1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda (One of 2,724 Produced)

Factory Paint Correct “Burnt Orange” (Code FK3)

“TRANS AM” package (Code A53):

• 340 Six pack V-8

• Includes 4 Speed Manual (standard equip.)

• Fiberglass Hood (Flat Black w/ Scoop and factory hood pins)

• Special Exhaust Outlets

Other Significant Factory Options:

• Bucket Seats (C55)

• Rallye Instrument Cluster (A62)

• Duck Tail Spoiler (J82)

• “AAR” Trans Am Stripes (V6H)

This beautiful “Factory Paint Correct” 340 Six Pack Small Block beast has undergone an extremely well done rotisserie restoration by Midwest Muscle & Classic Car Restorations of Slinger, Wisconsin.

A change direction of the current owner’s car collection has this beautiful Cuda and three other collector vehicles up for sale to make room for new additions.

Specifications:

• Correct, 340 cubic inch Chrysler V8

• Correct 4.10 gears

• Correct AAR-spec exhaust

• Correct Black interior

• Original A833 4-speed transmission

• Correct AAR-spec suspension

• Correct staggered wheels and tires Correct 8.75-inch rear end

• Correct power front disc and rear drum brakes

• Correct Burnt Orange Metallic paint

Factory characteristics as shown by its original fender tags (see photos).

TAG 1:E55: 340 cubic inch V8 that’s fitted with 6-Barrel carburetion

• D21: Heavy duty 4-speed manual transmission

• B: Plymouth Barracuda

• S:Special

• 23: 2-door hardtop

• J: 340 cubic inch V8 that utilizes 6-Barrel carburetion to achieve 290 horsepower0: 1970 model year

• B: Assembled at Chrysler’s Dodge Main manufacturing facility in Hamtramck, Michigan294214: Sequence number

• FK5: Deep Burnt Orange Metallic paintH: High grade trim6: Vinyl bucket seatsX9: Black interior000: Full door panels

• 403: Assembled on April 3rd, 1970

• M03422: Order number

• V1X: Black vinyl top

• A01: Light Package

• A21: Elastomeric Front Bumper Group

• A53: Trans Am Package

• A62: Rallye instrument cluster

• B51: Power-assisted brakes

• C55: Bucket seats

• G36: Outside mirrors (left hand remote, right hand manual)

• J45: Hood pins

• J82: Duck tail spoiler

• L31: Fender-mount turn signal indicators

• M21: Roof drip rail moldings

• M88: Quarter panel tape treatment

• N44: AAR Trans Am exhaust

• N85: Tachometer

• N94: Fiberglass, fresh air hood

• R11: Music Master AM radio

• V6H: Black, longitudinal Trans Am stripes

• Y05: Built to U.S. specifications26: 26-inch radiator

• EN: End of codes1: Assembly line 1

TAG 2:

• TRANS AM:

Complete Description:

This E-Body’s correct FK5 Burnt Orange Metallic looks great thanks to a top notch restoration performed by Midwest Muscle & Classic Car Restorations of Slinger, Wisconsin. And not surprisingly, Wisconsin is where our story begins, as that’s where this ‘Cuda spent most of its life. In the late 90s, devoid of its original engine, the car was found in a barn, haphazardly restored and sold for a tidy profit. Its new owner commenced years of daily use, and the subsequent weathering of that daily use. And when its current owner came to the rescue, he coordinated a long-term, rotisserie reboot from the frame up. Naturally, everything on this coupe presents well, with no noteworthy flaws or wrinkles found anywhere. That means fit and finish is spot on, with a modern two-stage reflecting a luster that vintage Chrysler sprayers could never touch. In traditional All American Racers style, that luster is complemented by a sinister hood treatment and equally distinctive strobe stripes. The result is one super slick road warrior that wraps brutal performance and a high level of accuracy in classic Mopar lines and killer good looks.

