Semi-Survivor. Those aren’t my words, but the ones used by the seller to describe this 1970 Plymouth GTX. It seems that apart from the paint, it is as original as the day it left the factory. The Plymouth has a few shortcomings that the new owner will likely fix before minor problems become major ones. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the GTX listed here on eBay in Maiden, North Carolina. The seller set their price at $64,500 with the option to make an offer.
The 1970 model year was the end of the road for this generation of Chrysler’s B-Body range. Major updates in 1971 introduced what was known as “fuselage” styling, giving cars like the GTX a more pronounced sense of presence. I have never been a fan of that approach, which is one reason why I find this 1970 Plymouth GTX extremely attractive. The fact that the first owner ordered it in Deep Burnt Orange with a Black vinyl top helps its cause enormously. The seller uses the term “Semi-Survivor” to describe this classic, confirming that a previous owner repainted the car in its correct shade. It shows deterioration, with the newer paint pulling away in several areas, exposing the factory finish beneath. Of greater concern to me is the vinyl top, which is lifting in various locations. It could easily become a moisture trap, and we’ve seen plenty of classics at Barn Finds developing major rust issues due to this problem. Therefore, addressing it ASAP would be wise to prevent future heartache. Otherwise, rust appears to be limited to a spot in the trunk pan. The trim and glass are in good order, and the Magnum 500 wheels perfectly suit this classic’s character.
It is disappointing that the seller doesn’t supply any engine shots because, even though this GTX features the entry-level 440ci “Super Commando” V8, the fact that it delivers a factory-quoted 375hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque confirms that this Plymouth is a genuine muscle car. The ponies feed to an 8¾” rear end with 3.23 gears via a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission, making this one of the most bulletproof mechanical combinations available during this period. The first thing to note is that this GTX is a numbers-matching classic. If paperwork is your thing, you will welcome the news that this deal includes the original sales documents, the Build Sheet, and a sixty-five-page Dave Wise report. The Plymouth runs and drives perfectly, with no issues or shortcomings identified.
This Plymouth’s interior could be the car’s highlight, presenting impressively in Burnt Orange that complements the exterior. It features bucket seats, a console, and a floor shifter for the automatic transmission. The first owner didn’t specify air conditioning, but the GTX scores a factory radio. I can’t spot any evidence of wear or other shortcomings. If this Plymouth is as original as the listing suggests, the interior indicates it has been treated respectfully throughout its life.
I always advocate an in-person inspection before spending hard-earned cash on a classic purchase. Nothing sours the ownership experience more quickly than discovering that a vehicle bought sight unseen has significant problems that will cost a fortune to fix. I’m not specifically saying this would be the case with this 1970 Plymouth GTX, because the photos support the seller’s claims about the identified rust. However, the lifting vinyl top concerns me because it is a recipe for potential problems if the issue has been long-term. Do you agree?
Featured on this site in August when the winning bid was $70,000, but the sale was not completed. The seller listed it last month with the same set price of $64,500.
The price seems aggressive, but the right buyer at this price may be out there. That’s the problem, if your asking price it at the top of the market there are few potential buyers. It’s fine to try , for a while, but over time markets change and cars get stale and build a reputation as being perennially for sale.
Steve R
I thought it looked familiar. But, dang, you have a good memory for when cars were featured, previously advertised and what they were bid or “sold” for. Valid point about pricing too. If you peruse all of the regular listing sites, after a while you start to notice some cars that languish. I always wonder if the seller is just trying to find that one person that falls in love, or whether they’re just not in touch with the market. If the vehicle you are attempting to sell has been for sale for months, you’d think that is a pretty good indicator that you have overpriced it.
Thanks, but my memory isn’t that good. It looked familiar so I used the search function on this site and found the high bid in the comments. I remembered seeing that at the time and didn’t think the sale would be completed.
Steve R
Steve R–Same things apply if you put a house up for sale.
