1970 Plymouth AAR 'Cuda at auction during the glory days of transom racing.
1970 Plymouth AAR 'Cuda was a Mopar-branded SCCA homologation special during the heyday of SCCA transoms in the early 1970s. The sale will feature one of the restored cars.
"AAR" stands for "All American Racers," a team led by Dan Gurney that Plymouth welcomed as a factory team at Trans Am in 1970. At the time, Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, and even AMC Javelins were competing as factory teams against the Plymouths.
Trans Am rules required manufacturers to build race cars based on production models, thus the original Ford Mustang Boss 302, Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, and Dodge Challenger T/A. The AAR Cuda was Plymouth's answer to these cars.
The AAR 'Cuda was one of several performance versions of the Plymouth Barracuda, all given the shortened 'Cuda name after 1970.AAR's 340 cubic-inch V-8 engine was far from the largest engine in the 'Cuda lineup It was far from the largest engine in the 'Cuda lineup, but it did meet SCCA regulations. The engine produced 290 hp and was sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission and a 3:91 Sure Grip rear end.
The white car being auctioned has been fully restored, according to the listing; being an AAR model, it has sporty trim features such as a Hurst pistol grip shifter, rally dashboard with tachometer, and front bucket seats.
This is not the only 'Cuda to be offered in Mecum's Kissimmee auction. A very rare 1970 Hemi 'Cuda convertible will also be offered in the auction; Mecum did not provide a pre-auction estimate, but 'Cuda's have fetched millions of dollars at past auctions.
