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 Post subject: Steve Tate's 1970 AAR Cuda, Goals Met, Promises Kept
PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:17 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:26 am
Posts: 7469
Location: Bristol CT
Many of you know Steve Tate, What you may not know is how Steve was introduced to SuperCars and Steve’s history with the Cuda and Racing.

Steve lived only minutes from E-Town NJ and in August of 2012 Steve decided it was time to part with his 1970 Cuda 340 4Spd that he has owned since 1970. The Cuda was only months old when he purchased it from a local add he saw in the paper.

For a short period of time the Cuda was Steve’s transportation to and from work. Shortly after Steve decided it was time to go racing. Steve took the Cuda off the road and to the track. The Cuda went from his everyday cruiser to a full pledged class racer. Steve ran the Cuda in the Stock class and won many rounds even competing in and winning The NHRA Summer Nationals events held at E-Town and won at many other tracks on the east coast.

Later in life Steve parked the Cuda and went on with life’s chores of family, work etc. That brings us to August of 2012 Steve decided it was time to part with his old friend. So he made his way to Mopars @ E-Town to check out the market and talk to people about finding a new home for his beloved Cuda.

The plan of selling the Cuda didn’t go as he thought. While taking a break in the Grandstands watching some of the Mopars run. The announcer introduced the next class SuperCar Races and talk about how this class of Musclecar run on the factory original tires and look 100% stock in and out. After a couple of cars went down the track and the E/T’s appeared on the score boards Steve was intrigued by how stock these cars looked but ran so well. Then a certain 1973 Duster 340 4Spd made its way down the track clicking off a low 12 second pass at this point Steve decided to track this Duster down and find out more. Steve introduced himself to Tom Tarzwell and they struck up a conversation around the class and at that point Steve was hooked he went from visiting E-town to Sell his Cuda to Visiting E-Town to find a new Class that he would be able to race his old friend in. Tom introduced Steve to me, we exchanged numbers and on Monday morning Steve called and we got the ball rolling.

We talk for hours about the Cuda and the build. Steve true to his small block heritage wanted to keep the Cuda’s mill a 340 and wanted to continue to shift gears. A package was decided on and that is when the Cuda added three more letters to it’s name AAR.
Soon After we collected many of the parts needed, I contacted my friends at New England Dry Strip and the process started. After the Body was stripped, the AAR made it's way to Gene and Mark Massiro at Connecticut Collision Centers for a full body restoration in a record 6 months. Once Gene and Mark finished the Body, I took the rains and brought the car to my place to assemble the Cuda and get it ready for Auto Services to install the drive train. Steve had three goals when he decided to restore and race his AAR, Goal one was to win a Major National Show. Goal two was to run a sub 11.60 E/T with the AAR and Goal three was to be featured in a National Magazine.

Last night I contacted Steve to let him know I've accomplished all the goals he set when we started this build. Steve won the Adirondack Nat's, Chryslers @ Placed 2nd @ Carlisle AAR Reunion. Ran an 11.58 ET @ 121MPH and the final accomplishment has been checked of the list. The April 2021 Hot Rod Magazine has a full 6 page feature on Steve's AAR and his story. Help me congratulate Steve on his accomplishments since owning the great Cuda for 50 Years.

Ralphs Rapid Transit is the Care Taker of Steve's AAR Cuda. Look for the AAR this coming season at a SuperCar Race. We have a new goal to be the quickest small block in the series.

Thank you for letting me share this with the group.


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_________________
SUPERCAR LEGAL

66 Belvedere I HP2 Hemi Auto 11.13 @ 124MPH 1.68 60' S/A

70 RoadRunner 440+6 Auto 11.05 @ 125MPH 1.67 60' S/A

70 AAR Cuda 340+6BBL 4 Spd. 11.58 @ 121MPH 1.76 60' S/A

72 Demon GSS 340 S/A 11.76 @ 118MPH 1.89 60' S/A
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 Post subject: Re: Steve Tate's 1970 AAR Cuda, Goals Met, Promises Kept
PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:18 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:26 am
Posts: 7469
Location: Bristol CT
.


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_________________
SUPERCAR LEGAL

66 Belvedere I HP2 Hemi Auto 11.13 @ 124MPH 1.68 60' S/A

70 RoadRunner 440+6 Auto 11.05 @ 125MPH 1.67 60' S/A

70 AAR Cuda 340+6BBL 4 Spd. 11.58 @ 121MPH 1.76 60' S/A

72 Demon GSS 340 S/A 11.76 @ 118MPH 1.89 60' S/A
Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Re: Steve Tate's 1970 AAR Cuda, Goals Met, Promises Kept
PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:21 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:26 am
Posts: 7469
Location: Bristol CT
..


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_________________
SUPERCAR LEGAL

66 Belvedere I HP2 Hemi Auto 11.13 @ 124MPH 1.68 60' S/A

70 RoadRunner 440+6 Auto 11.05 @ 125MPH 1.67 60' S/A

70 AAR Cuda 340+6BBL 4 Spd. 11.58 @ 121MPH 1.76 60' S/A

72 Demon GSS 340 S/A 11.76 @ 118MPH 1.89 60' S/A
Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
 Post subject: Re: Steve Tate's 1970 AAR Cuda, Goals Met, Promises Kept
PostPosted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 1:26 pm 
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Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:26 am
Posts: 7469
Location: Bristol CT
April 2021 Hot Rod Magazine.


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_________________
SUPERCAR LEGAL

66 Belvedere I HP2 Hemi Auto 11.13 @ 124MPH 1.68 60' S/A

70 RoadRunner 440+6 Auto 11.05 @ 125MPH 1.67 60' S/A

70 AAR Cuda 340+6BBL 4 Spd. 11.58 @ 121MPH 1.76 60' S/A

72 Demon GSS 340 S/A 11.76 @ 118MPH 1.89 60' S/A
Top
 Profile Send private message  
 
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