AAR ‘Cuda
The AAR ‘Cuda was only produced during the year of 1970. The AAR ‘Cuda was produced to race in the SCAA road racing and to compete with the Ford Mustang. AAR actually means ‘All American Racers’. Let’s first look at how the AAR ‘Cuda differed from the regular ‘Cuda. Then we will go into more detail with each of those differences.
The AAR ‘Cuda was different from the regular ‘Cuda in many ways. All AARs had a 340 6 barrel engine. The AAR had a unique stripe called a strobe stripe, which held the AAR ‘Cuda logo. The hood scoop on the AAR actually took in fresh air. For spoilers, it had front “eyebrow” spoilers and a rear “duck tail “. Unlike a standard ‘Cuda, the AAR’s exhaust came out the sides near the back wheels.
AAR ‘Cuda Engine
The AAR ‘Cuda offered lots of power with a V8, 340 6 barrel engine. The bore and stroke were 4.04 inches by 3.31 inches. The stock compression was 10.5 to 1. For the carborators, they used 3 two-barrel carborators, which amounted to 6 barrels. The maximum horsepower from the factory was a whopping 290 bhp @ 5,000 rpm, and the maximum torque was 335 lb-ft @ 3,400 rpm. The 340 could accelerate the ‘Cuda 0-60 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds, 0-100 miles per hour in 14.4 seconds, and race a quarter mile in 14.4 seconds at 100 miles per hour.
AAR ‘Cuda Strobe Stripe
The stripe on the AAR ‘Cuda, called a strobe stripe, is a unique feature. The back side of the stripe is where the AAR logo is located. The AAR logo is make up of four white stars surrounded in blue at the top, then the letters AAR below the stars. The whole AAR logo has a white background with a black outline. Then, right next to the AAR logo there is the word CUDA, hence making AAR ‘Cuda. Then moving forward the stripe starts with small verticle lines then and you get farther forward they get wider, and wider. Finially, at the front it starts to get shorter, and at the front it doesn’t quite come to a point, it rounds out.
AAR ‘Cuda Hood
The hood on an AAR ‘Cuda is something that sets it apart from standard ‘Cudas as well as all other cars. The hood is made of lightweight fiberglass. What really sets this hood apart from all other cars is the hood scoop. The sleek design really blends in nicely with the rest of the car. Some might think that the scoop is “all show and no go”, but this hood scoop is functional and draws in fresh air. The hood was usually painted Organasol, along with the tops of the fenders and doors.
AAR ‘Cuda Front and Rear Spoilers
The spoilers on the AAR also set it apart from other cars. The front spoilers are what they call “eyebrow” spoilers. As you can see in the image the “eyebrow” spoilers are located on the side of the car, on the front fender in front of the tire. There is a matching spoiler on the passenger side of the car. The rear spoiler is what is called a “duck tail “. It is located on the back end of the trunk lid. The Challenger T/A has a spoiler that is very similar to what the AAR has.
AAR ‘Cuda Side Exhaust
The exhaust on the AAR ‘Cuda came out the side of the car. On most ‘Cudas, Challengers (excluding the Dodge Challenger T/A), and other Mopars, the exhaust exited out the rear of the car in a variety of ways. However, the AARs exhaust came out right in front of the back wheels, on both sides none the less. Before exiting out the side exhaust pipes though, it was routed through the standard muffer (which was mounted under the back seat).
AAR ‘Cuda Production Information
The AAR ‘Cuda was produced during the months of March and April, 1970. Production of the AAR began on March 10 and continued until April 17. There was however the pilot car that was produced February 3rd. Also, according to a couple of AAR Cuda Registries, there were no AARs known to be produced March 10th, 25th - 27th, or the 30th. Also they reported that there has been at least one AAR with the production date of April 20. So those production dates may not have been followed exactly by the factory. There were only about 2,724 AAR ‘Cudas produced in the six week time period. There were 1,120 produced with manual 4-speed transmissions, and the remaining 1,614 had the automatic 3-speed transmissions.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I just got a 1970 AAR ‘Cuda, that was built into a pro-street race car, by Richard Petty’s pit crew in the 70’s or early 80’s. any help on research would be helpful.
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:13 pm
How many automatic Aar Cudas were Sassy Grass Green??
October 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 pm
dang!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this car is hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love cuda’s! i cant wait till the chrysler nationals in carlisle, pa this year! my boyfriend is looking forward to this. hes gonna surprise me with an older car (hopefully a CUDA) he says i cant go the first day cuz i would be like i want this i want that. so he is gonna surprise me. i cant wait! I WANT A CUDA!
October 7th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
i have a 1970 340 six pack cuda with the organasol hood but no stripes on side of car but i have a black vinel roof and the color of car is burnt orange.did they make the aar cuda without
stripes on the side or any of these options
October 14th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
…I had a 1970½ Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda 340/6BBL, in dark (F8) metallic green, 4-speed manual and 3.55 Sure-Grip axle…best ¼-mile was 14.3 sec at 100 mph at Holtville, CA, dragstrip.
