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Mopar
Information: HomeMusclecar InformationClassicPlymouth
AAR 'Cuda |
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1970 Plymouth AAR 'Cuda
Race Version:
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Above: Swede Savage (left) and
Dan Gurney (right) pose with the new 1970 Plymouth Barracuda at
Riverside Raceway in February 1970. |
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| Ford Mustangs had won the
5.0-liter class of the SCCA Trans-American Championship for
Manufacturers in 1966 and 1967, and Chevrolet took the trophies
in 1968 and 1969. In 1970 Plymouth hired Dan Gurney and his
racing team All American Racers to build and race two Trans-Am 'Cudas.
One driven by Gurney and the second by Swede Savage. |
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| The Trans-Am cars were built from
stock bodies. SCCA rules required that the cars appearance remain
absolutely stock. This meant roll up windows, no scoops or spoilers
that weren't available on factory models. The rules also required a
stock engine block and heads, with maximum displacement of 305 cubic
inches and a single four-barrel carb. To enter the Trans-Am series,
Plymouth also had to build 2,500 street versions of its racing 'Cuda. |
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| To conform with the 305 C.I. rule,
Chrysler Trans-Am manager Pete Hutchinson and engine builder Keith
Black destroked the small-block 340 to 303.8 cubic inches. They also
developed new cast-iron heads with pushrod holes shifted slightly to
permit bigger ports. Early on, Chrysler reported 460 hp, but
development produced more as the 1970 racing season progressed. |
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| The AAR Cuda got off to a slow
start in the 1970 series and never saw the checkered flag and
finished last in the standings. The cars usually qualified well, and
found themselves on the pole on occasion. But the cars rarely
finished, and typically limped home when they did. At the end of the
year, Chrysler pulled the plug on its unsuccessful effort. Plymouth
produced 2,724 examples of the AAR street version. |
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Source Of
Information: DaimlerChrysler Corporation |
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