Hemi-Powered 1970 Plymouth AAR ’Cuda Tribute

Description

The SCCA’s Trans Am Championship series in the 1960s gave us the Mustang Boss 302 and Z/28 Camaro, two of the finest all-around performance cars of the era. Dan Gurney was lured away from Ford with tons of money, and his All-American Racers team developed the Plymouth Trans-Am cars and accompanying street machines. The result for Chrysler-Plymouth showrooms: the 1970 AAR ’Cuda. That amazing one-year wonder had a forward-tilting rake, caused by rear tires that were larger than the front. Real side pipes, a fiberglass hood with integral NACA duct and NASCAR-style hood pins, and a special 340 V-8 with tri-carbs completed the package. Just 2,727 were built, enough to satisfy the SCCA’s requirements. 

As remarkable as the AAR ’Cuda was in 1970, they are 54-year-old technology — and drive like it. This AAR ’Cuda tribute, however, takes the spirit of the great Trans Am racers and brings it into the 21st Century with a 6.1-liter third-generation Hemi engine and classic A833 four-speed manual. Upgraded suspension and a Vintage Air system are just some of the modern amenities. The rich paint scheme is Stryker Purple Metallic with Granite Graphite Gray Metallic on the hood and AAR stripes.  

Highlight 

• A modern take on the classic 1970 AAR ’Cuda 

• 6.1-liter Hemi V8 from a 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee including: 

  • Hotwire harness  

  • Blackheart shorty manifolds 

  • High-volume Melling oil pump 

  • BBK 80mm cable driven throttle body 

• A833 four-speed manual from Brewers Performance with “Pistol Grip” shifter 

• Year One Rallye wheels with Nitto tires: 17x8 front,17x9 rear 

• Vintage Air air conditioning 

• The chassis number (BP23L0B148755) decodes as: 

  • B – Plymouth Barracuda 

  • P – Premium 

  • 23 – Two-door Hardtop 

  • L – 383 cu-in 2bbl V8 

  • 0 – 1970 model year 

  • B – Hamtramck, Michigan, final assembly plant 

  • 148755 – Sequential plant production number 

Features 

• Extensive bodywork including these new items: 

  • Rear quarters panels 

  • Taillight panels  

  • Trunk floor and extensions  

  • Rear seat floor 

  • Door skins 

  • Front fenders 

  • Hood 

  • Partial main floor 

  • Four-speed floor hump 

  • Lower valances 

  • Firewall and cowl 

  • Front bumper 

  • Trunk lid 

  • Upper and lower grille 

  • Chrome trim  

  • Headlight bezels 

  • Tinted rear glass 

  • Front windshield 

  • Door seals 

• Digi-tails taillights  

• Flush front and rear glass 

• New dash pad, door panels, and carpet 

• McLeod clutch  

• New drive shaft 

• Rebuilt 8-3/4 rear axle with 3:23 Sure Grip    

• Borgeson power steering gear box  

• QA1 rear adjustable shocks  

• New tie rods, ball joints, upper control arms 

• New sway bar bushings 

• Front disc brakes from Classic Performance  

• New brake master cylinder and rear wheel cylinders 

• New brake and fuel lines and hoses  

• New fuel tank and pump 

• Aluminum radiator and electric fan 

Known Imperfections 

• Light wear on bucket seats

Included 

• Original fender tag

Ownership History 

Built from a 1970 Barracuda Gran Coupe this AAR ’Cuda tribute was just completed the first weekend of November 2024 by High Octane Restorations of Savannah, Georgia. 

Additional Notes  A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.    

Contact: Tim Rollinger  Phone: 912.596.2099  email: trollinger@hagerty.com