134297 / 1970 Plymouth AAR 'Cuda

If you're looking for some factory-correct muscle that does more than blister a straight line and under steer through corners, this Burnt Orange 'Cuda is your next classic!

Our story begins in Wisconsin, where this Mopar spent most of its life. In the late 90s, devoid of its original engine, the car was found in a barn, haphazardly restored and sold for a tidy profit. Its new owner commenced years of daily use, and the subsequent weathering of that daily use. And when its current owner came to the rescue, he coordinated a long-term, rotisserie reboot that included roughly $25K in paint and body work. Naturally, everything on this coupe presents well, with no noteworthy flaws or wrinkles found anywhere. That means fit and finish is spot on, with a modern two-stage reflecting a luster that vintage Chrysler sprayers could never touch. In traditional All American Racers style, that luster is complemented by a sinister hood treatment and equally distinctive strobe stripes. And the result is one super slick road warrior that wraps brutal performance and a high level of accuracy in classic Mopar lines and killer good looks.

Pull the pins on this Cuda's lightweight hood and you'll find a correct, 340 cubic inch LA V8 that's authenticated by a 3577130TA casting number and November (11) 24th (24) of 1969 (9) casting date. 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. That means this car received a powerplant that was specifically designed for high performance turnpike warriors. And, thanks to its 2-barrel Holley carburetors, correct Edelbrock intake, high performance points distributor, high-flow cylinder heads and unique internals, it turns hefty 10.5 to 1 compression into 315 fire-breathing horses. That said; SCCA regulations and increasing insurance costs forced Chrysler to actually underrate the mill's output to just 290 horses. But, in reality, the car easily disposes of most 'equally powered' stoplight challengers.

That high-winding small block twists torque through an original A833 4-speed and heavy duty, 8.75-inch rear end that's fitted with gnarly, 4.10 gears. The car's suspension has been fully rebuilt to include a factory steering rack and fresh power front disc and rear drum brakes. And hooking all that mechanical prowess to the pavement is a set of 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.

Inside, the car's stalwart vinyl interior is simple and purposeful. The original high-back bucket seats look good and feel comfortable thanks to fresh Legendary covers. In front of those seats, a stock dash hangs restored Rallye instrumentation above a correct Chrysler Solid State radio. And the driver keeps his bearing through a wood grain, three-spoke steering wheel.