Documented Mopar Nationals First Place AAR 'Cuda 340 Six Pack V8 4 Speed PS

SUMMARY

* Restoration completed in October of 2010
* Placed first at the 2012 Mopar Nationals
* Original 340 cubic inch LA V8 / Dyno-tuned
* Original A833 4-speed manual transmission
* Original sheetmetal / Correct Lemon Twist paint / Correct AAR aesthetics
* Correct Black interior
* Sale includes: Three broadcast sheets / Galen's Registry papers / Mopar Nats judging sheets
* Sale includes: Restoration photos / The car's SuperFlow WinDyn results
* Correct 8.75-inch rear axle / Correct Rallye wheels
* Factory power steering / Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes

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Whenever Chrysler decides to assemble a purpose-built performer whose main mission is to kick asphalt and take names, the results are usually spectacular. And there's just something about documented, SCCA-inspired pony cars that makes them universally appealing and highly collectable. Of course, we ALL know big block MoPars have been fetching big money prices for years. But what most collectors fail to realize is that equally exclusive small block cars, like this Mopar Nationals-winning AAR 'Cuda, are just as hot and sometimes a better investment. With their excellent combination of power and handling, broad aftermarket support system and increasingly rare status, these classics enjoy one of the fastest sell-through rates of anything in our showroom. And this Lemon Twist coupe is a factory-correct gem that'll likely follow the quick-sale path of its striped and piped siblings. If you want a truly exclusive classic that does more than blister a straight line and under steer through corners, you'd better hurry up and clear some garage space!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Assembled in Hamtramck, Michigan in April of 1970, this spectacular pentastar is the beneficiary of a professional restoration that was completed in October of 2010. During that thorough rebuild, the car's all-original body, which includes solid-closing doors on top of excellent panel alignment, was stripped to bare metal, massaged into shape and thoroughly block-sanded into virtually flawless surfaces. Once those surfaces were completely clean and fully prepped, correct Lemon Twist 2-stage was accented with correct strobe stripes and dressed in correct war paint. And today, after a mere 150 miles of road time, this precise Plymouth rolls as a national award-winning collector car that's primed for a serious investor.

Not surprisingly, this AAR's track-bred appearance is backed by a long list of correct details. At the front of its glowing profile, a familiar, stainless-trimmed grille hangs a small “PLYMOUTH” script between clear headlights, flush-fit parking lamps, a correct elastomeric bumper and decaled driving lights. Behind that grille, a lightweight, AAR-exclusive hood, which is secured by fresh stainless lanyards, rolls a correct suede topcoat toward new glass that's framed in straight stainless trim. At the sides of that hood, bright door handles and correct racing mirrors combine with spotless exhaust tips and correct wind wings to provide an authentic, factory-fresh appearance. And at the back of the car, a Satin Black valence hangs fresh taillights and a small “'cuda” script between a second chrome bumper and correct ducktail spoiler.

ENGINE

Pull the pins on this coupe's matte-finished hood and you'll find an original, 340 cubic inch LA V8 that's authenticated by a familiar 3577130TA casting number, a November (11) 25th (25), 1969 (69) casting date and a matching partial VIN. Although SCCA Trans Am racecars were limited to 302 cubic inches, Plymouth stuck to the tried and true “no replacement for displacement” rule for street applications. That means this car received a powerplant that was specifically designed for high performance turnpike warriors. And, thanks to Holley tri-power carburetion, a correct Edelbrock intake, a high performance points distributor, high-flow cylinder heads and unique internals, it turned hefty 10.5 to 1 compression into 315 fire-breathing horses straight from the factory. That said; SCCA regulations and increasing insurance costs forced Chrysler to actually underrate the mill's output to just 290. But, in reality, the car easily disposed of most 'equally powered' stoplight challengers. Whatever the number, this engine's spotless bay is in brilliant, show-ready condition, displaying immaculate detailing and exact finishes throughout. Awesome Lemon Twist fenders provide excellent contrast to a glossy layer of Hemi Orange skin. A bright air cleaner looks great peeking through the aforementioned hood. And, as with most of today's award winning MoPars, every detail on this dyno-tuned beast has been returned to a convincing level of factory authenticity.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this impressive 'Cuda on a lift and you'll find exceptionally clean floors that feature a correct pattern of overspray. The high-winding small block churns power through an original A833 4-speed, which is authenticated by a March 12th, 1970 build stamp and matching partial VIN. That transmission spins a correct 8.75-inch axle. The car's suspension has been fully rebuilt to include factory power steering and correct power front disc and rear drum brakes. As expected, those 11-inch, AAR-exclusive drums are accompanied by specially tuned shocks and re-cambered springs that tilt the car to accommodate its unique exhaust pipes. Speaking of that exhaust, the usual 'muffler shop special' look has been exchanged for a clean, OEM-style appearance. And hooking all that mechanical prowess to the pavement is freshly restored Rallye wheels which spin E60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs in front of G60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs to employ one of the first applications of staggered tire sizing.

