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Here’s an unusual request through the Barn Finds Classifieds! A reader named Garth has submitted this ad looking for the person that purchased a 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda, VIN BS23J0B303477, from this Apple Towing auction back on October 26, 2019. The engine that was in the car at the time is in the picture above, but apparently Garth has the original engine for the car and would like to reunite it with the ‘Cuda!
Here’s a picture of the car. Sure looks nice from here! The car sold for $82,000 in a webcast auction out of Woodland, California if that helps ring a bell for anyone. I hope the Barn Finds readers can help this engine find its way home! And don’t forget to advertise your car or parts in our Classifieds and Wanted sections!
There’s something you don’t see every day…
Purchased a 70 Duster 340 that came with a trailer full of additional MOPAR parts, including a AAR / T/A 340. Almost 100% and stock specs. Contacted Barry Washington at Hamtramck Registry and in just a few days located the owner of a fully restored AAR Cuda. He promptly contacted me and drove 14+ hours to pick it up. Probably one of the best transactions, and nicest person I’d ever meet…
@PaulG in case you have a pair of original AAR/TA exhaust manifolds, I’m searching…
John, wish I could help you but as you can imagine, it wasn’t difficult selling the entire lot off. But, you never know what might be around the next corner!
Good luck…
Odd that the auction company does not have change of ownership records from 4 months ago.
Perhaps they have it but do not release buyers info to a public request?
Bingo. However, they could probably contact the new owner themselves and give him the contact information of the guy with the engine.
Steve R
Maybe Garth knew the previous owner of the car before Apple auctioned it?
It could be that he Googled the VIN, which would be stamped on the engine and found the auction. The company that was auctioning off the car listed the VIN in its ad, anytime someone searches that VIN from now on, that ad will pop up. I’ve seen threads on other bulliten boards where that has happened. It’s also a tactic often used by people searching for their old cars, which has proven successful from time to time. I’ve also seen it used on cars with a sketchy history or clones that are being passed off as real.
Steve R
I wish that the FCA folks would see their way and produce a new Challenger T/A, preferably with the V6 and AWD. I’d be trading my Patriot in pronto!
FCA has offered a Challenger T/A since 2017.
Steve R
All of the ones Google found have no AWD. That makes the car useless when you have to drive in the snow. But, you’re right that they do make them.
Dave, I’ve been driving a RWD Charger here in the NH snow since 2013. I find it just as easy to handle as any of the AWD Audis I owned in the past. Just need to get a good set of snow tires.
It’s not a T/A, but the Challenger GT AWD is spec’d as you describe.
This would suck. Paying 80 large for a car with a dubious history. Then seeing an ad with pictures and info about your exact car with someone having the original born with motor. Talk about having a noose around your neck. Wonder if Garth plans to gift the motor or wants $10,000 for it? I bet I know. Garth has a winning lottery ticket. None of my business but is certainly an issue for the current owner.
I know when I see government sales for impounded cars the first thing I think of is the person breaking the law has what must be unlimited money and spends it on the utmost best. I have attended a few in person and some car collections are just like that. But not always the case. Due diligence.
Not in line with what the post is about, but dang….that is one fine looking AAR ‘Cuda!!
You would think for that kind of money, the numbers were checked out. Now, I wonder about the body and transmission #’s also. Still a nice car, but I would get with the seller and ask for a discount or take the car back. Then again, maybe the guy with the so called original motor is not on the up and up. Would like to find, what the outcome of this will be. The buyer and, or selling fee would be loss.
Did you read the auction companies ad? It clearly states the car was sold “as is”, they don’t claim it’s anything other than a1970 Plymouth Barracuda, there is no description of the car other than the listing of the VIN and never claim that it was matching numbers or even an AAR Cuda. The seller clearly states it’s the bidders responsibility to verify the car, if he didn’t check well enough and bid assuming it was matching it’s his mistake and no one else. Even if the buyer were to complain the seller owes him nothing.
Steve R
“Seized Asset Management & Government Liquidation” is the descriptor on the auction company website. Is it a stretch to think Garth himself owned this car prior to it being seized?
Ikey Heyman, your first sentence says a lot. Someone spent considerable time and money on this car as it auctioned for $82k, which in and of itself could have been a hoax (clone with a rusted out doner AAR vin), who knows. It was either done through shady business practices and reposesed, the end result of a drug dealer, or just a cloned car from the get go. Hemmings News had an article about a crooked lawyer who was buying old shot shelbys and using the VINs to pass clones as the real thing. The government got involved and auctioned all his cars with new VINs regardless of what they were, because no one knew for sure after the guy was done.
Now my opinion on this Garth guy who has the original motor, he could have gotten it in any number of ways. He could have known the car before the person who restored it. He could have worked at the place that did restore it. He also could have know the guy who they took it away from and got it out of his garage. Who knows but I think it’s cool that he wants to reunite it with the car. If I were him I would result to social media, Facebook,Twitter, Snapchat, and all that stuff that everybody is doing, somebody is bound to hit on it. Just my opinion and I wish him luck.
Just more examples what the money men have done to this hobby. Makes me feel like puking up huge chunks.
This car was probably seized by the government when they busted a drug lord or something of that nature.
😃i know people can go nut’s
buying car’s especially mopar
but ($82,000) wrong motor, more
money than sence😎