It seems as though my interest level in certain makes and models of cars has varied throughout the years, but some I’ve always been a fan of since childhood are the late-sixties B-Body offerings, and I can’t fathom that changing anytime soon. So the idea of saving each and every one possible makes my day, but this particular 1968 Plymouth GTX here on eBay is gonna take a level of skills so high it’s kind of hard for me to even comprehend this one ever seeing the road again. But optimists seem to perform amazing resurrections all the time, so if you’ve got the know-how, patience, time, and dough to sink into this Mopar maybe you or someone you know can transform the car back to its former glory days. This one’s sitting in Calera, Alabama, with eleven bids taking the price up to $1.025 so far, enough to trailer it home as there’s no reserve.
The GTX got a one-year head-start over the Road Runner when it was introduced as a 1967 model and was placed in the line-up as sort of a gentleman’s muscle car, with some extra trim and a 440 coming standard for ’68, the latter being an extra cost option on the Road Runner as that car got the 383 unless the buyer ticked a box otherwise. This one’s still got a motor of the 440 variety in the bay and a 727 Torqueflite, but neither are the born-with components, and the car isn’t running or driving.
I had to stare at the trajectory of the trunk lid for a second to realize what was causing it to be at such an odd angle, then figured out it was because the panel under the rear window has actually collapsed from the rust, with that 5-gallon bucket holding the weight of the trunk lid on its shoulders. And judging from the trunk floor, the pail itself might be seeing the ground any day now as the metal it’s sitting on seems to be holding on by a thread.
The quarters haven’t fared much better, and the roof-line where the vinyl top once met the side body is corroded on the passenger side but doesn’t look too bad on the other. The seller also mentions rust in small spots on the frame rails but says they’re not completely rotted out. Two positives here are the car comes with a clean title plus it’s got a fender tag, though we don’t get a close-up, but the paint code is stated as JJ1 indicating an original color of Medium Gold Metallic, of which we do get to see some remnants under the hood, trunk lid, and inside the door jambs.
Maybe the speedometer can be salvaged, but other than perhaps a few more dash items there’s little else I’m spotting inside that’s going to be of much use in its current state, unless of course that aftermarket Stereo still plays cassettes. The lack of carpeting reveals a floor that’s in need of totally new steel too. The 1968-70 GTX is one of my favorite muscle cars, and I’d love to see this one end up in the hands of somebody that make lemonade out of lemons, but that person’s not going to be me. Is this a project you could see taking on?
Gawd.
Is it possible to restore this one? Yes, is it probable that it’ll be restored? (IMO) NO. Even as a labor of love, you’d spend so much time and money, that you’d probably burn out before completion. As a die hard Mopar guy, I’d say find yourself a better base from which to start. Rust is like an iceberg…what you see is way less than what you get!
Agree….looks like another one that’s been striped of some good stuff….consol is an E-body as well as the seats I’m sure….and maybe the 1968 was pulled as well for a date code project….anyway….start with something better !
I’d hate to see what this one looks like after the dipper…
Probably would be a picture of a cradle and nothing else!
It’s very complete, so maybe there’s hope. Plus, extensive rust is pretty much the norm in any neglected old Mopar that’s not from the southwest. The engine has an AC compressor, but it doesn’t look like an AC dash; or am I mistaken?
I agree. That was one of the first things I noticed. Factory compressor in the correct location on the engine but no vents on the dash where they should be. Hmmm…
Replacement motor came with the compressor……
for fee!
It will buff out.
Drive it home today.
Mopars R Us at BR5 49 and ask for special financing.
My team is ready to build this for if needed. Just bring your titanium credit card. Plus ask about out our discounted divorces as package deals.
Even the hood latch is hanging on for dear life
This Mopar is in very very sad shape!! What a shame it would of been a great GTX to fix up. The problem I see is… Whoever gets this bring a flatbed and try to hook it up . I can see it fall apart in front of them. I don’t think any sheet metal can be saved. Don’t walk away run! 🐻🇺🇸
its a parts donor for the one you already have and are working on. and if the bidding doesn’t get stupid , then it will be cheaper than sourcing the parts used individually. as moparman said “can it be saved?” but imo… no. use what it has to do the one you’ve already got
Too far gone to be saved. And is that a Challenger console between the seats?
Challenger or Cuda
Good catch.. Challenger console.. 😊
yes…….
Even Mark Worman would not see this as financially viable unless it had sentimental value. If it were numbers matching, perhaps, but as it is, it is a donor parts car.
He would if his owners told him to. LOL The cable network owns his shop and show. They just let him be called President. IMO No way he had all that cash himself to set up that facility. JMO
Agreed but the owner would only ask him to do it IF it had some sentimental value. No owner with a brain would spend the big money on a non matching numbers car even a GTX. Mark Worman is cringeworthy and “unwatchable” to be sure but his knowledge and passion for MOPAR is genuine. I watch it for all the others who do great work like Dougie and Royal and that new young fella. Sooo sad to see that Alyssa has let herself go weightwise. She used to be sooooooo HOT !
Graveyard Carz was created and is owned by Mark Worman. It is
produced independently by The Division, a film and television
production company in which Worman is also the CEO. The
show’s relationship with Velocity is called “a pre-sale acquisition.”
The Division retains all creative control but frequently takes notes
and suggestions from the Velocity team.
I don’t think you could use a flatbed or dolly – these cremains would have to be picked up by a magnet.
I had no idea that rust was magnetic. ;-)
Alabama car? Not for it’s whole life I assure you. Even sea salt doesn’t do that kind of rust damage over time. Good grief, what a mess.
Going, going….
Field Car got it right. GTX is golden! Rust is normal in Mopars of this vintage. If you can’t see yer boots when you open the deck lid its a clean starter. Floors and rails are available.
$120Knor so should get it down the road, maybe more depending on how much fun the owner can afford!
Nothing like spending 120k on a car that will be worth 60k when finished. ;-)
Thsts what the fun to money ratio is all about my friend!
If it was doused with rust remover, all that would be left: Paint chips, headlamps, the tires and plastic parts. It’s gone.
I bet if the remains were ground up, they would fit into that bucket in the trunk, then this bucket of rust could officially be considered a “bucket of rust”, literally. Of course, ya might need another bucket or two for the motor, you can be sure that’s a froze up corrosion cake.
Toast
It’s sad to think that they just couldn’t let this car rust in peace in the field in which it was found,
Most of these cars looked this bad 20 years ago. This guy just waited to cash in. As the one comment mentioned, you will spend $120,000 and end up with a $60,000 car maybe. In 1979, I went to look at a Vitamin C 1969 Road Runner convertible near Pittsburgh, PA, land of salt. I drove 3 hours. There it was sitting next to a barn on wet grass. It looked almost this bad, but the price was $900. Well, in 1979, there wasn’t the aftermarket there is today. I passed. No sheet metal, not much else. One guy in Hemmings had an NOS four door quarter panel for a 69 Satellite. He wanted $900 for it. i walked away.
Another rusted out Mopar!
I see units like this and think back ions ago when these rolled into the wrecking yard I worked in. I recall many but one a 68 440 auto version in silver over red with a vinyl top. I remember pulling the engine for a Cuda guy. I also remember how the car had little to no rust. It sat in a row of Chrysler cars for a time. When crush time arrived I recall forking the trunk open to see a mint trunk area with the red line spare still in its factory place. I watched as the car went through the press and the lid closed down over the spare and the pop sound. Disgusting I know when you see folks clambering to restore garbage. What 40+ years does.