Plymouth didn’t build very many AAR Cudas. It was a one year only car that was built to compete with the Mustang in road racing. I know when I think of the Cuda, I think of drag racing and all out acceleration, but setup properly these cars can actually handle quite well. Add in a race orientated V8 and you had a quick machine. This bright blue example won’t be going anywhere real fast, at least not under its own power, but given that less than 1,500 were built I have no doubt someone will want to fix it up! You can find this massive project here on eBay in Manchester, New Hampshire with bidding just over $11k.
While the Trans AM package greatly improved handling capabilities, it’s the engine that people love the most about these. It’s a 340 cui V8 with a 6 pack carb setup. While it was only rated at 290 horsepower, it’s a high revving monster that could fling the Cuda to 60 in under 6 seconds! Sadly for this one, the block is gone, but the seller does have the heads, intake, carbs and other original engine components. Apparently the engine was blown and the previous owner pulled it apart, kept all the good original bits, threw away the block, but never found a replacement.
It’s been sitting since the early ’80s and it looks like much of that time it was outside. There’s lots of rust to be repaired, but it wouldn’t be impossible to fix up. I’d want to check the frame and other structural components before bidding, that way you know what exactly you’re getting yourself into.
This Cuda has lot of issues, but with so few built I hope someone saves it. The missing engine is a huge bummer, but having some of the original parts will help keep costs down. Can anyone tell us if the AAR’s 340 was significantly different from the standard 340? Hopefully it’s just a matter of finding a standard 340 and installing all the AAR bits, but I will let one of the Mopar experts out there weigh in on that!
I believe it’s also missing the ducktail spoiler
Same hp rating as the ’69 Ford BOSS 302 or Z28 302, 290hp was a joke, imo! Done for insurance purposes bc the vast majority of buyers were basically kids ;)
These claims are sticky; Some strange reverse engineering must have taken place on hp ratings as rolling road tests show that all cars in bone stock form were 240hp- ballpark.
Fifty or so short from factory claims.
PS. Key words “Bone stock”
Magazine tests during the period showed that the 340-6 pack combination,
did put out: 290 HP AT THE REAR WHEELS ON A DYNO !
However, in my opinion, a Holley 700 cfm Double Pumper Carburetor on an
Edelbrock TM-5 Tarantula Manifold produced MOPAR !
You must remember that when I owned these vehicles in CA.
Smog Laws were tight & any tampering had to be reversible,
or unnoticeable to pass a smog test.
Let me fill you in on my Mopar background…
I’ve owned:
1. A 71 Plymouth Duster 340;
the recipient of the Holley 700 & Tarantula,
Std Heads, Moroso Valley Baffle & 3 Speed Manual Trans,
Stock !4 x 5.5 in. wheels & Stock E 70 Tires.
2. A 70 1/2 Dodge Challenger T/A;
with the 340 6-pack system,T/A Heads & a 4 speed Manual Trans,
When I bought it it had Aluminum Mag Wheels 7 in Fr, 8.5 in Rr,
I don’t remember the tire sizes, except that they were different Fr to rr
& the Rears ALWAYS Rubbed Against the Outer Fenderwell,
Every time I hit a Dip, even with the Lip Rolled.
I knew that it was real, because the Body VIN had a second J
in the 4th position as in J23″J”. The 71 Factory Manual states that
this signifies a ” special ” build car.
3. A 72 Plymouth 4 Door Satellite;
with a 400 engine, Stage 4 Heads, Stock Thermoquad Carb
On a Raised Stock Intake Manifold HP Carter Fuel Pump, Fuel Press Regulator
& a 727 Auto Trans, A Remote Trans Cooler & Red-Line Ford Trans Fluid,
Hemi Suspension all-around, Koni Shocks, 7 in. Super HD Police Wheels,
Helped the Handling
& Front Disc Brakes & 11 in x 2 1/2 in Rear Brakes, Helped the Stopping..
but it had a standard size Radiator area, which was problematic.
It could be made thicker, but NOT WIDER.
4. Finally, a 71 Chrysler New Yorker;
with a 440 engine & a 727 Auto Trans.
Here’s what is so special about the 70 1/2 AAR’s & T/A’s:
1. In order for the Cold Air system to work,
2. The engine had a special K-Member fitted to lower the engine,
which on the good side made the car a much better handling car,
BUT Precluded standard headers from fitting.
THAT IS THE # 1 TIP TO A FAKE !
3. Suspension:
Hemi 0.92 Torsion Bars in Front & a Std # of Leaf Springs in Back,
EXCEPT they had an extra 1 in. arch, to raise the rear for clearance
of the LARGER Rear Wheels. The first American Car to come with
Different size Wheels & Tires Fr & RR.
4. Rear End:
An 8 3/4 Rear End w 11 in.Rear Drums.
5. Front Brakes:
Disc Brakes were Standard,
6. Engine:
Besides the Intake System it had Special AAR – T/A Heads,
THESE WERE NOT PORTED FROM MOPAR,
But having the Intake:Valves, Rocker Arms & Pushrods,
Offset To Allow for Porting.
The Block was Stock, Except they used the best Cores in ALL AAR – T/A Cars,
6. Power Steering:
A Special ” Fast Ratio ” Power Steering was offered only in this
Configuration as there was NO ROOM to use it in a Big-Block Car.
