the above listed automobile is being sold As-Is, with no other representations or guaranties, either verbal or written, concerning the condition of said automobile.  The SELLER assumes no liability once the automobile leaves their (The SELLERS) possession.

Winner must contact us within 24 hours of auction end. A 1000.00 nonrefundable deposit must be paid within 48 hours of auction end. We will accept cash, money order, cashiers check, or wire transfer. Buyer can use Paypal if they agree to pay all fees and charges. If winner is not picking up the car in person, and having it shipped, payment is still due one week from auction end. The winner is responsible for ALL THE SHIPPING COSTS AND FEES. Winner is responsible for arranging shipment. Shipping and transport costs are the sole responsibility of the buyer, I will assist with the shipping arrangements if possible. If car is not fully paid for by the end of the seven days. I will leave negative feedback and file with Ebay.