…stupidly sold it during the “Oil Embargo” years (damn!)…VIN was: BS23-J0B-297188. Wonder who’s driving it these days?
October 30th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I had a 1971 340 six-pack Cuda in the 70’s and I have missed it ever since. I had it painted forest green and had black side pipes put on it. I plan on buying the 2008 Challenger but if you make a Cuda I will buy it instead.
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Looking for my yellow Cuda. Car is unique as it had column shift automatic. Car in Mid. Ga. area as of early 1980. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Car is an AAR CUDA.
November 6th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I am the origonal owner of a 1972 cuda. I recently has a “frame off” restoration done that has successfully brought back the newness of the car. The car is all origonal with the acception of a couple of “bolt on” upgrades for which I have preserved the old origonal parts (carb, manifold) I knew that I was going to keep the car the day I drove it off the car lot and here I am, 35 years later, still enjoying the car.
I often wonder how many cudas are out there still partnered up with their origonal owners? Do you think that this issue has any effect on the car’s value?
I would really like to know!
November 7th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I have a ‘70 cuda body without any interior, so no vin tag. It looks like the original paint and AAR ‘Cuda stripe. I have the number off of the cowl and radiator support. Is there any way to verify if this is an orginal AAR from these numbers?
November 9th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Bill,
I’d be interested in hearing more about your car. Pics?
November 13th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I have a 1970 aar thats completely destroyed and it has a 538 hemi
didnt the originals have a 340? and it has an aluminum tranny and the rear end is too i think but its runnin 9s @ 115 but the frame is bent
ANYONE KNOW HOW TO STRAIGNTEN OUT THE FRAME THAT WONT COST TOO MUCH??????????
November 20th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I have a guy that has a 70 cuda that claims he bought the car new. It has no vin or fender tag. He has a build sheet and title to show it as being an aar. Where specifically can I look for matching vin #’s on the body. I want to believe the guy but something smells a little here. Could someone help me out?
November 26th, 2007 at 12:10 am
i’m 17 and a cuda nut. i really wont a 1970 cuda. so if someone has one they are willing to sell cheap please e-mail me. don’t care if need finished or wreck. i just really love the car and need a project and memories
November 26th, 2007 at 12:11 am
e-mail me a zogo_09@yahoo.com
December 7th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Sweet car when can I buy a 2009 cuda?
December 10th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
NEED TO FIND PRODUCTION CODES FOR 70 AAR CUDA N94 A53 G34 413 MO4393 E 55 N44 J82
THANKS I HAVE ALL OTHERS
RICKYE GALENA MD
December 19th, 2007 at 8:15 am
All this information that is put up on this page is very very helpful to american muscle lovers.. especially the new generation..
We love u all.. keep up the good job!!!
January 3rd, 2008 at 2:16 pm
From a former brand-new AAR owner & way-back-then CMC-dealer parts APM:
To William Patterson: NO ONE is going to sell a genuine AR ‘cheap’ no matter what its condition. But you could always build up a similar package using ant 1970 ‘Cuda or even Barracuda body, originally either 318 or 340 (the big-block K-frame is different). Methinks, however, the real sleeper mindblower would be the new 5.7L. Hemi in a stock-looking plain ol’ Barracuda. Understand, though, a 38-year-old chassis will need a complete refurbishing, and new old parts will be a monumental challenge to obtain. Have fun!
To Ken Bernard: Not even Chrysler kept such records.
To Bil Leonardo: ALL AAR ‘Cudas had “AAR CUDA” stripes, which by about 1972 were no longer available. No offense but your car sounds “bastardized” — either a hood and engine, or even just manifold & carbs, swap, or else a repaint. Check your serial: If an AAR it will begin “BS23J0B” — the J means 340 Six Pack which only the AARs got that year. Also check the tops of the doors and the quarters under the quarter windows: If an AAR they would also be “organosol” and not likely painted over with the rest of the car if the hood was left black. No black, no J, and it’s just a swap job. Also see if the block serial number matches the body plate under the hood. A lot happens in 35 years.
To Fernandizzle: The “J” in BS23J0B refers to the original 340 Six Pack. If you have a genuine AAR, consider restoring it to original condition, after taking it to the very best frame shop you can find. If not, just junk the unibody and swap everything worthwhile into a decent old unwrecked ‘Cuda or Barracuda, or a Challenger (with duly lengthened driveshaft). The year (1970) would only matter for emissions if street-driven.
To Rick Councell: Contact Chrysler — those codes told the assembly line what options to include, such as body color, interior color, engine, trans, R.A.R., console, light package (used to be optional), chrome or colored bumpers & side mirrors (AARs only), etc., etc.
To Timmy Miller: YOU WISH!!! …As do the rest of us here.
