Manufacturers during the muscle car era walked a fine line. Each sought to offer potential buyers the most power and best performance while ensuring those numbers didn’t cause insurance companies to hyperventilate. The result was cars like this 1970 Plymouth GTX, which offered impressive performance in even its most conservative guise. It is an incomplete restoration, but most pieces are present to return it to its stunning best. The GTX is listed here on eBay in North Fort Myers, Florida. Bidding sits below the reserve at $20,500, but there is a BIN option of $37,500 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.

Some enthusiasts hesitate when considering purchasing an unfinished project. This is understandable because it can sometimes be hard to gauge what work has been completed and to what standard. However, this GTX shows promise, with its owner remaining candid about its condition and shortcomings. The car rolled off the line in stunning Jamaica Blue with a Black vinyl top. The vinyl appears relatively new, but the exterior sports a coat of primer. The seller admits there are holes in the center of the trunk pan, and the driver’s side rocker shows evidence of prior repairs. Otherwise, it seems to be rock-solid. The floors are in good order, and there are no issues with the rails. The glass is crystal clear, and the Plymouth rolls on a set of Rallye wheels. The trunk contains some trim pieces, but whether larger parts like the bumpers are present is unclear.

The seller supplies no information on this Plymouth’s interior, but the appearance suggests it recently received a retrim. It is missing its armrests, but everything else is spotless. There is no wear on the carpet or seats, with the back seat looking like it has never been used. The dash and pad are immaculate, and there are no aftermarket additions. The new owner will appreciate the factory air conditioning, Rallye gauge cluster, and original AM radio/8-track player.

Plymouth didn’t produce a slow version of the GTX, with this car retaining its numbers-matching 440ci V8. It sends 375hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission. The original owner selected power assistance for the steering and brakes, meaning the winning bidder won’t need to “muscle” this muscle car. Straightline performance is all you might expect, with this GTX storming the ¼-mile in 14.2 seconds on its way to 132mph. There is plenty of good news for potential buyers, with the seller splashing the cash on its mechanical components. They replaced or rebuilt every item in the front end before installing a new brake system from end to end. It is unclear whether it is roadworthy, but the list of new parts suggests that getting it to that point should not be difficult if it isn’t.

With its original Blue paint reinstated and its chrome sparkling, this 1970 Plymouth GTX would perfectly combine stunning looks and performance. It comes from an era where muscle car sales were waning, and legislative changes were set to strangle those that remained. Today, classics of this caliber are highly sought after, although the bidding on this one has been relatively restrained. Whether the situation changes as the end draws near is unclear, but watching this auction could be worthwhile…unless you’d prefer to bid.