Manufacturers focused heavily on the highly competitive Trans Am series during the 1960s and 1970s, placing great store in the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” mantra. It spawned such classics as the Mustang Boss 302 and the Camaro Z28. Plymouth’s contribution was the 1970 AAR ‘Cuda, and unlike the Boss and First Generation Z28, the company didn’t peg itself to a 302ci V8 in its roadgoing version. This AAR is a tidy classic but isn’t 100% original. However, that fact hasn’t dampened enthusiasm since the seller listed it here on eBay in Washougal, Washington. Bidding has raced to $60,600, although that figure is below the reserve.
The first and most apparent modification made to this ‘Cuda is its paint shade. The Fender Tag confirms its original owner ordered it in Ivy Green, but it changed to what I believe is Rally Red while under the care of one of its three previous owners. The work was completed to a high standard, with the paint applied over what appears to be the car’s original exterior steel. The seller admits the Black on the hood isn’t quite right because the gloss level is incorrect. However, rectifying that shouldn’t cost a fortune and would be worth the effort. There are no signs of rust, and the seller doesn’t mention any problems in their listing. The stripes and decals are crisp, while the spoiler, trim, glass, and restored Rallye wheels are excellent. It may not be completely original, but this ‘Cuda will undoubtedly turn heads.
Buying a 1970 AAR ‘Cuda brought Chrysler’s 340ci V8 with Six-Pack induction. The buyer could select from a four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed TorqueFlite, with our feature car rolling off the line with the former. The 340 was quite a powerhouse, delivering 290hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque. The rival Camro Z28 was faster over the ¼-mile, but the ‘Cuda would pip the Boss at the post. There was little to separate the trio when the focus turned to top speed. The Z28 and Boss could hit 133mph, with the ‘Cuda marginally slower at 129mph. The seller indicates this classic doesn’t feature its numbers-matching V8. The remaining components are original, but they believe the engine block was replaced with a correct unit under warranty. Potential buyers will be pleased to learn it runs and drives well, representing a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
We receive no interior shots, but the seller describes it as almost perfect. The Fender Tag reveals it would have originally been trimmed in Green vinyl, but the exterior shade change prompted a swap to Black vinyl. The ‘Cuda features the Rally gauge cluster, a factory tach, and a functioning original AM radio. Otherwise, it will take an in-person inspection or the seller’s willingness to supply additional photos to reveal any finer details.
Originality can be key to potential value with any classic car. The 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda is no exception, although the bidding history suggests people like what they see. Recent history suggests the price could climb above $80,000 before hitting the reserve. However, do you think the color change and non-original motor will see the action stall before it reaches that point?
*POOF* Gone.
Not so sure about that. The listing shows several cancelled bids and notes that “this listing was ended by the seller because there was an error in the listing.” I’d assume if the car was sold, you wouldn’t see that notation.
I don’t understand why anyone would change the color on a very rare car.
Who knows… it might have been done a while ago when it wasn’t considered detrimental, or the caretaker at the time didn’t care.
Doesn’t make sense to me either
Was probably done with the intent of “Resale Red” would be easier to move than green
Changing color was a very popular thing to do back in the 1970s and 1980s. These cars weren’t worth as much as the Hope Diamond back then, and people just did this, and rather frequently in the case of these muscle cars. I sold a ’69 Camaro SS350 to a buddy that was originally Garnet Red. He had it repainted purple, and beat the living snot out of the thing until a front tie rod broke and sent him skittering to a halt with the left front wheel all askew. Not sure what happened to it after that.
Our mentality towards these cars as blue chip investments akin to your stock portfolio did not take shape until at least three decades after their production.
And that purple paint was decidedly not “completed to a high standard,” LOL!!I It looked like a metalflaky mess. But he liked purple, so he got what he wanted for the rest of the vehicle’s short and brutal life. I think today’s affluent muscle car clients would drop stone cold dead of a heart attack if they saw how these vehicles were treated back in the day.
Had a 68 Camaro SS built nicely, all kinds of goodies. And yes, the crap was beat out of it. Young and dumb.
I put slapper bars on mine and probably could have written a 10 page paper about their effects under full throttle on various road surfaces. Today’s buyer of that car would be aghast.
The man speaks the gospel. I remember going to look at one in 82. Asking price was 2500.00 ended up passing on it because the price was high for what it was. Paid 2500 for a 68 roadrunner got a big block and a 4 speed for the same money. Still own it.
