The AAR ‘Cuda was a limited production, one-year-only model built in 1970 to satisfy the racing requirements of the Sports Car Club of America. While it had a 340 cubic inch V8, it deployed triple 2-barrel carburetors instead of a single 4-barrel. Horsepower increased by just 15 (275 to 290), but most consider that to be a conservative figure. The seller’s example is said to be a restoration that’s 90% complete, but not much else is said, and only three photos are provided. That’s not much for an asking price of $100,000 here on craigslist. The vehicle is in a garage in Hood River, Oregon.
Plymouth built only 2,724 of the AAR ‘Cudas in March 1970. 1,120 of them had a manual transmission, which supposedly includes the seller’s car, which we’re told is numbers-matching. There were potent machines, doing 0 to 60 in under six seconds and the quarter mile in 14+ seconds. The cars came with a fiberglass hood for reduced weight, some matte black paint, and side-exiting exhaust. The AAR stood for All American Racers (Dan Gurney’s team).
According to the seller, this AAR ‘Cuda is 90% finished. But doesn’t tell us what the other 10% consists of. But whatever it is, it will cost $15,000 to finish. These are some of the most sought-after Barracudas, perhaps just behind any 1970 ‘Cuda with a Hemi engine. If the seller is serious about selling this car, a better listing is needed and perhaps moved to someplace more appropriate, such as Barn Finds. Thanks for the tip, “Curvette”.
Three pictures, one of which shows the VIN tag and data plate, both removed from the car, two pieces vital to proving a car is what it’s reported to be for an asking price of $100,000 with another $15,000 needed to finish the car. What could go wrong.
Steve R
3 photos??!!! Could this be a scam?!! $100,000!! Something doesn’t smell right! 🤨
Scammers tend to make something look to like something is such a great deal and you have to act immediately, this ad is the opposite. They want potential buyers to drop their guard, that’s why the old saying, “ if it’s too good to be true, it probably is” exists. I’d be more concerned if this ad had a $10,000 asking price.
This response makes it seem like I’m contradicting my prior post, it is in a way. The first post is more about the tone deafness of a seller writing such a bad ad that it generates doubt where none should exist. It’s all relative, I’m not a potential buyer. All someone needs to do is post the VIN number on a thread like this and it will follow the car until the end of time.
Steve R
To me, it feels like an ad from someone who really doesn’t want to sell it, but for some reason, feels compelled to at least minimally try.
A lot of people will claim it’s the wife, but it could be anything else – lack of funs, lack of time, lack of interest, lack of space, etc.
I’m with you there.
Odd listing for sure. These mighty AAR Cudas sound fantastic running thru the gears, winding out that sweet 340.
I agree with you guys, not the best way to market a car with this asking price, or any car for that matter. I will add that what you referred to as the VIN tag is actually a reproduction sticker. Starting in 1970 Chrysler placed a sticker like this at the rear of the drivers door in the jamb near the latch mechanism. Hopefully the actual VIN tag is still riveted to the dash. The fender tag(s) look legit to me but I am far from an expert in spotting fake tags. If you look closely around the two screw holes you can see the slightest amount of red paint which is still present.
The picture in the write up on this site is cropped in such a way that it doesn’t show the actual VIN tag which is laying directly above the sticker.. If you click on the link to the Craigslist ad you can see the uncropped picture with the VIN tag clearly removed from the car.
Steve R
Beautiful car, rediculous ad.
You had better be an expert on identifying engine blocks and cylinder heads too,
Only $33,333.33 per photo. Looks like a nice car. One you’d WANT to show off and tell people about, not create mystery on. No matter, I can’t afford even one photo!
Just a FYI, there are very straightforward ways to validate an AAR. Unlike GM, by 1970 Mopar put numbers on virtually every component.The AAR/TA engine block casting is unique. To confirm the head, simply pull the oil filler cap and you can see the forged lifters inside. The body has markings in multiple places. Even both alternator housing halves are date coded.
What?
Good eye Steve, I did not notice that. I agree that is definitely more concerning…
Just fishing………
If it’s “only $15k to finish”, why not go the extra mile? Three pictures and an asking price of $100k. The seller couldn’t the extra time, to take more pics? Like others have stated, something doesn’t smell right here.
IF… this is legit, it would be a Mecum, Barrett or at the very least a BAT auction car. The CL format screams either scam, or a totally uninformed seller who cannot be trusted to convey the true condition. There is zero chance that this car will ever be a deal to anyone other than a naïve buyer.
I hadn’t thought of that angle. It’s being represented as something that it isn’t, and the seller knows it. So, keep the ad vague, low key, and off of a major platform so it doesn’t draw too much attention, see if they can hook someone.