In 1970, Plymouth introduced its third-generation Barracuda. In order to promote its racing program outside the world of NASCAR, two identical factory-sponsored All American Racers (AAR) ‘Cudas were entered into the 1970 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Trans-Am Series. Together, the cars qualified for three pole positions but did not win any races that year, with the highest finishing result being a second-place finish by Swede Savage at Road America.
To meet homologation rules, Plymouth introduced the 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda AAR. Powered by a small-block 5.6-liter (340 cubic-inch) 6-barrel V8. The 6-barrel setup was created by three 2-barrel Holley carburetors on a specially crafted intake. The move was good enough for 290 horsepower (216 kW) and 345 lb.-ft. (468 Nm) of torque. A much different layout than the 340-based 5.0-liter (506 cubic-inch) V8s run in the AAR race cars that produced 440 horsepower.
This version of the 340 cubic-inch featured a heavy-duty short block with additional webbing to allow for aftermarket installed 4-bolt main bearing caps. The application-specific cylinder heads featured relocated intake pushrod passages with offset rocker arms that allowed the pushrods to be moved away from the intake ports, which could improve airflow if the pushrod-clearance “hump” was ground away from the intake port by the end user.
Each 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda AAR featured a tip-to-tail strobe stripe with the AAR logo on the tail, a matte black treatment was done to the hood and the tops of the front fenders, and a matte black trunk-mounted rear spoiler was also fitted. The ‘Cuda AAR sat higher than the standard car and featured side exiting exhausts before each rear wheel with a massive chrome tip. There was also the addition of a lightweight fiberglass hood with a NACA duct scoop.
Only 2,724 examples of the ‘Cuda AAR were produced, with all of them built during a five-week period in March and April of 1970.
This particular example is going across the auction block at the Mecum Harrisburg event on Saturday, July 30th, 2022.
The beautiful Lemon Twist-colored AAR is 1 of 1,120 produced with a factory A833 4-speed manual transmission. The car features a matching numbers engine, has been restored to correct specs, and has performance options like a Sure Grip differential 3.91 rear axle, power steering, power brakes with front discs, and factory Rallye wheels wrapped with Goodyear Polyglass GT tires (E60-15 upfront, G60-15 out back).
Inside features a handsome black interior with bucket seats, tinted windshield, solid-state Chrysler AM radio, and the famous wooden Hurst pistol grip shifter.
UPDATE: The car ended up taking in $110,000 when it crossed the block. That price doesn’t include other fees, taxes, etc. charges.