Gone already, for some reason. It’s sure looks sharp.
As small-block lovers, it’s high on our list of most desirable muscle cars.
eBay listing removed.
If a colour change is done properly what is the issue? This “it has to be exactly like it was from the factory” is stupidity unless it is in a museum. These cars are meant to be enjoyed. If the colour that some dealer chose when ordering doesn’t please you and you have the means to change it properly all the more power to you. Many of these cars the colour was determined by what the factory shipped or had available to ship. Personally I am not a fan of the “Ivy Green” that it came with and would have changed it also to almost any other colour.
I 100 percent agree with you Dave, and thank you for finally saying what I’m sure a lot of us currently wiping the drool from our chins are thinking as well. In truth, the color of the car when it was built doesn’t always appeal to potential owners, and I feel like most folks would like the choice of having their favorite classic in whatever color they darn well please! And even though there’s something to be said for originality, there’s also something to be said for freedom of choice! Especially when you’re talking about a potential hundred grand investment in, let’s be real here, a toy! I’m not detracting from green, in any way, nor originality, for that matter, but squabbling over build sheets not being adhered to for the entire life of a vehicle is, let’s face it, just silly. I would personally love to own a classic like this if it were red, black, blue, green, or panty pink! But then I’m not a purist either, and if this little lovely was in my garage, she’d be rolling around, at least weekly, and she’d be providing wonderful clouds of tire smoke for the grinning and drooling masses….
Not original motor?then it probably doesn’t have the correct X heads which were for the six pack motor.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but I think most or all 340-6 motors used J heads. X heads ended very early in ’70 and the trans am cars weren’t built until Mar-April. Mine have the J casting, and the T/A part number/offset pushrod holes.
The 302s in the Camaro Z-28 and Boss 302 were dictated by Trans-Am rules that specified a maximum displacement of 5.0 liters and a minimum number of examples to be sold to the public with the same displacement as the race versions. Those rules changed during 1969, hence the 340-cid Cuda AAR and challenger T/A, and the 400-cid Trans Am. Pontiac went so far as to develop a 303 for the Trans Am, but abandoned it in the wake of the rule change that allowed displacement to be lowered for race engines.
80s wagons are a lot of fun. You think you hate it now wait till you drive it or where is Aunt Edna? Your dad saying don’t make me come back there in the way back seat. Kicking the crap out of your little brother in the way back seat. Park it any place and there will be Moms who had one just like it. I know as I have a 85 Crown Vic wagon with 26,000 miles on the clock. This one was a great buy.
What does the Family Trickster have to do with a Cuss?
I’m selling my all numbers correct starting next week.
My buddy restored a black AAR in 1985. They only made approximately 18 AAR’s in black because the black side stripes were hard to see until you got closer. It was a auto and had all the correct vin engine parts. He owned it for maybe 10-12 years. He sold it on Ebay with a $35K reserve. After about 24 hrs it was down to 2 bidders. Final price was $66,000. Not bad for the late 90’s.
Back in 1987 I got station in Oklahoma with the USAF. I needed a car and almost bought a white TA Challenger for $6,000. It had no rust and basically original but worn out. Couldn’t afford the insurance though and bought a Ninja 600 instead. Don’t regret it but would have been a cool car. Still love these but I think I’d just buy a new shell and build from scratch with more modern parts now.
A new cuda shell? From where? Oddly, there was never a dynacorn cuda body & the challenger one is now discontinued – poor sales?
If you buy a “new” ’23 challenger(better hurry b4 that’s discontinued), you are getting essentially 2008 sheet metal!
I don’t mean to be pedantic by saying this. But it’s only a Six Pack if it’s a Dodge. If it’s Plymouth it’s a Six Barrel. I’ll never know why Chrysler didn’t use the greatest induction system marketing name for both, but they didn’t.
You’re not being pedantic, you’re simply stating a fact. The air cleaner (cover) for this car isn’t the right one. 👍
(btw I wanted to give your comment a thumbs up but for whatever reason the site wouldn’t let me)
I was going to mention that it is the super rare AAR with Dodge’s Six Pack option.
When $60k hasn’t passed the reserve on a non original muscle car is insane. The take down from the auction is most likely someone found some truths about the car that differed from the listing. This is a hard pass boys. Invest that money elsewhere.