Upgraded 440: 1969 Plymouth GTX

Some classics generate barely a blip on the radar when they hit the market, while others grab the attention of enthusiasts seeking a project candidate. This 1969 Plymouth GTX falls into the second category, with twenty people adding it to their Watch List in the last day alone. It is easy to see why. It is a promising candidate with an upgraded 440ci V8 under the hood. It runs and drives well, allowing the buyer to indulge in immediate motoring pleasure while they tackle its restoration at their leisure. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the GTX listed here on eBay in Staten Island, New York. The seller set their BIN at $23,500, and it appears that figure is pretty firm.

Introduced in 1967, the GTX was Plymouth’s entry into the muscle car market. The company came in all guns blazing, and the GTX sold in respectable numbers due to the combination of comfort and performance it offered. This GTX rolled off the line in 1969 and must have looked stunning in its original combination of Seafoam Turquoise with a Black vinyl top. Time has taken a toll on its appearance, with the paint now tired and, like Elvis, the vinyl has most definitely left the building. The presence of surface corrosion may worry some people, but the situation isn’t as bad as it may first seem. The seller admits that there is penetrating rust in the lower rear quarter panels and the trunk pan. However, the floors and the critical rails are rock-solid. There are a few minor spots of corrosion, but the lack of major problems may be due to someone undersealing the car early in its life. The panels sport a few minor dings, and some trim pieces may require replacement. However, the glass looks extremely nice, and the GTX rolls on new steel wheels.

Plymouth didn’t mess around when devising the GTX’s specifications. It was a muscle car, and its engines delivered performance befitting that market segment. The entry-level motor was the 440ci V8, and with the factory quoting power and torque figures of 375hp and 480 ft/lbs, the GTX was genuinely fast. This car features a 440, a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The seller states that the engine sports an upgraded camshaft that should unlock a few additional ponies, and that they fitted the transmission with a shift kit. They also installed a new fuel tank, brakes, tires, alternator, suspension bushes, and other components. This beauty runs and drives well and is a turnkey proposition.

This GTX’s interior reflects Plymouth’s desire to combine performance with comfort. The buyer receives bucket seats, a console, acres of faux woodgrain, and an AM radio. However, time has not treated it kindly, with the seats requiring new covers and the door trim deteriorating. A brace of aftermarket gauges sits atop the dashpad, which is a sea of cracks and splits. I’m not sure if a complete retrim is justified, because there are a significant number of components that would be fit for reuse if cleaned and polished. The decision depends on whether the buyer dreams of a driver-grade classic or a pristine one.

This 1969 Plymouth GTX is a promising project, and a couple of points in the seller’s listing provide reassurance. They actively encourage in-person inspections, suggesting they are confident this classic is all it claims to be. They also state that the new owner could fly in and drive it home, indicating how mechanically sound it is. There are few better ways to build a relationship with a classic than on a road trip. Does that thought tempt you?