Specifications |
The muscle car era of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s saw The Big Three U.S. automakers waging battles for the largest displacement and highest horsepower numbers they could put between the front frame rails, and GM, Ford and Chrysler all produced vehicles that have become legendary.
Mopar’s Plymouth Division offered the Road Runner, designed as a no-frills high horsepower performance car, in 1968 and used a cleverly executed advertising campaign capitalizing on a popular animated children’s television cartoon where the Road Runner always outsmarts his nemesis, Wil E. Coyote. Chrysler even licensed a special horn to be used on the Road Runner that sounded like the desert bird’s “voice” on the cartoon.
While popular with buyers, Chrysler soon found that there was a market for a performance-oriented car with additional creature comforts and offered the GTX as an upscale version of the Road Runner. While certainly not luxurious by today’s luxury standards, the GTX came standard with features such as power steering and power disc brakes that were added-cost options on the Road Runner while still offering either the 440 cubic inch V8 of the legendary 426 cubic inch Hemi made famous in NASCAR competition as powerplants.
Changes in government regulations along with skyrocketing insurance rates for high-performance vehicles brought an end to the muscle car era in the early 1970’s, and the Arab oil embargo that caused extreme gasoline shortages in 1973 was the final nail in the coffin. Today, well-restored examples of muscle cars from that period are highly sought after by car collectors and automotive enthusiasts.
While some prefer to return these flashy, fast cars to their original specifications, there’s a movement within the classic car community to upgrade these cars with more modern suspensions, braking and other components designed to enhance the driveability and performance of these cars. The terms “Pro Street” and “Pro Touring” are applied, often interchangeably, to these vehicles which generally have a lowered stance and larger, wider tires among the more visible modifications.
This 1969 Plymouth GTX is a stunning example of a high-quality Pro Touring restoration. The fender tag indicates the car was originally a triple black four-speed console car with a 440 cubic inch engine with a variety of factory options. While the dynamic lines of the original car still exist, the upgrades to this GTX are extensive.
Visually, the exterior has been finished in brilliant Toxic Orange Sunburst while retaining the factory correct black vinyl roof. The front bucket seats and rear bench seat from Legendary Interiors, also in black, are styled after the factory originals and lend to the original look.
A stroked 512 cubic inch featuring a polished March serpentine pully system driving power accessories rests between the frame rails, adding additional punch to the legendary powerful powerplant. An 18-spline Hemi four-speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch and two McLeoud clutch discs, transmits power to the Dana 60 rear end containing a set of 3.54:1 gears. A Gearvendors overdrive unit helps with fuel economy on tours and highway driving. Fuel is provided through a Holley in-tank fuel pump, sender and pressure regulator.
Stopping power is provided courtesy of Wilwood four wheel disc brakes, with six piston front calipers and four piston rear calipers along with a Wilwood master cylinder and proportioning valve. The front and rear suspension components are Hotchkis TVS units. A Dakota digital dash keeps track of speed, RPM’s and monitors engine functions.
In 2023, this GTX won People’s Choice and Best of Show at numerous large (300 to 500 entries) car shows in Indiana and Illinois. At one judged event the car scored an amazing 992 points out of a possible 1,000 earning top honors. In 2024 the GTX earned Best Mopar at the only judged show it has been entered in.
Evergreen Digital Showroom offerings this exceptional 1969 Plymouth GTX pro touring show car at a price of $279,900. Pre-purchase inspection is both welcomed and encouraged. We can arrange for shipping at buyer’s expense or will work with the shipper of buyer’s choice for transportation during regular business hours. The vehicle has a clean title and because of regulations governing licensed Missouri auto dealers the car is sold “mileage exempt” due to age. For additional information or to make an appointment to see this vehicle, call sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000.