Introduced in 1964, the original Plymouth Barracuda was, alongside the Ford Mustang, one of the first pony cars in showrooms. And just like its more iconic competitor, the Barracuda morphed into a fully-blown muscle car toward the end of the decades.
Launched for the 1970 model year, the third-gen 'Cuda is the ultimate iteration of the nameplate. Built on the then new E-body platform, shared with the first-geneneration Dodge Challenger, the 1970 'Cuda arrived with more aggressive styling and lots of big-block V8 options.
The options list included not only the four- and six-barrel versions of the 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB. Plymouth also offered the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI in its smallest muscle car. The mill wasn't very popular though and Plymouth sold 666 cars in 1970 and 114 examples in 1971.
As a result, the HEMI 'Cuda is the rarest and most expensive iteration of the third-generation Mopar. And most enthusiasts argue that it's also the coolest E-body ever built. As a Mopar enthusiast, that's something I can't argue with. However, the AAR 'Cuda is just as awesome as the HEMI version in my book.
Sure, the AAR is nowhere near as powerful as the 426 HEMI-equipped car. While the latter comes with 425 horsepower on tap, the 340-cubic-inch (5.6-liter) six-barrel generates only 290 horsepower. There's no Shaker hood either on the AAR. But this homologation special has a lot of other things to brag about.
For starters, it's one-year wonder. The HEMI 'Cuda was also short-lived, staying in showrooms for only a couple years. But the AAR was produced for only a few months during the 1970 model years. Created to homologate the Barracuda for SSCA Trans Am racing, the AAR was discontinued as soon as Plymouth decided to abandon the series.
It's also unique among other 'Cudas. It has an exclusive 340 V8 with a trio of two-barrel carbs, a unique stripe package, and a fiberglass hood. Its suspension setup is also unique and makes the AAR more suitable for track duty. So while it's not as potent as the HEMI, it's definitely lighter and more nimble. Chances are the AAR will leave a HEMI 'Cuda well behind on a twisty track.
Last but not least, the AAR is also a rare gem. Granted, it's not quite as scarce as the HEMI, but AAR production came to a halt after only 2,724 units were built. That's less than 6% of the total Barracuda production for the 1970 model year.
Why am I suddenly glorifying the AAR 'Cuda, you ask? For starters, this E-body deserves a lot of love. Second, YouTube's "Dead Dodge Garage" just got its hands on one in Burnt Orange and filmed a cool 10-minute showcase. Hit play for the full walkaround and crank up the volume for small-block V8 goodness.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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