The Legendary 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda AAR! A 340 4 Speed Powered Factory Road Course Racer

Dodge and Plymouth E-Body cars are some of the most memorable muscle era machines. They were late to the party, arriving in 1970 - and some enthusiasts might argue that they were really only any good for two years, '70 and '71. Found in some of the best of them were 426 Hemis, which obviously deserve a mention. But those cars were heavy, unwieldy, a pain in the butt to service, and often broken. In my book, the best package that could be had was the small block 340 with a four speed behind it. In the short and light Challengers and 'Cudas, it was plenty fast, and much better balanced. And the best cars in the category? The 340 six pack / six barrel equipped Challenger T/A, and its Plymouth brother - the 'Cuda AAR. These cars were built to go around corners, and then accelerate out of them with authority. What a cool package.

[vermontguy]

Agree with you 100%. For my money, the AAR 'Cuda and Challenger T/A are the best E-bodies ever, bar none. Sure, the Hemi cars can make more tire smoke, but they can't touch one of these for balance. I did a 100 mile drive in 55 minutes in one of these in 1971 and have never forgotten it.

[RCAquadruplex]

In April of '71, I bought a used B5 4 speed, 3.91 AAR that also had the fast ratio steering option. In '72, I came across a '70 Hemicuda...automatic, Super Trak Pak which I thought would be fun as well. These were my two "everyday" cars, but I found the AAR was so much more fun to drive, that I hardly drove the Hemicuda. That thing drove like a dump truck compared to the AAR, and I sold it after about a year, and sold the AAR about a year after that...foolishly. I managed to find my original AAR again in 1990, bought it back and had it restored and still loving it today.

[ryansoltess]

Absolutely beautiful car.
Strobe stripe gets me every time!

[AnthonyvalveRB]

Wow my dream E body especially it being a AAR. What makes that 340 the best and most rare is its casted for it to be a 4 bolt main engine and best cylinder heads relocating the intake pushrod to be able to port the intake alot. This is why i love Chrysler for making that from the factory for you to build some serious power.

[joshuajesch]

I love that exhaust sound. I swear them mufflers think they are glasspacks. Thanks also for showing us this one too and the free ride along.

[pcbullets]

Wow! What a special car. That thing kicks ass!

[johnmullins]

Cool car! You definitely have some perks at your job!

[altpraize]

Another great review, keep up the good work. Awesome cars.

[r.hill.]

Stunning vehicle. Thanks for sharing it Jaime!

[bennyvazquez]

That AAR CUDA is bad ass. How ever I love your 392 swap 6 speed.

[nathanielwaters]

Wow Dude, love the AAR/ T/A 'Cudas' and Challengers, I actually like them over the BIG Block and HEMI E-bodies!!! Mopar Nate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

[Ross]

Find you a construction zone with Jersey barriers on both sides. The reverb of those side exhausts bouncing back is heaven. The cackle when you let off the gas....

[charleshanson]

A friend of mine has one.But he's modified it heavily, kept the 340, with EFI, and re-did all the suspension with a kit that uses late model aluminum Corvette parts.

[mikedaugharty]

Thanks Jamie for all the info about the unique stuff on the AR's and TA's I did not know a lot of things that you explained I've never owned one so I guess I don't know that idiosyncrasies of them but now I do

[andrewgalvan]

My 70 Challenger RT has that same thing on the center console. I had no idea that's for the seat belts!

[jamesadams]

Thanks..now I have the" party all the time " song stuck in my head

[randylear]

I went out today in my White 70 340 Challenger. I only have a 4 barrel though. Or is it a 4 pack? Your drive was similar to mine. But I was a little easier on it. That drive in these machines is therapeutic to say the least. And the people I run across just love the car. Soon my 70 GTX will be completed and I too will have a six barrel to help recycle oxygen. Thanks again for the ride along. That AAR Cuda is awesome. Totally awesome. 😀

[davidlewis]

Jaime you have sooo many cool cars...You are living a dream..

[dantupper]

My Friday is Much Better Now!!
Thanks for the owner letting you record playing with it!
Thanks Jamie!

[LICobra]

1970 E-Bodies were always favorite, AAR Cuda 4 speed and Rallye dash...Nice