The GTX was Plymouth’s upscale-trimmed muscle car between 1967-71 (compared to the Road Runner which was for the more budget-conscious). On the other hand, the Sport Satellite was the upscale family version of the Plymouth B-bodies that was targeted at a less speed-oriented group of buyers. For whatever reason, it looks as though someone took this ’68 Sport Satellite and made a GTX clone out of it – and not recently. This non-running car is going to need a ton of work and can be found in Orange Park, Florida and here on eBay where the bidding has reached $5,100 (no reserve).
Even if the seller didn’t mention this car was a Sport Satellite, the cowl tag would give it away. While the GTX 2-door hardtop had the code RS23, the seller’s car has the RP23 badge, identifying it as a Sport Satellite. Not that there was much difference in the cars to begin with. The Sport Satellite topped out at having a 383 cubic inch V8 under the hood, while the GTX came with the 440 as standard in 1968.
Chrysler’s mid-size cars were totally redesigned for 1968 and would operate with that styling through 1970 as an hourglass body replaced the previous rectilinear design. The GTX would use the Sport Satellite trim with dual horizontal “racing stripes” on the lower sides ending with a GTX emblem ahead of the rear wheel openings. These traits seem to have followed over to the seller’s car.
This GTX wannabe is going to need a lot of body work. Besides needing interior and trunk floorboards, we see a nice dent in the right front corner that may delegate the fender to the scrap pile. The front bumper may be okay, but the grille is toast. On the other hand, the seller tells us that the inner and outer rocker panels are solid, usually a target for rust on these B-bodied Mopars. The windows and glass seem to be good, but the interior is going to need restoring, with the possible exception being the console for the TorqueFlite automatic.
An incomplete 440 V8 sits under the hood now instead of what was likely a 383. The engine is said to have been rebuilt, but there are a bunch of parts that will still be needed to get it to run again. We’re told that the car rolls and steers fine, so loading it back onto another trailer shouldn’t be hard. According to Hagerty, top dollar on a 1968 Satellite is in the mid-twenties while the GTX is easily twice that number. But what’s a GTX clone of a Sport Satellite likely to be worth when the restoration is completed?
I didn’t know these came with Detroit Diesel’s in them, lol
Too funny. I am a retired diesel mechanic.
Yep, they were too lazy to find a parts store that could get them Chrysler Turquoise (not available everywhere, but it’s out there) and went instead with a can of Detroit Diesel Alpine Green off of the shelf.
Good point on the engine paint Bluetec! 😄 As most others I find the ’68-’69 Mopar B-bodies to be very nice vehicles – however while I have nothing against clones I dislike that every lower-spec B-body has to be turned into top-dogs. A ’68 Sport Satellite is IMHO a very lovely car on its own
I agree local sheriff. Cruised in a lot of these back in high school. Very nice rides and you did not have to wave off challengers at every stop light. But there were many times we made the other so called muscle cars eat dust. The 383 and the gearing in the auto trans was superb for street racing.
I think one of these (in better shape), is something I’d prefer to own nowadays over a Road Runner or another Super Bee.
Dang it, now I want another one.
The grill is a Road Runner/Satellite grill, so even if it wasn’t trashed, it would need changed for a Sport Satellite/GTX grill.
That one in Dark Argent is actually Road Runner-specific, but yes, it was the wrong grille anyway. Ironically, the ’68 Sport Satellite grille (assuming that it was present when they started) would have been correct for a ’68 GTX, only the red/white/blue emblem in the center would have needed to be replaced with one that said GTX.
No shame in a Sport Satellite with a 383. Just restore this one back to it’s original configuration.
I bought a 68 Sport Satellite convertible in May of 1970, the year I graduated from High School. It had a 318, automatic, bucket seats and console. Had a lot of fun with that car. Took it to the drag strip once and my best time was low 6 teens. Of the big three, the Chrysler products quality was on the bottom rung, although the engine and drivetrain was indestructible, except for the starter. One a year for the three years I owned it.
This one was born with a 318, a respectable engine for the day. With 230 HP on tap, it wasn’t a pavement shredder, but it could get out of its own way and would give decent MPG if driven properly. My biggest concern for this one would be what you can’t see. Might be worth it for a parts car.
That oddball green was on all my 383 cars. Sport Satellites are a nice looking car, I dislike the 68 RoadRunner/Satellites but love the 69 versions, grille, taillights and side markers make a world of difference to me
No clone. Just return it to its simple former self.