To Sami Olser: There were Barracudas, which was the 2-bbl drive-to-work-pick-up-the-kids version; ‘Cudas, which were the 4-bbl., Six Pack and Dual Quad muscle car versions; and 1970-only AAR Cudas, all 340-Six-Pack screamers. WARNING (LOL): These cars were of an era at least two generations can only try to imagine — these cars weren’t just “powerful”, they were FRIGHTENINGLY VIOLENT when driven correctly. We’re talking neck-snapping, big-sticky-tire screaming, breath-stopping, body-hurling POWER, slamming clutch & shifter with a determined violence that would snap off the shifters & pedals found on today’s econotoys. I laugh at kids in their 2L. buzzbombs as they wind through all five gears to pull past my old V-6 B250 van, thinking they have so much “power” at their command! When I got done with only a few judicious mods to my AAR way back when — Hooker headers, 2-1/2″ Street hemi H-pipe, I.H. 376601CIs, 2-1/2″ Street Hemi tail pipes, Street Hemi torque converter & valve body, electronic ignition, factory Super Stock springs, decent rubber (3rd set) and full mechanical six-pack — that’s all, no kidding! — it was an “all-weather road-superiority fighter”, the automotive-scale counterpart of an F-14 Tomcat — the fully-mechanical Six-Pack was its afterburners! — right down to the catapult launch: Not “Scre-e-e-ech - 0 - 10 - 20 - 30 - 40 - 50 - 60″ etc. but literally “30-40-50-60″ from a dead standstill with a brief burnout as it shifted into second at 65 mph; direct right turn with no notice at 60 mph, no tire squeal or drift, everyone in the back piled up against the left side interior in one seat-place, the seat-belted front passenger briefly horizontal, when everyone yelled “Turn Right” the instant I entered the intersection; full-power 65-70 mph. hairpin U-turns without slowing at all; the list goes on. BTW, I had the optional “Close Ratio” P/S: 2-1/2 turns lock-to-lock; that right turn or U-turn was a half-turn yank of the steering wheel; a lane change was a flick of the wrist; fun stuff! Braking was less than one foot per mph. — clean & dry, way less. At 65 mph I could kick-force it down into First (”Low”), stomp the brake then hit the gas again, and the car would seem to freeze in space-time for just an instant, to send a suddenly-panicked tailgater sliding in a fully-locked-up sideways four-wheel drift. Or needing only three car lengths to pull out into 60 mph traffic: One in front, one in back, and one for me. A rocket sled on wheels, able at 55 mph to literally leap out of the way of an out-of-control car one second before what would have otherwise been a T-bone side-impact. Oddly enough, the car always got exactly 11 mpg, whether averaging 20 or 60 or 120 mph. There has never before nor since been anything made like it, at any price! Definitely, those were the days…! Oh, BTW, if it sounds like I’m exaggerating, I’m actually being a little understated. I couldn’t “lead” right turns or I’d've hit parked cars — it took me 3 mo. to learn to drive that car. It really was that extreme.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Well…I guess I’ve got a ’story’ to tell too.
I bought one off the showroom floor, in mid-1971. I wanted a ‘70 Shelby…but couldn’t afford it…here was this Mopar Monster that looked pretty ‘cool’…and I bought it…
Mind you I was just 20 years old then…but I knew this was really some machine….
It would ‘chirp’ the tires backing up…I had one of the 4-speed (pistol grip) models.
I lived in Portland, Oregon at the time and with my buddies ‘egging me on’, we took it for a ’spin’ out on I-84 past Multnomah falls…my ‘Cuda had only a 120 MPH speedometer, but AFTER it went fully past 120 … was past the 6:00 o’clock position (about 140 mph) and heading around 150 mph… I said ‘that’s enough….’…. I had 1/4 pedal left and it would have kept on accellerating…with no problem…but a blow-out at 150 mph + would not have been a good thing!
So…yes…a very ‘cool’ car.
We took it to Yellowstone from Portland and I remember driving back 800+ miles from Yellowstone to Portland in 11 hours, and we stopped for an hour in Boise, Idaho for lunch…so you can do the math there!…a pretty quick trip!
Unfortunately…at 20-21 years old…I was a ‘dumb’ kid…wasn’t able to keep the payments up and had to have it repo-ed…voluntarily…
Anyway…enough ’stories’…
I do have pictures…really did own one….wish I could have kept it…worth a lot of money now!
January 10th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Just a ‘follow-up’ to C. Ed Wright’s post:
Ed’s not lying! You could be ‘tooling along’ on the freeyway at say 60-70 mph, and want to pass someone…punch the pedal down and it would go ‘vrrooom……vrrooooooommmm’ and you’d be literally thrown back and accellerating from 60 or 70 to 90 or even 100 mph in just a couple of seconds…of course…the gas gauge would ‘mirror’ the speedometer…the speedometer’s going up and the gas gauge is going down!….but I still remember that power.
I’ve owned better-built cars (I love BMWs)…but that ‘Cuda was some car.
