Produced for just one model season, the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda has attained to a stellar level of desirability. After all, this sports model with its unique 340 6-barrel engine, special suspension pieces and exclusive body parts is a part of Mopar history. However, those terms become more striking on this particular example. Previously from the private collection of NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham, this AAR is unrestored with 34,500 original miles. It retains its original sheet metal and FY1 Lemon Twist paint, and it’s one of only 1,120 AAR Cudas produced with the 4-speed transmission. Sold new at H.L. Moore Chrysler Plymouth in Albany, California, this incredible car is documented with the original broadcast sheet, window sticker, copies of previous titles and the bill of sale from Evernham Enterprise; more recently, it took Top Show Honors at the invitation-only Le Concours de Livingston in 2015. The AAR was created to homologate parts for the SCCA’s popular Trans-Am racing program. AAR stood for All-American Racers, operated by the legendary Dan Gurney, who was associated with Plymouth during that pivotal year. SCCA rules required that a minimum number of production cars would be built with any special parts to be raced, which in this case included a spoiler package, fiberglass hood, quick-ratio steering parts, stiffer suspension and even a unique side-exit exhaust design. The example came off the assembly line in Hamtramck in April 1970 for California delivery. The engine under the hood is a period, unstamped, dealer- installed AAR-spec 340/290 HP warranty replacement block. This replacement was done by the originating dealer in 1971. It has the original Holley carburetors and free-flowing exhaust manifolds intact. Behind that is the original A833 4-speed manual transmission and 3.91 Sure Grip differential. The car was further aided in its performance with fast-ratio power steering and power front disc brakes. The exterior is highlighted with the premium-cost paint and fender blackout to match the hood; hood pins were mandated on all AARs due to its fiberglass construction. A strobe-like stripe graphic ending in the AAR emblem is on each side, with other Cuda-specific touches visible. Inside, the original interior—which retains the factory floor boards and trunk compartment—features high-back bucket seats, a Hurst Pistol Grip 4-speed shifter, a period-correct Chrysler Parts dealer column-mount tachometer, and a Solid State AM radio. In addition to the inflatable spare and jack in the trunk, Mr. Evernham’s signature and the date written on the decklid. A final touch are the factory Rallye wheels with offset Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, all part of the AAR legend. Beautiful throughout, this Plymouth with its special history and documented originality represents a highlight of both the AAR Cuda’s production and American auto racing. As with any example as desirable as what is seen here, the opportunity at owning this AAR Cuda may not present itself again any time soon.
