1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda’
Performance model Barracuda built for Trans Am race homologation.
Built under license by Dan Gurney’s All American Racing Team
Unique one year model with high impact body color, unique stripe, lightweight fiberglass hood with functional hood scoop
The 1970 Plymouth All American Racer (AAR) ‘Cuda’ was not your typical muscle car as it was engineered to race on road courses rather than at the drag strip. The vehicle shown here in Lemon Twist yellow is one of 2700 AAR Cudas built to meet Trans Am class racing minimum build requirements. Smaller displacement engines under 350 cubic inches required by the series encouraged builders to refine their “small block” engines for competition.
In 1970 Chrysler Plymouth contracted Dan Gurney’s All American Race Team to build and campaign the ‘Cuda for SCCA TransAm racing. Gurney and racer Swede Savage would race the car throughout the 1970 season but with limited success against more established factory backed teams. The team was to race only one season before Plymouth abandoned the series.
While a 1970 Barracuda could be purchased with a 455 hp 426 cubic inch Hemi engine, the 340ci engine with 3 two-barrel Holley carburetors in the AAR “Cuda” was more tractable on a road course and could still power the car to a top speed of over 135mph. Combined with a 4-speed transmission and numerous suspension and handling features, the car could compete with the Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, and Javelins on the race course.
The AAR ‘Cuda’ held many cosmetic and performance differences to the run of the mill Barracudas including a fiberglass hood with functional hood scoop, special offset size tires, and front and rear spoilers to increase downforce on the track. Graphics and an AAR ‘Cuda decal on the rear quarter panel were unique to this model.
Specifications:
Engine: OHV V8 340 cu in with three 2-barrel Holley carburetors
Horsepower: 290 bhp at 5,000 rpm
Torque: 345 ft-lbs. at 3,400 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Max speed: 137 mph