I had a friend who had a ‘70 Challenger RT 440 (it had 100 CUBEs on my AAR)…we hit a stop light at just the right time … once… so…long story short…the AAR kept up with the 440 through 3rd gear, and we had to both let off…but it was a pretty good race!…true story.
Well…there are about 5 more ’stories to tell’ .. but I doubt anyone cares…but for those who do…here’s one true story.
Guy
January 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
i have 1 question were was the fuil cap at on the cuda i know the chargers was on the top of a finder im wondering because i have a model im doing that has the fuil cap but i want to put it were it gose but the plans dont tell me were it gose plz can i gat a heads up ill sind you a pic of the modil whin im done with it kk
January 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Billy…
I have an answer for you:
1) Learn to construct a sentence so that the message you’re trying to convey makes sense!
2) Lean how to spell.
January 16th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
As a reletively young man I have had the pleasure of owning or operating a lot of “real” cars. My first few were bowties, followed by a series of blue ovals…but when I got my first Mopar…
‘71 ‘Cuda in Plum Crazy purple. Loved the car, loved cruising up the highway and letting some punk pull alongside and then tapping the gas to jump ahead four lengths or so before he even heard the exhaust bark.
Now I’ve got one of those 2.0L “Buzzbombs”. Have to say as much fun as it is to toss around corners (It’s an all-wheel drive), it’s nothing like the raw, visceral, red-meat-eating, beer-swilling, kick-you-directly-in-your-teeth-and-doesn’t-feel-bad-at-all-about-it, brutal feel of that ‘Cuda. Until you’ve driven one, don’t even pretend you know what its like. Given my choice of good gas milage or a real deal car….I’ll take the brute.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I once saw a restored AAR ‘Cuda, it was awsom! At the time, i didn’t know much about it, but I did know that it ment something special and great. It was at a car show.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I just inherited a 1970 aar 340 six pack cuda.its dark green with the stripes down the side, its got the paisley roof, looks like an automatic with the shifter on the steering column. It also matching numbers and is all original since my dad was the original owner. Do you have any knowledge of what there worth and could you reccommend anyone one to repair minor damages.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
Please visit the web site and click on the link to the flyer. I’ve had this car 3 years now, been able to trace it back to the New Jersey/Maryland area. Currently the car is in Southern CA. Looking for the build sheet (who isn’t) and the original 727 Trans. If you have any info, pls drop me a line.
Thx Stan
January 24th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Huuum, I thought that including the web site in the box, it would have included it with the post.. Anyway:
http://members.cox.net/rabys/
January 25th, 2008 at 7:50 am
I had a 70 cuda. I understand what these guys are talking about. It was like no other car that I’ve ever owned. It had the 340-4 4speed. I know it was a posi, but don’t recall the gear ratio. Unfortunatly the car had gone through some changes. A smaller steering wheel,a hurst super shifter and cragers all took something away from it. I will admit that the headers were done correctly and welded nicely to the stock dual exhaust. This gave the car a really great sound, even when just idling. One thing that I do remember is the gas mileage,17 mpg combined. MY FATHER HATED THIS CAR, I was only 19 when I bought it. It had 59K miles on it and I paid 1400 dollars for it. This was in 1978. To appese my dad I sold it to a friend who got chased by the cops the first night. He ran after stalling it out and they impounded the car. He got it back, and eventually totaled it out. Sad….
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:45 am
I want a 72 cuda for my first car soooooo bad. My dad has a ‘67 with the 273. He said i’ll be before i drive it over 5 times. (He he he he’ll be dead first) if i can’t get a cuda, want mopar would you guys suggest i get. I’m 14 and my dad has a $4,000 max price tag on the car. unless i can restore one for cheap.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 am
I bought an AAR in early 1986. It had 67,524 miles on it. I still have it and I will probably keep it another 20 years. Before I purchased the car it spent a few years as a drag racing car with a number of performance upgrades. Once I bought I started changing it back to as stock as I could. It is still an awesome performance machine.
I bought a 1966 Formula S Barracuda in 1967. I sold it when I went into the Navy in 1969. I wish I still had it also.
Both were/are great and fun cars.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
I just happened to get lucky a buy a AAR about 4 months ago need to be restored looks to be all there interior,body, what I am looking for is an original AAR motor mostly the block and heads. I havr the six pac intake and carbs, please email me if you know where I can find a block and heads or a whole motor thnx
February 4th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
well the sickness hit me long ago, my father had a 64 sport fury 3 golden commando convertable, with a 383 and i fell head over for mopars at the tender age of 12, and that was a long,long time ago. my first real car was a 62 polara 500 with a 361 push button 727 auto, cream white, console, buckets, what i wouldnt give to have her back, but alas, such is life. the next funrunner was a 72 cuda 340 auto,lemontwist yellow, again gone to the next lucky owner (paul). on to a 70 340 dart 4speed, what a ride! again, sold to my kid brother. what was that comment forest gump made,,,stupid is what stupid does. well i started to settle down to a wife and kids, but that couldnt stop the sickness. I purchased a 1967 cuda formula S notchback from the best man in my wedding for $150 and restored it for my 1st born son who is now 26. he still has it, though it has been restoed with a 69 340. fun car! then my oldest daughter came along and (we) just had to have a 1970 383 airgrabber pistol grip 4 speed roadrunner,,go figure. yep she still has it. Then my youngest daughter was born. Along with her came a 1972 340 slapstick, black on black on black challenger. she loves it. then my wife,,,,oh you bet, she had to have her in-violet with white int. AAR cuda.Thank the heavens above i was lucky enough to aquire this long ago when a working stiff could! it has just gone through a ground up resto, and has 32k on the odo. lest i forget,,mine is a 74 360 pistol grip roadrunner. all stock. i have never owned a brand x ride. cant see it in my future. even my daily driver is an 04 mopar 4×4. you see the sickness has no cure,,and its been a family affair. MOPAR OR NO CAR! thanks dad!
