In the realm of vintage muscle cars, few icons evoke the raw power and racing heritage like the 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda. A rare breed born from the collaboration between Plymouth and Dan Gurney’s All American Racers, this street rod was a factory-built marvel designed to dominate the twisting road courses of the SCCA Trans-Am series. And now, this piece of automotive history, with its striking FE5 Rallye Red coat and 65,321 miles etched in time, is set to make hearts race once more at the Mecum Kansas City auction on December 2nd, 2023.
What sets this particular AAR ‘Cuda apart isn’t just its aesthetics or streetwise demeanor. It’s a vehicle steeped in racing lore, meticulously crafted during a five-week sprint between March and April 1970. Among the limited run of 2,724, this specimen is 1 of 1,604 automatic 1970 Cuda AARs, a testament to its exclusivity and rarity.
Under the hood lies the beating heart of this beast—a matching numbers 5.6-liter (340 cubic-inch) 6 BBL V8 engine that roars to life, delivering a formidable 290 horsepower at 5,000 RPM and an impressive 345 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,400 RPM. This powerhouse, mated with a Heavy-Duty TorqueFlite 727 automatic transmission featuring a rare column shifter, propelled the AAR ‘Cuda to iconic status.
Restored meticulously through a nut and bolt rotisserie restoration, every aspect of this automotive marvel pays homage to its original glory. The matte black hood, stripes, rear taillight panel, and rear ducktail spoiler are reminiscent markers of its racing pedigree, while the dealer-installed black vinyl top adds a touch of elegance to its fierce appearance.
Step inside, and a correct interior greets you with a split bench seat, surrounded by factory markings and stickers that transport you back to an era when muscle cars ruled the roads. The optional Rallye gauge cluster with a tachometer and the woodgrain steering wheel serve as nostalgic reminders of an era defined by speed and style.
This AAR ‘Cuda boasts powerful performance and unique aesthetic appeal. The distinctive strobe stripe bearing the AAR ‘Cuda logo, the lightweight fiberglass hood with a functional scoop drawing in fresh air, and the side-exiting exhaust near the back wheels make it an unparalleled masterpiece of design and engineering.
Listed in the AAR Cuda Registry and the Chrysler Registry, this car is one of five known to have been produced with its specific options, making it an exceptional find for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
As it revs onto the auction block at Mecum Kansas City, this 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda transcends being a mere vehicle; it’s a piece of racing history, a symbol of power, speed, and an era where muscle cars roared with unbridled enthusiasm. Brace yourselves as the gavel falls, marking the next chapter in the legacy of this automotive legend.
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