1970 AAR Cuda-Numbers Matching Restored

1970 Plymouth Barracuda Additional Info:

Car is sold as-is, where is with no warranty of any kind written, expressed or implied. Car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end the auction at any time contingent upon an acceptable offer. Not interested in ANY trades. If paying by money order we will wait for it to clear all banking systems before releasing car or title. If paying with bank check we will independently verify funds availability.

We bought the 1970 AAR Cuda several years ago as a numbers matching restored AAR CUDA. The engine pad matches the VIN, dash VIN, and fender tags. There was no build sheet and when we removed the rear seat there was no build sheet. We have pictures of the entire tear down and repaint of the CUDA. The car appears to have been professionally restored by a top shop, completed at the top of the price market in late 2007 and then neglected mechanically for many years until we bought it. Luckily the car was stored inside so that physically it was still excellent when we received it, and we have repaired all of the issues with NOS Mopar parts. The mileage shown on the odometer is not correct and we do not know how many miles are on the car-when we rebuilt the odometer we placed it at 65,000 miles.

Keys, locks, handles & ignition switch

When we received the car the driver door would not lock, the trunk did not close correctly and none of the keys matched. We purchased new OEM Chrysler lock cylinders and replaced the trunk, glove & console locks with key matched units while adjusting the trunk lock to properly close. We then replaced both door cylinders and found the lock to mechanism rod on the driver door was broken, which we replaced with a new OEM rod. We then replaced the ignition key cylinder so that doors and ignition keys all matched and finally purchased new Chrysler key blanks and had the keys matched as original in 1970. Now one key fits the trunk and glove box and console, and 1 separate key fits the doors and ignition, as originally made. Replaced turn signal switch and ignition switch while apart. We did not retain old parts. We replaced the console lid with NOS and repaired the non-functioning latch mechanism on the console lid (It had been installed backwards).

Hoses and belts

When we received the car the hoses were not MOPAR hoses, used incorrect worm clamps and the after-market water pump leaked. We found a rebuilt OEM Mopar date correct water pump online and replaced it and the bypass hose, at the same time replacing all worm clamps with correct Chrysler clamps, repainting the bypass hose to match the original. We also removed the radiator, had it flushed, repaired and repainted and then re-installed all components and installed new antifreeze. We did not retain old parts. Replaced both belts 65,072 on 5/23/15, retaining original MOPAR belts.

Wheels and tires

When we received the car it had incorrect rear wheels and new Goodrich Radial T/A’s. We purchased 2 correct rear wheels and 4 new Goodyear Polyglas GT tires and another set of wheels as originally equipped, mounting them with new valve stems and nitrogen fill. We have retained all old wheel and tire sets and trim rings. The car thus comes with 1 complete set of original Rally wheels with new Polyglas tires, and 1 complete set of new Rally wheels with BF Goodrich Radial T/A's for the buyer.

Neutral Start

When we purchased the car the back-up lights did not work, the switch leaked and the car was inconsistent on starting. We found an incorrect neutral start switch and replaced with OEM, and found a multiply spliced and bypassed neutral start wiring harness so we replaced the wiring harness with new OEM neutral start wiring harness and found the bulb in the console shifter was both missing and the wiring not hooked up, We replaced the bulb with a new LED bulb and attached the wiring to the harness. We did not retain the old parts. The car now starts correctly and consistently and the back-up lights once again function correctly.

Fog lamps

When we purchased the cars the fog lamps had incorrect and multiply spliced wiring. We purchased new OEM wiring harness for the fog lamps, removed and cleaned the lamps and installed a new wiring harness and a new NOS fog lamp relay. We did retain the old harness. The fog lamps now work and switch correctly.

Radio Antenna

When we purchased the car the radio antenna was loose in the right rear fender. We found that the special AAR antenna mounting bracket was missing and installed a new OEM mount bracket. The antenna now fits tightly without vibration or movement.

Radio

When we purchased the car it had a missing dash speaker, non-functional rear package tray speakers and a non-functional 1972 AM/FM radio. The car was originally delivered with an AM Music Master radio. We found a date-correct AM radio on EBay, purchased it and then sent it to Ward’s Classic car repair in Alabama for rebuilding. We then also sent out the incorrect 1972 AM/FM radio to Ward’s and also had it rebuilt. We installed new rear package tray speakers but were unable to install a new dash speaker because it requires dash pad removal. We decided to re-install the rebuilt AM/FM radio and have not installed the newly rebuilt correct AM Music Master, but have kept it on the shelf. We did not retain any old after-market parts except the refurbished correct AM radio. The buyer will receive both the installed and rebuilt & working AM/Fm radio as well as the not-installed re-built and working AM radio.

Dash Wiring harness and gauges

When we purchased the car it had a rally dash with mostly non-functional gauges and a rat’s nest of wiring with multiple splices, non-functional wipers, incorrect plugs, loose wires and bad connections. We removed the existing rally dash and sent it to Performance Car Graphics in Florida for rebuild. We also ordered a new dash wiring harness for a rally dash. At that point we determined that the car was not originally built with a rally dash, but rather with a non-rally dash. We decided to stick with the rally dash and if we ever sold the car to provide this information to the purchaser. When we received the rebuilt rally dash back we installed all new LED dash lights and light bar LED lights, the new wiring harness, a new speedometer cable to fix the old damaged one, a new fog lamp relay, a new key-in buzzer, and a new parking brake switch to replace the old broken one. We had PCG rebuild the headlight switch, wiper switch and dash dimmer, rebuild all gauges and speedometer, and replace the clock with a quartz clock and new adjusting knobs. The car still has a light bar for a non-rally dash (3 bulbs) while we are trying to obtain a light bar for a rally dash (4 bulbs) but they are a 1 year only product and difficult to find.