February 12th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hey Rog,
I have a motor and heads,I am looking for a body and intake,any chance you want to sell?Ill watch for your comment.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
i have a 360 block i am going to put up for sale…it was dynod with 410 hp and 460 lbs of torque..was a good little motor. I think i heard a knock and quit driving immediately..My oil pressure was low @ idle when it would heat up…I think its just a bearing problem and i may or may not fix it depends on whether someone is interested. Probably has less than 1000 miles on it even though its atleast 10 years old..Just about done with a 416 stroker im building …So i am going to pull this engine and drop in the other…It will come complete minus the alternator. brackets, steering pump, brackets..bottom pulley…distributor..
It has a roller cam. headwork “j” heads by Hollums .. Air gap manifold , Holley 750 street avenger carb..Milodan deep pan…good parts all around..IF anybody might be interested i am located in Bay Area, ca. I can be emailed @ mrbsturd@yahoo….
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I AM RESTORING A 1970 CUDA AAR AND IN NEED OF A 340 NTA ENGINE. CAN ANYONE HELP. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
TAHT WAS A 340 TA ENGINE, MY WIFE CANNOT TYPE. HAHA
March 6th, 2008 at 12:14 am
New web site, check it out
March 6th, 2008 at 12:14 am
http://www.the70aarcuda.com
March 12th, 2008 at 11:43 am
i fell that i am growing up in the wrong era i love old cars especially the cuda and old music the who is my all time favorite band i love them so much there song behind bule eyes will be played at my funeral but back to the cars i cant wait till the 2009 cuda when i first heard i tinkled a little bit but i am better now LONG LIVE CUDAS
March 30th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Great stories here, I’ll add mine… I too had a ‘Cuda, a ‘72 - 340 (lower power from the factory than the 70 and 71 cars). Bought it used from a friend in early 1974. He had some performance work done on it to improve handling and power, and the car was in better than new condition when I got it. Equipped w/ a 727 slap-stick, rallye dash, medium blue metallic skin, black vinyl top and interior, 15 in Crager S/S mags, and GR-60 Goodrich T/A rubber all around, the car not only performed well, it looked like a million bucks. Mine was just one of 6 Cuda/Challengers in the little town of North East, Maryland where I lived. Having lower power than some of the other cars around town, I realized my “Cuda wouldn’t run with some of the the high power cars on the short track, so I focused on learing to drive on the curves instead. We had a lot of long twisting roads in the area anyhow, so concerntrating on curves made sense. One night I was driving with two friends on a stretch of road known as dead-man’s curve. It was a narrow hairpin that many others had wrecked on testing lesser camaros and stangs… I was feeling really bold and I told my friends that I tought my cuda could take the corner at 70mph. They told me I was crazy (they were right) — they added that nobody ever made it through at anything over 45. The road was very narrow and was crowned in the middle so getting too far to the outside of the crown always resulted in “big tree disaster”. Before approaching the turn we each cinched our selves in as tight as our seatbelts would hold (that was the first time I ever used a belt!). I entered the turn at about 75, tapped the brake, punched it, and cut the wheel hard right to power throught the turn. I punched it too hard through and the rear-end started to break free across the optimum axis. That was when I lost it. The ass-end was swinging around and I couldn’t gather it in without steering off the road. My only choice was just to go with it. Then we were spinning like a toy top. As the car crossed the crest of the crown I realized that I might be able to cut the wheel hard, floor it, and continue the spin to complete a 360. When my buddies stopped screaming and opened their eyes again, they couldn’t believe what had happened. We were heading in our originall direction again and zipping along at about 60 MPH. I never admitted it to them, but I couldn’t believe it either. We made it through, but not without luck and a fantastic car (thanks to Mopar and Don Dixon of Oxford, PA). I continued trying to improve my cornering skills and kept the car for two years more until getting a job in sales… the 12MPG of the ‘Cuda and lack of a/c just wouldn’t cut it. Like others, I wish I still had the car - it was not the most powerful Cuda, but it had all the right DNA. Like a Timex it took and lickin’ and kept on tickin’. I’d love to find that car again!!!