Designed to bridge the gap between track and street, this AAR’s race-bred look is backed by a long list of supporting details. At the front of the car, a Satin Black and stainless-trimmed grille hangs clear headlights and square parking lamps above a correct elastomeric bumper, large driving lights and unique ‘eyebrow’ spoilers. Behind that grille, an exclusive fiberglass hood anchors two small pins in front of clean glass that’s framed in fresh stainless trim, body-matched sport mirrors and a correct vinyl top. At the sides of that hood, flush door handles, camo-ed turn signal indicators and a gold Chrysler Pentastar emblem combine with chrome, side-exit exhaust tips to provide an authentic, race-ready appearance. And at the back of the car, a traditional ‘Cuda valence centers chrome-trimmed tail lights and a small “’cuda” emblem between a Satin Black ‘ducktail’ and thin, chrome bumper.

Pull the pins on this Cuda’s lightweight hood and you’ll find a correct, 340 cubic inch LA V8 that’s authenticated by a 3577130TA casting number and November (11) 24th (24) of 1969 (9) casting date. Although SCCA Trans Am race cars were limited to 302 cubic inches, Plymouth stuck to the tried and true “no replacement for displacement” rule for street applications. That means this car received a powerplant that was specifically designed for high performance turnpike warriors. Thanks to its 2-barrel Holley carburetors, correct Edelbrock intake, high performance points distributor, high-flow cylinder heads and unique internals, it turns hefty 10.5 to 1 compression into 315 fire-breathing horses. That said; SCCA regulations and increasing insurance costs forced Chrysler to actually underrate the mill’s output to just 290 horses.

In reality, the car easily disposes of most ‘equally powered’ stoplight challengers. Whatever the number, this engine’s spotless bay is in brilliant, show-ready condition, with immaculate detailing and exact finishes throughout. Awesome Burnt Orange fenders provide a surprising contrast to its glossy layer of Hemi Orange skin. A bright air cleaner looks great peeking through the aforementioned hood. As with most of today’s best restored Mopars, every detail has been correctly duplicated or returned to a convincing level of authenticity. Hoist this powerful pony car and you’ll find exceptionally clean floors that have been painted and undercoated much as the factory would have left them. The high-winding small block churns an original A833 4-speed that’s validated by a matching 294214 partial VIN. That transmission twists torque to a heavy duty, 8.75-inch rear end that’s fitted with gnarly, acceleration-inducing 4.10s. The car’s suspension has been fully rebuilt to include a factory steering rack, Cosmoline-replicating torsion bars and fresh power front disc and rear drum brakes. As expected, those 11-inch, AAR-exclusive drums are accompanied by specially tuned shocks and re-cambered springs that tilt the car to accommodate its unique exhaust pipes. Speaking of that exhaust, the usual cobbled ‘muffler shop special’ look has been exchanged for a clean, OEM-style appearance. And hooking all that mechanical prowess to the pavement is a set of restored Rallye wheels which spin E60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs in front of G60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs to employ one of the first applications of staggered tire sizing. In looking at this awesome AAR’s super clean undercarriage you realize this is a car that sees minimal road time. Judging by the sheen on its weather-free stainless, it seems to have had very little exposure to the elements since its 2011 restoration.

Inside the car’s stalwart vinyl interior is simple and purposeful. The original high-back bucket seats look good and feel comfortable thanks to fresh Legendary covers. Below those seats, new black carpet centers a familiar Hurst pistol grip shifter between carpeted and color-keyed “‘cuda” floor mats. At the front of that carpet, a stock dash hangs restored Rallye instrumentation above a correct Chrysler Solid State radio. At the sides of that dash, molded panels proudly hang the “Cuda” name amid subtle stainless trim and simple chrome handles. A new headliner stretches from door to door and window to window. The driver keeps his bearing through a wood grain, three-spoke steering wheel. The passengers store essentials in a nicely finished trunk that includes a new mat along with the correct spare tire. The sale of this first class curve carver includes a copy of its original broadcast sheet, a stack of restoration receipts and a few pre-restoration photos.