INTERIOR

Swivel this Plymouth's solid-closing doors and you'll find a correct interior that's functional, straightforward and very livable. The front bucket and rear bench seats are wrapped in standard vinyl covers that display virtually no signs of wear. In front of those seats, a clean, wood-trimmed dash frames correct Rallye gauges above a correct Chrysler 8-track player. Fade-free carpet, weather-free door panels and a fresh headliner frame those components in a sea of serious black. The driver navigates the course through a wood-rimmed steering wheel and beefy Hurst Pistol Grip. And behind the cockpit, a fully finished trunk centers a correct jack and new space saver spare between a correct mat and new decklid decal.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

According to this coupe's duo of original fender tags, it rolled out of Chrysler's Dodge Main manufacturing facility in April of 1970 packed with the following equipment:

FIRST TAG:

* E55: 340 cubic inch V8 that's equipped with three 2-barrel carburetors
* D21: A833 heavy-duty 4-speed manual transmission
* B: Plymouth Barracuda
* S: Special
* 23: 2-door hardtop
* J: 340 SIX BARREL V8 that utilizes three 2-barrel carburetors to create 290 horsepower
* 0: 1970 model year
* B: Assembled at Chrysler's Dodge Main manufacturing facility
* XXXXXX: Production Sequence Number
* FY1: Hi-Impact Lemon Twist paint
* H: High Trim Grade interior
* 6: Vinyl bucket seats
* X9: Black interior
* 000: Full door panels
* 403: Assembled on April 3rd, 1970
* M03440: Vehicle Order Number
* FY1: Hi-Impact Lemon Twist roof paint
* A21: Body-colored, elastomeric front bumper
* A53: Trans Am Package
* A62: Rallye Instrument Cluster
* B51: Power brakes
* C55: Bucket seats
* G36: Remote driver's mirror/ Manual passenger's mirror
* J45: Hood pins
* J82: Ducktail decklid spoiler
* M21: Drip rail mouldings
* M88: Quarter panel tape treatment
* N44: AAR TA standard-exit exhaust
* N85: Tachometer
* N94: Fiberglass 'Fresh Air' hood
* R22: AM radio that's complete with an 8-track player
* V6H: Black, longitudinal Trans Am stripes
* Y05: Built to United States specifications
* 26: 26-inch radiator
* EN1: End of codes, assembly line one

SECOND TAG:

* TRANS AM

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AWARDS

* First Place at the 2012 Mopar Nationals

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OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

* Three original broadcast sheets
* Copies of two of the car's previous titles
* Restoration photos
* Galen's Registry paperwork
* The car's SuperFlow WinDyn results
* The car's Mopar Nationals judging sheets
* A copy of the July, 1970 edition of Car & Driver Magazine
* Reproduction factory literature
* A reproduction window sticker
* A few spare parts
* Two sets of keys

All American Racers 'Cudas are a cool experiment from a time when automakers were willing to try anything to improve their performance credentials. When that purpose-built personality is combined with this coupe's original drivetrain, award-winning restoration and triple-digit exclusivity, it creates the perfect recipe for an unbeatable collector's piece. In today's shaky economic climate, investing in something that makes you smile isn't a bad idea. But remember: nothing with strobe stripes sticks around our showroom for very long!