Plymouth 'Cuda AAR 340 Six Pack

Plymouth 'Cuda AAR 340 Six Pack

The 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda AAR is one of the most desirable and distinctive muscle cars of the golden era, born directly from Chrysler's involvement in the Sports Car Club of America Trans-American Sedan Championship. AAR stood for All American Racers, Dan Gurney's racing team that campaigned the 'Cuda in the Trans-Am series during the 1970 season. SCCA rules required manufacturers to produce road-going homologation versions of their race cars, and the AAR 'Cuda was Plymouth's answer to that mandate.

The AAR 'Cuda was built exclusively for the 1970 model year, with a total production run of only 2,724 units. Every AAR came equipped with the 340 Six Pack engine, which used three Holley two-barrel carburetors mounted on an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. The center carburetor handled normal driving, while the two outboard units opened under heavy throttle, providing a visceral surge of power and a distinctive induction roar. Chrysler officially rated the 340 Six Pack at 290 horsepower, but this was widely considered to be significantly underrated for insurance purposes. Actual dyno tests consistently showed output closer to 325-340 horsepower.

One of the AAR's most distinctive features was its exhaust system. Unlike every other muscle car of the era, the AAR featured side-exit exhausts that dumped just ahead of the rear wheels, giving the car a unique and aggressive exhaust note. The system was required for racing homologation, as the Trans-Am cars needed ground clearance for the rear diffuser area. On the street, the side exhausts gave the AAR an unmistakable identity — you could spot one by sound alone.

The suspension was equally special. While most muscle cars of the era wallowed on soft springs, the AAR received a competition-oriented suspension package developed specifically for road racing. This included heavy-duty torsion bars, a front anti-roll bar, a rear anti-roll bar (uncommon on Chrysler products), and special Hurst/Koni adjustable shock absorbers. The rear leaf springs were specially calibrated, and the car sat noticeably lower than a standard 'Cuda. The result was a muscle car that could actually handle corners, a rarity in 1970.

The AAR's visual identity was unmistakable. A matte black fiberglass hood scoop with functional air extraction vents dominated the front. Bold side stripes ran the length of the body, incorporating the AAR designation. A rear spoiler and a blacked-out rear panel completed the aggressive look. The car rode on staggered-width tires: E60-15 on the front and G60-15 on the rear, mounted on distinctive 15x7 Rallye wheels. This staggered setup was another racing-derived feature that improved cornering balance.

Transmission choices were a four-speed manual with a Hurst pistol-grip shifter or the TorqueFlite three-speed automatic. The vast majority of buyers chose the manual, which is the configuration most sought after by collectors today. The rear axle was a Dana 60, one of the strongest units available, fitted with 3.55:1 or 3.91:1 gear ratios depending on transmission choice.

On the race track, Dan Gurney's team found the 'Cuda competitive but ultimately outgunned by the dominant Ford Boss 302 Mustangs and Chevrolet Camaros. The Trans-Am series would undergo significant changes the following year, and Chrysler withdrew from competition, making 1970 the only year for the AAR program.

Today the AAR 'Cuda is one of the most collectible Mopar muscle cars. Its combination of limited production, racing heritage, unique mechanical features, and aggressive styling make it irresistible to serious collectors. The AAR represents everything that made the muscle car era magical: a production car born from racing, available to anyone who walked into a Plymouth dealer, and designed to be driven hard.