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Joe Dirt Style? 1968 Plymouth GTX 440

The GTX was Plymouth’s upscale mid-size performance car from 1967-71. It arrived a year earlier than the budget-minded Road Runner, which would eventually outsell the GTX by several multiples. A 440 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission were standard equipment in 1968, but both have parted company with the seller’s car. It’s a rolling project with some rust to be attended to and can be found in Millsap, Texas. The bidding here on eBay currently stands at $11,800 with no reserve. Thanks for another great Mopar tip, Larry D!

With a redesign in 1968, Plymouth sold 44,303 of its new Road Runners compared to 17,914 GTX hardtops. The margin would continue to grow year by year until Plymouth decided to retire the GTX as a marque and make it an option on the “Bird.” The GTX was positioned more like a Sport Satellite with a big engine and it somehow got lost in all the marketing hype. With the 440 as standard in ’68, the only way to get more power was to go for the 426 Street Hemi, but only 410 buyers of GTX hardtops went that route (plus a few convertibles). The Road Runner wasn’t offered as a drop-top that year.

The seller bought this Plymouth a few years ago and was planning to rebuild it as a “Joe Dirt” car with patina. However, other projects already in progress have taken priority, so this GTX is no longer a candidate. It was painted black over green when new, but a later repaint included adding a vinyl covering to the roof where rust eventually crept in underneath, so there are some holes there now. And in the trunk lid and quarter panels. While the seller says it has an “awesome patina,” the car deserves having the corrosion fixed and a new coat of paint applied.

One of the things the seller did was to work on the interior. He found the floors to be solid, so he applied POR15, added some sound-deadening, and dropped in a new carpeting set. The seats, though a bit faded but not brittle, are sitting inside waiting to be reinstalled. The headliner is said to be good, and the door panels and console will come with the car. So, the only thing missing may be the drivetrain and perhaps a period-correct 440 and TorqueFlite can be found to help get the car on the road again.

Comments

  1. Avatar Gary

    I always like the 69 GTX better, I thought the grille, taillights and side marker lights looked better than the 68. I thought the round side markers were perfect on the 68 Charger, but not the rest of the lineup

    Like 4
    • Avatar Don Page Jr.

      It is a 68 but the grille is a 69.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Don Page Jr.

      It is a 68, but it has a 69 grille.

      Like 1
  2. Avatar 433jeff

    I love the paint!

    Like 1
  3. Avatar James Martin

    I believe Joe dirt was a 67. What is up with rusted buckets no motor and trans and still pulling over 10 grand? The world will never be the same after covid.

    Like 6
    • Avatar moosie

      This is the new normal,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and it sucks !

      Like 3
  4. Avatar George Mattar

    New carpet in this rotted heap. Why? Looks to me there is more than few pinholes in that roof. Gonna be expensive bill with AMD and the panels still won’t fit. At least the frame rails aren’t Swiss cheese, yet.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Joe Bartolotta

    Any old GTX is awesome, a fast and loose car with power.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar PRA4SNW

    SOLD for $11,800.

    Glad to see that there are still some people who see value in these old Mopar muscle cars and will put in the effort to bring one back. Nice relief from the usual dissing that accompanies most rusty posts here at BF. It’s getting tired, if it ain’t for you, no use in telling us every SINGLE time.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Stevieg

    Won’t be an inexpensive restoration, but will be a really cool car when done. Probably a labor of love!

    Like 0

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