When we installed the new dash and switches we found that the rally dash wiring harness did not plug in correctly to the wiper switch. At this point we determined that rally dash cars had a variable speed wiper motor and 3 speed switch, but that non-rally dashes had a 2 speed motor and switch and a manual foot-pump headlight washer. Because this Cuda was originally a standard dash, 2-speed wiper system the rally dash 3-speed harness, switch and motor would not work. Since we were going with the rally dash and new wiring we decided not to splice the new harness, so we ordered a new OEM 3 speed switch and a new NOS variable speed motor, arm and attachment as well as an electric washer pump, bottle, hoses and nozzle sprayers. We have retained all old parts. Thus what was originally a non-rally dash with AM radio and 2 speed wiper with manual foot pump has been converted with correct wiring and gauges & switches to a rally dash, AM/FM radio and variable speed wiper system with an electric washer. We do not have a non-rally dash cluster as it did not come with the car when we bought it. The buyer will receive the original 2 speed motor and foot-feet washer system that was removed, as well as an extra NOM 3 speed wiper motor in perfect condition.

The horn had been non-functional since purchase. Replacing the interior wiring harness at least got power to the firewall and proved the relay worked. We then went to the engine side-no broken wires, but 1 of 2 horns were inoperative, and the 45 year old wire would not carry a load and was frayed from heat on the inside of the wiring we presume. Using the old connector ends we replaced about 8’ of wire, re-wrapped the wiring harness and attached 2 nos matching horns to solve the horn issue. We did not retain old wiring! The horns now both correctly function.

Kick Panels and interior

When we purchased the car the kick panels, console wood plate, steering wheel and dome lights were badly worn. We ordered a rebuilt steering wheel, a repro console wood plate and replaced the dome light. We retained all old parts. The interior has no tears, rips or wear issues and all gauges, switches and accessories work correctly now, and the interior shows well.

Power Steering

When we purchased the car the power steering pump and steering gear leaked badly. We rebuilt the pump and have addressed the gearbox leak.

Engine & Carbs

When we purchased the car it had an incorrect oil bath (!) air filter element and ancient, fuel and oil-soaked spark plugs. We found an aftermarket 6 pack paper element online and replaced it. We have also run a bottle of carb cleaner through the fuel system, but have performed no other procedures. We changed the oil and replaced the incorrect filter with an OEM Mopar filter at 65,000 miles on the odometer. We replaced the spark plugs 5/23/15 at 65072 miles, it runs fine, with no knocks or misses, and burns no oil. We also replaced the ancient Mopar belts with new belts, retaining the old Mopar belts.

Transmission

When we purchased the car it leaked transmission fluid and shifted poorly. We tightened the transmission pan bolts, replaced the leaking and incorrect neutral start switch and added 1 and ½ quarts of transmission fluid. This stopped the leaks and it now shifts correctly. We have not serviced the transmission or changed the fluid.

Battery and parts

When we purchased the car it had an incorrect battery and battery mount system. We purchased an OEM style battery and the correct tie down system. We also purchased a new non-OEM battery to use when not at shows, keeping the OEM on a battery maintenance device.

Brakes

Power brakes work correctly without issues or pulling.

Fuel

The fuel system had an incorrect aftermarket fuel filter which we replaced with an OEM filter and hoses.

Heater

When we purchased the car the heater was always on and the fan would not work. We replaced the fan switch and switch housing, thus fixing the fan but found that the heater temperature control arm in the interior heater box was missing. Upon removing the heater box to repair the control arm we found that there was no control arm inside the box but it didn’t matter because there was also no plenum plate to turn off the heater, the heater core was not correctly attached to the box and several holes had been drilled in the box. We purchased a refurbished oem heater box complete with a new heater core and replaced the entire heater box. All heater/defroster/fan and fresh air vent issues are now fixed.

Vinyl Top

When we purchased the car it had an incorrect non-Gator grain vinyl top, but the seller included the correct replacement top, which we have not yet installed. Only a MOPAR expert would know this!

Body and paint

The suspension and paint restoration job performed was excellent and the car is detailed underneath as well as on the exterior. There are no dings or nicks, only 1 or 2 very, very minor flaws in the paint (that I would have to point out to a buyer), the chrome is generally excellent and the suspension, drivetrain and underside looks brand new. There is no evidence of rust or damage anywhere on the car-it is show quality paint, drivetrain and undercarriage.

Interior

The interior is excellent with no noticeable issues.

Engine, transmission, rear end

The rear end functions fine with no whine or leaks or noise.

The transmission functions fine with no slipping and proper shifts. As with many old 727’s it drips about a few drops of fluid every couple of days.

The engine starts easily, runs fine and has no unusual noises. It is cold natured like all 340-6 packs but idles smoothly and runs well without misses. There are no noticeable oil leaks and it does not use oil.

Summary

This car is an excellent example of an incredibly beautiful, properly restored, fully functional and well running AAR. We can provide shipping in our own enclosed trailer within 500 miles of Louisville for an additional charge. We can also provide a live audio/video feed if desired including starting and putting on a lift for underside inspection. The Indiana title is clear, no liens, and in my name. We have 4 old Mopars and are selling this one and one other to keep only A&B Bodies.