Frame Up Restored AAR 'Cuda 340 Six Pack V8 4 Speed

Back in 2008, Car and Driver did an overview of the fastest cars they had tested across several decades. It's probably not a big surprise that there were two Mopars on the list for the 1970s category. What may surprise you is that both of them were 340-powered. If you overlooked these little brutes in the past, it's time to hop behind the wheel of a car like this '70 AAR 'Cuda and become a believer. Of the 2,724 AAR's produced for the model year, less than 200 left the factory dressed in FK5 Deep Burnt Orange Metallic. This AAR is one of them and, thanks to a full restoration, the car presents as new throughout. If the Trans Am look gets your motor going, don't wait around on this one. Restored and ready for the side roads, this E-body is likely to follow the path of its other AAR-striped siblings and head out of the showroom in a hurry.

Here are some of the car's factory characteristics as shown by the broadcast sheet:

410: Scheduled production date: April 10, 1970
A53: Trans Am package
A62: Rallye Dash (optional)
B51: Power brakes
D21: 4-speed A-833 manual transmission
D56: 3.55:1 gears
E55: Engine, 340ci.290hp V8
G15: Tinted window glass
G34: Painted left hand remote outside mirror
H6X9: High trim grade black vinyl bucket interior
J45: Hood tie down pins with lanyards
J78: Front spoiler (optional)
J82: Rear ducktail spoiler
M21: Drip rail moldings
M88: Deck molding treatment
N44: Side exit dual exhaust
N85: Tachometer (optional)
N94: Fiberglass fresh air hood
R11: Music Master 2 watt AM radio
S74: Fast ratio steering
V6H: Longitudinal strobe stripe

While most associate the AAR 'Cudas with colors like Sublime Green or Plum Crazy Purple, the cars wear more subtle colors just as well. FK5 is a tricky color to get right but this E-body nails it thanks to top notch restoration work by Coventry Restorations in West Wyoming, PA. There are some long stretches of relatively straight metal on these car, so getting the body work right is a big deal. Everything presents well, with no noteworthy wrinkles or flaws to be found anywhere. The top is coat is even and has a luster to it that the OEM stuff could never touch. The Burnt Orange Metallic is complemented by the signature black-hood treatment AAR's received, matched by the distinctive strobe side stripes. Panel fitment is spot on and, overall, the car makes a very strong first impression.

The AAR's track-bred look is backed up by a long list of supporting details. Up front, a satin black stainless trimmed 'Cuda grille holds clear headlights and parking lights above a nicely aged front bumper. Below, two clear driving lights are centered between AAR 'eyebrow' spoilers which give the body a wider, more aggressive appearance. Behind the grille, an AAR exclusive fiberglass hood is correctly secured by two hood pins. At the back of that hood, clean glass is bordered by respectfully preserved stainless trim and body-matched sport mirrors. The rear window sports a set of louvers for some extra style. At the sides of the car, flush satin finish door handles and cool gold Chrysler Pentastar emblems combine with correct stainless side exit exhaust tips to provide an authentic race ready appearance. Behind those stripes, a satin black 'ducktail' spoiler sits above a traditional satin black 'Cuda rear valence which hangs the tail lights and a cool silver “'Cuda” emblem above a second show worthy chrome bumper with guards. Unlike most dressed and decaled cars which tend to throw good taste out the window, this AAR 'Cuda seamlessly balances a cool personality with flashy good looks to create a timeless muscle car with instant appeal.

Pull the pins on the flat black fiberglass hood and you'll find a date-code correct 340 cubic inch Mopar T/A block, with a 357713OTA casting number and November 24, 1969 date code. Although SCCA Trans Am race cars were limited to 302 cubic inches, Plymouth stuck to the tried and true “no replacement for displacement” rule for street applications. This fully rebuilt 340 utilizes three Holley two-barrel carburetors bolted to an Edelbrock dual plane intake. At either side, unique high-flow heads hide beneath painted valve covers. The cars Burnt Orange paint plays well with the the 340's fresh coat of Hemi Orange and the massive correctly-decaled Six Pack air cleaner looks great peeking through the cars functional black hood. As with most restored Mopars these days, all the little details have been correctly duplicated or restored; correct hoses and clamps run to and from a correct 26 inch radiator, there's a correct reproduction Mopar battery, and even the plug wires are authentic looking Chrysler Electronic Suppression units. Turn the key and the 340 roars to life, creating a healthy racket through coated Hooker long-tube headers that flow into a side-exiting exhaust system with Dynomax mufflers.

Take a look underneath the car to find a rock solid undercarriage ready for years of cruising. The floors received a light undercoating, while everything else returned to factory specs. In the center, the original A-833 4-speed manual topped with a Hurst Pistol Grip shifter makes shifting a simple experience while, out back, an 8.75 inch Sure Grip rear axle with 3.55 gears is held up by specially tuned shocks and re-cambered rear springs which also lift the rear of the car roughly two inches to accommodate the unique side-exit exhaust system. Braking is handled by a factory equipped power front discs and heavy duty 11-inch rear drums, while the car grips the pavement through a set of 15-inch Rallye wheels featuring wrapped in fresh BF Goodrich Radial T/A rubber.

Inside, the car's mostly original black vinyl interior is simple and functional. The original driver and passenger high-back buckets look good and feel comfortably broken in like a favorite recliner. Below the seats, new black carpet is protected by heavy duty rubber 'Cuda mats, and, above the seats, a new headliner stretches from door to door and window to window. At either side, molded panels proudly hold the 'Cuda name amid subtle stainless trim while, in front of the driver the stock dash offers simple factory instrumentation that tracks speed, fuel, temperature and alternator output. The column offers control of the front wheels through a wood grain three-spoke steering wheel while the Pistol Grip floor shifter tells the A-833 what range to operate within. To the right, a Kenwood AM/FM/CD player replaces the Music Master with some modern technology. Take a look under the decklid and you'll find a nicely finished trunk with a new mat and a correct collapsible spare tire that's complete with an inflator bottle and a full jack assembly.

One of the most important documents an AAR can have is its original broadcast sheet and that's exactly what you'll find included in the sale. The car's more recent past is documented by receipts that cover the work Coventry did as well as miscellaneous parts receipts.

The AAR might be the most collectable of the small block Mopars. With a fascinating story behind them, they were a successful experiment from a time when automakers were willing to try almost anything to improve their performance credentials. If you're ready to hit the road with track-born looks, a high-revving 340, and four-gears at your fingertips, get in touch today. These AAR's never sit around for long!