March 30th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Great stories here, I’ll add mine… I too had a ‘Cuda, a ‘72 - 340 (lower power from the factory than the 70 and 71 cars). Bought it used from a friend in early 1974. He had some performance work done on it to improve handling and power, and the car was in better than new condition when I got it. Equipped w/ a 727 slap-stick, rallye dash, medium blue metallic skin, black vinyl top and interior, 15 in Crager S/S mags, and GR-60 Goodrich T/A rubber all around, the car not only performed well, it looked like a million bucks. Mine was just one of 6 Cuda/Challengers in the little town of North East, Maryland where I lived. Having lower power than some of the other cars around town, I realized my “Cuda wouldn’t run with some of the the high power cars on the short track, so I focused on learing to drive on the curves instead. We had a lot of long twisting roads in the area anyhow, so concerntrating on curves made sense. One night I was driving with two friends on a stretch of road known as dead-man’s curve. It was a narrow hairpin that many others had wrecked on testing lesser camaros and stangs… I was feeling really bold and I told my friends that I tought my cuda could take the corner at 70mph. They told me I was crazy (they were right) — they added that nobody ever made it through at anything over 45. The road was very narrow and was crowned in the middle so getting too far to the outside of the crown always resulted in “big tree disaster”. Before approaching the turn we each cinched our selves in as tight as our seatbelts would hold (that was the first time I ever used a belt!). I entered the turn at about 75, tapped the brake, punched it, and cut the wheel hard right to power throught the turn. I punched it too hard through and the rear-end started to break free across the optimum axis. That was when I lost it. The ass-end was swinging around and I couldn’t gather it in without steering off the road. My only choice was just to go with it. Then we were spinning like a toy top. As the car crossed the crest of the crown I realized that I might be able to cut the wheel hard, floor it, and continue the spin to complete a 360. When my buddies stopped screaming and opened their eyes again, they couldn’t believe what had happened. We were heading in our originall direction again and zipping along at about 60 MPH. I never admitted it to them, but I couldn’t believe it either. We made it through, but not without luck and a fantastic car (thanks to Mopar and Don Dixon of Oxford, PA). I continued trying to improve my cornering skills and kept the car for two years more until getting a job in sales… the 12MPG of the ‘Cuda and lack of a/c just wouldn’t cut it. Like others, I wish I still had the car - it was not the most powerful Cuda, but it had all the right DNA. Like a Timex it took a lickin’ and kept on tickin’. I’d love to find that car again!!!
April 4th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
FYI: Carborator not spelled this way, but this way carburetor. Love them E-bodies.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:08 am
I really want to buy a AAR Cuda. I can not afford a restored car but I will buy one that needs restoration. I would be willing to trade my 1970 Superbee that is complete but also needs a resto if someone is interested. I may even consider a car that has no engine. I am in Canada but location is not really important to me. If anyone knows of one of these cars or has one they may want to sell, please call me 1-780-961-7608.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:27 am
OK. Anybody with a 1970 Cuda or Barracuda for sale please call me. Will pay cash or will trade 70 Superbee project plus cash for the right car. Will consider any car in any cond. Phone number above.
April 14th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I have lived all the stories and still making more !!! Just finished up this weekend at MOPARS at the ROCK. (whose #1 in the E body class ?) See y’all at Carlisle in a couple months.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Whatever happened to the new hemi-cuda bodies that were supposed to come out, similar to the 69 camaro or mustang?
May 19th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Hi im restoring a 1970 cuda aar all original b5 blue blue interior both fender tags 2 build sheets and all the vin numbers stamped i need to no the stall speed for the torque converter 727 thank you to any bodyy that can hepl al
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Gotta love those Cudas. I have three, one 70 convertible 383 4 spd FY1, a 71 EL5 butterscotch Gran Coup, and I’m in the process of restoring a bad ass triple black AAR `Cuda. I’m about 80% finished and it’s looking bad ass. 1BADAAR for the tag! what do ya think?
The `Cuda
May 31st, 2008 at 4:15 am
hello im a muscle car lover also. i collect old muscle cars ive had 13 differant makes i still have my first car that i will never sell it goes to my son it is an origanal x33 dz 302 camaro hugger orange white strip car.enough about that . i really miss my 1970 roadrunner it had a 383 magum mopar box four speed pistol grip 411 rearend. u could run down the road about 30 to 40 mph bang second gear and spin the car around and head the other way it was a fast car. but the real car was my uncles car which was very rare……. it was a 1964 plymouth sport fury bought new with a 426 hemi in the car the car was white with white and red interior now is that a rare package car ? or what i wish i still know where the catr was it was sold back in the 80″s he cant remember who got the car..lol thats the way it goes. but if any of u have any AAR”S or any other cudas rt chargers, challegers ect for sale in need of repairs give me a call i may be interested thanks jason 1-740-887-2758
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:59 am
I have a 340 T/A long block assembly that is partially disassembled. It is a #1 casting. has a 71 vin . Bottom end is assembled, heads disassembled but parts are all there, intake, with carbs, (Does not have alternator, distributor, exhaust manifolds, fuel pump, water pump) $5500.00 803-873-2076 must be picked up , in South Carolina
June 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
If there are people needing totall restorations on CUDA’s Chargers and etc, let me know, Im the owner of Phoenix HotRod Inc. in Canada and specialize in them, We have a car-O-liner benchrack 5800 frame machine and other top of the line equipment. Contact me at phoenixhotrods@yahoo.com
Thank you
June 20th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
IVE HAD MY IN VIOLET AAR SINCE GRADUATING HS IN 1977
ITS BEEN THE BEST ADDICTION IVE HAD SINCE THEN, AND ITS ONE
TURN ON I WILL, NEVER QUIT.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON……………..