I agree. The seller will never get this price, because at that ask, buyers are going to be very picky, and as pointed out here, even a slightly closer look reveals way too many weaknesses.
Maybe they are hoping to get an offer before it has to go into storage.
Agree….it’s basically a base GTX without A/C and that kills it for some folks. Seeing the blem’s in the paint is another that most will shy away from – it is a rare color but in addition – to have that trunk rust – you could say it wasn’t taken care off as a survivor.
For the asking price, whether it be 65 or 70k? The car should not have e issues, I’m talking about the vinyl top and rust in the trunk. There’s plenty of resources out there for these cars. The chrome trim having a screws in it, the gobs of sealer on the rear window to seal it.
20K to high with it needing paint and bodywork, and it will need bodywork
Seems like an ok ask. Then the ugly comes out. The paint is peeling, the rust is surfacing, the top is bubbling.
Im not sure that you can get that price without doing all the repairs, and that could take time and 20K.
I’m guessing it would find a buyer at 45K, beyond that good luck..
Unfortunately, you’re not going to get this car completely refinished by a reputable shop for $20k anymore. Maybe if you do it yourself or get an extreme buddy deal, but with materials prices now, even that’s questionable. I think given the condition of the paint/roof, even if it truly has minimal metalwork needs, $65k is unrealistic. Also, GTX’s just don’t sell for all that much for some reason, compared to similar Mopar and non-Mopar muscle.
Must be full of bonds! Body lines showing bad work. Look at drivers door pic vs passenger door pic ! And why no engine compartment pics ?
I’m in the $30-35k crowd. There’s quite a bit of cancer lingering all over the asphalt side. Also, did anyone read where the owner revealed the mileage? Maybe I missed it, but I read everything twice. I’m thinking he really didn’t want anyone to have it in their heads.
Ya no, thinking about this twice, I may be high on my thinking. The GTX was always known as the white collar gentleman’s ride. No factory A/C, and the entry level lowest hp 440 doesn’t make this car turn a head after a $25k rough rotisserie then add all the necessary replacement parts to make it shine while the $45k bodywork is eating into the piggy bank.
Well you can see water intrusion from both lower corners of the rear window the screws and sealer are holding the trim because the clip that holds the trim has rotted away and the trunk rust is related to this as well so the question is just how long has this been going on..
The fact that the paint is peeling tells me that the car wasn’t sanded thoroughly. You would have to strip the car and start over, plus fix the rust under the vinyl top and in the trunk. I’d say you’re looking at another $40,000 to $50,000 invested.
That appears to be bondo on the door where the paint is lifting or that’s is some 30 layer thick paint plus some on the underbody at the edge of the fender.
64K ????? Pfft………………
To me Semi-survivor means getting hit by a big truck and being still alive afterwards.
I think what we’re looking at here is a $30k driver. The bottom looks remarkably clean. Interior also looks good. The problem with this car is rust around the back window. 65k is just out of the ballpark.
That is not near to being a 65K car. It has too many issues such as paint and that back window is certainly suspect. Get those things fixed and then try for the big bucks.
I really like this car otherwise. My oldest brother had a 70 Roadrunner that I really liked just as I liked his 68 Roadrunner. We raced the 68 against my 68 GTO and it was side by side til the end.
35K should be absolute tops for this one as it sits.
Beautiful color combo and I do love the GTX’s from 67′ to 70′, but I think he’s sorely overpriced given it’s current state. I won’t bring up all the issues since several others here have already, but I’d find it very hard to believe it selling for even close to that amount of money.
i would remove it from the sales at this point. regroup and find an in-person auction and try there. i spoke with seller some months back about the no sale. another lame ebay buyer being an a**hole.
No Sure-Grip? No bueno!
This Mopar is ok but the price is too high and there are no under hood pictures.
It’s got to be full of body filler. The lines don’t match up on both sides . That means a bunch of grinding needs to be down to see the real damage ? Rust or collision ? I bet rust