While numerous buyers flocked to their Plymouth dealer set on purchasing a Road Runner in the late sixties and early seventies, those with a little extra cash on hand could drive away in a GTX instead, and get a few more bells and whistles along with a 440 as standard equipment. The seller states that this one was part of a Mopar package deal, where he had to buy an entire lot to get the car he wanted, and I’m guessing the next photo will give us a clue as to which vehicle that probably was. He’s selling the rest, so if you’ve been after a B-Body project, this 1970 Plymouth GTX here on eBay might be worth considering. It’s located in Santa Ana, California, with the current bid of $4,550 still not enough to lift the reserve.
We only get this one peek at the Limelight Superbird, but I’d bet that’s the one he had to have to justify buying the collection of cars. The story goes that this GTX has been in California its entire life and was purchased by a collector around 1990, who bought several Mopars around that time. For a while, the GTX was driven occasionally, but later sat after a carburetor issue developed. Unfortunately, that owner passed away about three years ago.
Neither the 440 nor the automatic transmission is numbers-matching, but a few of the engine parts are mentioned as original, including the distributor and intake manifold. While the big block will still turn, it’s believed not to have any compression. Although the carburetor is missing, it’s nice to know that the original air cleaner will be included in the sale.
The seller provides us with a valuable lesson on how autos rust in California, and that’s from the top down, with standing water in the doors and quarters believed to be the cause of much of the rust present on the body. Ironically, this one was also originally painted Limelight, but it was resprayed at least twice, once in red, followed by black. The next owner will be tasked with some outside sheet metal repairs before this one’s ready to head into the paint booth again, but some very positive news is that the floors and frame are stated to be in perfect shape.
It appears that the interior is mostly complete, but many of the inside components will require some work as well. The gauge covers have faded, so it’s difficult to determine the actual condition of the instruments, but the driver’s door panel will definitely need to be replaced. Hopefully, the buckets will be structurally sound enough to just recover. I’m envisioning a beautiful Limelight exterior again in the future, but it’ll be entirely up to the future owner to decide which direction to go in here. How would you move forward with this 1970 Plymouth GTX?
about $2.5k more than this car is worth in its condition
Your opinion, but the market speaks for everyone!
Get the motor running, clean it up maybe do the interior and run it! Looks to be pretty solid. The market does drive these Mopar prices unfortunately it’s getting ridiculous. Odd being a gtx and no air grabber? Could make it a 4 spd unless original is your call. Non matching motor so why not? Peace!
No ‘grabber’ on my ’70 6bbl. 4spd. It was ordered to go fast without any additional weight. Best option other than mandatory Trac-Pac items: manual disc brakes. And manual steering was just fine for a (then) 19 year old.
The eBay ad featured similar cars, restored or at least refurbished and wow the prices made my eyes water, but would you even pay in the twenties for this with the work it needs? I’d rather pay my money for the Ford Fairlane featured elsewhere on this site.
Why don’t the owner start the bidding at 5,000 and let the Mopar market decide what its worth ? Or is he hoping someone will pay for his super bird , with an absurd reserve price on this ?
If did an auction I’d start it at the minimum amount I’d take, but with no reserve, you’ve got to protect your interests and winter is not a good time to test the market without that safeguard. I’d rather just pick a price I was comfortable with and put it up at a set price (BIN) so those interested at that price would be inclined to contact you.
Steve R
Yep….the pictures are not that good…..floor does look good but the rest…..come on – show that trunk as he said he was nice….hard to beleive this is a L.A Cali car….
The description of how it was stored, in a lot, for decades, matches the rust you’d expect.
I live in the Bay Area and GM cars from this era, if parked outside, are notorious for the front fenders rusting behind the wheels from leaves collecting in the cowl area then plugging the drain holes on the bottom, same with the area behind the rear wheels and at the base of the rear windows. But the floors are generally perfect unless a window leaked into the interior.
Steve R