7. Due to the Un-even sized of the Tires, Front to Back,
The Industries First Space Saver Spare was Utilized in the Tiny Trunk.
I think that that is it
So, the 1 question that you have to ask yourself is;
” is it really worth it to own such a specialized car “,
which probably shouldn’t be Modified or Restored, because it’s
worth more as is, to everyone, but your insurance company ?
OR
Is it better to find a usable car & make it, what you want ?
Having Done Both, I prefer the latter, for now.
Vanishing Point Ent.
I know this post is old but I have an AAR Cuda going a full resto for many years now and have all the main parts to make one my way just looking for a body, being in the hobby so long I think it’s way cheaper to make one up than to a full resto, I want to make a driver not a show car what do you think?
Thanks for the info! JR
JR, on your AAR, if you have correct AAR engine and suspension components, the hardest body part to find is the correct fiberglas AAR hood. Everything else is plain ‘cuda
This was such a beautiful car, I really hope it gets a much deserved total restoration regardless of the cost.
Another identity is the exhaust tips protruding from the rear lower valance…. The AAR decals on the rear quarters. And the 150 mph speedo. But that’s my opinions
Actually, the exhaust on the AAR’s was in front of the rear wheels, under the rockers…
I believe there were a couple states which did not allow side exhausts. It would be worth verifying. If it went to one of those states originally, it would be more rare than usual.
this one should bring more then the one posted the other day because it’s more complete
Oh boy here we go again. :)
Nice find here! this ones worth the work!
I worked on a challenger TA once I believe they had the same setup. The heads on these cars had offset push rod holes with offset rocker arms to match. This allowed a builder to open up the intake ports without hitting the push rod hole.They came with a duel point distributor with a rev limiter ( I think it was a Mallory) The intake was an edlebrock with three Holleys. The car came with a fiberglass hood, a special steering box and tiny gas tank. The exhaust exited in front of the rear wheels.
Missing VIN tag probably already on another car.
Why is it that every f$$king cool muscle car has the original matching numbers motor pulled out and its no where to be found. I CALL BULLS$$T.
And sometimes the old engines show up.
2 years ago I picked up a real 1969 DZ 302 engine in excellent condition here in Manitoba.
I’ll never know why it was removed, or what happened to the car it came from.
Michael the answer to your question is too many RPM for too long with bad oil that was in far too long. The first, second and maybe even the third owner took care of these cars and knew what they had but sooner or later they were just nice looking and cheap. Especially after the gas crisis. Those that knew cared and kept theirs in great condition those that did not sold them to young boys with visions of a great car making the great drivers. Never realizing that they were just killing the things they loved even faster then just neglect could do alone.
Sad for I remember two of these one in blue and one in that screaming yellow color. I never got to drive one, and in my old ALFA Giuliettia or MGA I mostly saw them in the distance moving away rapidly. Ahhhhh youth.
I knew a guy in school whose dad was a Chrysler exec. He had one of these and claimed to have made an unspecified amount of money on Woodward Avenue back in the day. No real reason not to believe him…
I have the same car in B5 metallic blue, restored. The 340 in the AAR contrasts to a normal 340 . It has 4 bolt mains, forged rocker arms from the 426 hemi, the edelbrock 3 carb intake manifold and even slightly different valve covers.
Other AAR differences included heavier anti sway bars front and rear, front discs and beefier rear shoes, beefier rear springs, fiberglass hood, and optional rear spoiler. If you ordered the 727 automatic ( actually quicker than the 4 speed), that was beefed up as well.
This car was for sale earlier this year with no takers. It is a mess. No way to return this to its former self without being underwater.
Hi I’m curious about the rockers from a hemi I know a bit about both engines I had a 340 my friend had a #426 hemi no way would the rockers fit they were way too long how did you manage to make them work ????
@ Bruce Best: Feel free to beat me up here, but I was one of those kids. I had a 69 442 Convertible when I was 16. It was in much worse shape when I sold it for $650. We had a lot of fun, and in those days cars were plentiful, and cheap. I moved on to a Vega. Too many tickets! Sure wish I had it now!
In 1968 for 400.00 I bought a 1965 Impala SS conv. Had 20k on it when the guy lost his lisence racing on Woodward ave and also on Telegraph in Detroit. It had a 409 400 with a rock crusher 4 speed. I was also 16.
Well its in pretty sad condition, But it COULD be saved with the right person. Certainly if you are a checkbook restorer you will be deep in debt to save this, But there are plenty of guys who can do the job and come out okay. Not a good candidate for a quick flip. This is one that needs to be a labor of love.
I truly hope this goes to a good home. Too cool and rare to not sell, Eventually this will find a buyer. Issue is how long?
Running the revs up too high with a 340 was very easy to do, especially with 3.91 or 4.10’s, when engaged in spirited driving at high speed. I recall doing the damage to my 340 and never considered the “numbers matching” issue. I simply went and bought another used 340 to build when I blew it up.
Those 3/2’s made a fabulous howl at WOT!
Jay, that’s the reason the AAR version of the 340 had 4 bolt mains and forged rockers, to sustain higher revs. Also the AAR standard rear was a 3.55 ratio – designed for road racing vs. drag strip.