Car Spot: 1969 Plymouth GTX

Plymouth’s “Gentleman” muscle car

With Plymouth’s Road Runner commanding the largest market share of the lower-priced muscle cars, Plymouth’s management decided that it was time to offer a “Gentleman” muscle car, that would provide an “exceptional blend of style and performance”. Intr in 1967, the Plymouth GTX fulfilled that requirement. Although it shared its basic Belvedere body style with the Road Runner, it was more refined like this week’s spot, a 69 GTX I spotted at The Automobile Gallery of Green Bay run by my buddy Darrel Burnett.

The Plymouth Belvedere GTX was introduced in 1967 as Plymouth’s first unified performance model. Sharing its basic body with the Road Runner, the Belvedere GTX received a special grille and tail panel, simulated hood scoops, and “pit stop” chrome gas cap. Twin racing stripes were optional. The GTX boasted superb handling, thanks to standard six-leaf rear springs, heavy-duty shocks, torsion bars, ball joints, and power steering, though many believed that the power steering was over-assisted. Disc brakes were optional, though didn’t seem to provide much advantage over the standard drum brakes.

The interior was pure luxury, with bucket seats, embossed vinyl, and lots of bright work.
While even a loaded Road Runner looked pretty plain on the outside, the GTX dressed its part with standard chrome wheel-lip moldings, tail-panel bright work, and double side stripes. And where the Road Runner started with a fleet-grade interior the GTX came with the well-appointed Sport Satellite cabin featuring shiny details and fake wood grain. The differences showed in base prices: $3,355 for the GTX hardtop, while the Ro Runner list was $3,034.

To make sure the GTX had the necessary firepower to back up its performance image Plymouth made the mighty 440 cid V8 (which Plymouth called the “Super Commando 440”) rated at 375 bhp the standard engine. This engine, which was usually used for Chrysler’s big cars, was tuned for more high rpm performance with a revised camshaft and valve train, free flowing intake and exhaust systems. Optional for the GTX was MOPAR’S mighty 426 Hemi rated at 435 bhp. Only 720 buyers forked over the extras for the Hemi Although the 440 could keep up with the Hemi up to 70 mph, the Hemi was truly domiant in a drag.

RELATED Spot: Last in the line of fun cars for Plymouth.

What are the worth now? This one as it sites now and is in Concours condition according to Hagerty is worth $86 grand. One with the 426cid/425hp 2x4bbl Hemi in the same condition jumps up to $136 grand. This one here if it were as convertible jumps up to $96K while one with the big engine is $217K and even in Fair condition is $109K.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out this spot I found. Come back next Friday for another one along with some of its history. Be sure to check out my others and have a great weekend.