June 26th, 2008 at 10:09 am
[IMG]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c117/ttamrettus/Photo_042705_025.jpg[/IMG]
June 26th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Sorry,
Can anyone identify this car?
[IMG]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c117/ttamrettus/Photo_042705_025.jpg[/IMG]
June 29th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Ya all know there weere only a very few made of the 70 AAR Cuda I hope so good luck looking for your bodies an such. My old man owned the 70 1/2 AAR Cuda Hemi Orange sweet car an had all the original numbers, third owner. Anlord th at’s the only car he ever talks about. His first X wife cost him that car an she about paid with her ass. She took everything he owned even managed to take his companies money out of the bank her name wasn’t on it. That sucks so if you have the car hang on to it. An like Gary says no matter what the shape your gonna pay big bucks.
June 29th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Ya all know there were only a very few made of the 70 AAR Cuda I hope so good luck looking for your bodies an such. My old man owned the 70 1/2 AAR Cuda Hemi Orange sweet car an had all the original numbers, third owner. Anlord th at’s the only car he ever talks about. His first X wife cost him that car an she about paid with her ass. She took everything he owned even managed to take his companies money out of the bank her name wasn’t on it. That sucks so if you have the car hang on to it. An like Gary says no matter what the shape your gonna pay big bucks.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:23 am
Good stories,I thought I would add this as one story has our cars in it(Guy i think)My Dad bought one in 70,(still has it)burnt orange/340 6 bbl,3.91 gears and auto,MINT.He dragged the car new 13.40’s he was pulling off with street tires !!! He sure knows how to drive them,as he tought me well,also he all has the timeslips today,14’s-16’s when smokin the tires,13’s when not flooring it past the 60 foot mark then flooring it..*noted taking off as fast as you can without spinning the tires,not like the road tests of old cars they just floored it and spun the tires resulting in poor reported times we see posted everywhere today*My first car an original b-5 blue 70 Challenger r/t 440 3.54gears,727(still have it also) would run beside him till about 40 mph then lose him,both started with the same tekneek.I remember when I was about 10 years old he floored the ‘Cuda ,spun the tires in traffic at 25 mph and then we spun around facing the flow of traffic,he quickly slammed the car in reverse floored it and backed half a block into a parking lot ,all the time spinning the tires with smoke everywhere,that was the first time I remember him driving like a mad man with me in it and I was hooked..Then I would always ask him to do it again,well he did floor it and light the tires up but never in heavily occupied areas,even with my moms special ordered 69 440 powered 2 door Newport that car would light the tires up and chirp in 2nd gear..I miss that one though,with rallye wheels very rare t.n.t 440 ..oh well..we still have the Cuda and Challenger forever….except the 73 Challenger t/a clone,with hood ,side pipes from a 70 t/a at a wreckers and a 340 4bbl mildy cammed up I used as a daily driver,I made alot of tooth picks with that one…Yep I missed the road and went through some tree’s..er..forest you could say..We now own a multi make lease car dealer and nothing compares with old MOPARS…nothing,no little rice burner..nothing….
August 1st, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Does anyone know if a 1971 Cuda front grill will fit in the place of a 1970 Cuda front end ? If so, is there much body work needed ?
September 27th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I went to the local Plymouth dealer as soon as I read the article in Sports Car Graphic to order one ( yes you could order a car back then ). This was a natural “cause I was a BIG Dan Gurney fan, yes even the Cougar and Cyclone! Put money down for a Blue(b5) with all the goodies I could get, only no SLUSH pump (auotmatic for you non gear heads ). Got a call 3 days later and I could no longer get one and the dealer looked all over but to no avail. Broken hearted, I went and bought a Chevy Caprice ( bad move LEMON ) Now when I have the money, can’t find one and when I don’t their all over the place. I still dream of what might have been. Not only that if I still had it, I could sell it and RETIRE!!!!! Thanks for having this site.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:20 am
Howdy. I have found what I believe could posibly be an AAR. Its been sitting in the same spot since I was a kid(almost 30 yrs ago). I recently returned to the area I grew up and it was still there. After much effort, I finally got ahold of an older woman who lived there alone. I asked about it, she didn’t have much info. She wants $5000 for the car. It looks all original and complete, just been sitting for 25+ years. I’m sure the AAR would be worth this kind of money, but if its not, what is a fair price to pay?
November 20th, 2008 at 3:23 am
An addition to the previous comment….there is also a Challenger and a Sebring(I think) sitting at this same location. Both are early 70’s. If anyone is interested.
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Brian, shoot me an e-mail with your phone #.
Randell Lewis
November 30th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I have a AAR trans that i want to get back in its origial car the # is 307005
November 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Sorry my address is schneidermattj@yahoo.com
December 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
hi matt i am in the process of restoring an aar i have everything but the tranny i need an automatic part # pk3410769 call me @ 918-639-7066 my name is brian thanx
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
My dad use to have an AAR and i tell you what, i was 6 years old back then. And i can tell you like it was yesterday that that car was fast. It was so powerful that once you hit that accelerator pedal, you couldn’t keep your head straight. It was an awesome car. From the way it sounds and reverberated to the way it looks. I cried when he sold it.
Of all the cars that my dad had, or i. That was the one that will give you the goose bumps when you where in it. To think that he paid only $3000 cash back then, witch was a lot of money. They only shipped two or three to Puerto Rico and my dad was one of the lucky ones.
Am sure miss that car, can’t afford one and am sure i’ll never have one.
January 9th, 2009 at 4:44 am
hi
k3ourpsx5ny7m07s
good luck
January 14th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
to the guy wanting to authenticate your cuda. it will have a trans am tag attached to driver inner fender. this will authenticate it as being an original aar cuda.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:20 am
I have a AAR project for sale. $22,000 e-mail me at demonick@cox.net if interested.
Numbers matching motor
January 28th, 2009 at 2:20 am
REAL AAR CUDA
6 other cudas for sale
Wanna buy a
February 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
can anyone tell me how to find my 70 aar Cuda? I sold it to a guy in Media Pa. in about 1974. Miss it ever since.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
if anyone needs any cuda or mopar parts for there projects go to JIMSAUTOPART.COM.
IFOUND ALMOST EVERYTHING i NEEDED AT THAT SIGHT.
February 24th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
if anyone needs any cuda or mopar parts for there projects go to JIMSAUTOPART.COM.
I found almost everything I needed at that sight for my cyda aar.
March 11th, 2009 at 9:27 am
i had a 1970 dodge challenger r/t back in 1978 w/ 440 magnum and 4 speed pistol grip, stupidly i sold the car for 5,000 back in the 80’s. i missed it terribly. now i have a 1972 plymouth cuda with a brand newly redone 1969 440-6pack motor. i got 525 hp out of her and put in a 727 w/sprag kit in with my 355 gears in a posi rear. i bought the cuda 2 yrs ago for 2,000 it needed everything. was just a shell. i invested almost 10,000 into it already but it was well worth it. i drove it this past sept for the first time and i was excited like a little kid. cant explain the feeling of being behind the wheel of a cuda with a 440 motor and posi rear. what a rush…..
April 27th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Hello, My name is Jerald G Robinson. Back in 1974 I was visiting my brother Jeff in Fountain, colorado. My wife went back to Hawaii for awhile and later decided to stay. She ask me to come back to Hawaii, so I thought about it and a few weeks later departed the Denver air port. But what was I going to do with my CUDA 1970 AAR well, I had a friend named Nora. The morning I was to leave, Nora was at work, so I had her daughter, Sunshine,and her boyfriend give me a ride to denver in my cuda, I gave her the keys and did’nt look back. To this day, I will always wonder WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CUDA? It was lime green and not a day goes by I dont think of it. What a bone head I was. My adress is po box 73 Merrill, WI. cell#715-212-7846 If anyone knows where it is? The car does have some interesting history. Thank you
May 8th, 2009 at 1:24 am
Do you have VIN number? I may know where it is.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Hi Harry, No I don’t have papers from my past. My wife died in 1976 shortly after we came back from Hawaii and shortly after that ( two months after her death ) I got into a car accident and ended up comatos for 18 days. while I was out, I lost our house and all posessions including important papers and documents. I guess at the time I was just glad to be alive, so didn’t care about anything else. My phone number is in the above comment and so is my address. cell# 715-212-7846 You can call at any time, Thanks for your response, Jerry Robinson 510 North Hendricks st. Merrill, Wi. 54552
June 29th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I have a complete 4 speed T/A motor for sale. Includes alternator, carbs, original U code heads, valve covers etc. Jan. 70 build date. standard bore and it’s been magnifluxed….no cracks.
Also, I have a forest green AAR Cuda for sale with original motor, auto, black interior and it has power steering, power brakes, fast ratio steering. The car was sold at Carlisle in the mid 1980s and I think it may have been a Pennsylvania car. Anyone with info on the car, interested in the car or the motor….please e-mail me at
ngotter@comcast.net
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
The Cuda is definitely a sweet ride!