Frame Up Restored Belvedere GTX 440 Super Commando V8

We've all heard stories of vintage Detroit iron spending years in dusty garages before the right person showed up at the right time and amended the situation. While some of those stories are purely fantasy (or at least heavily embellished) the real ones provide a little hope for all of us who dream of scoring that perfect original car. Today's dose of hope is this rotisserie restored 1967 Plymouth GTX. From 1971-2001, the car had only one owner who clearly went to great lengths to preserve it. After its tour of duty ended, the GTX was parked in a quiet garage until it was tracked down by the restorer. Today, the car shows 93,641 miles and sports all the right hardware. From the 440 V8 and its original components to the OEM sheet metal to the largely original interior, the car shows as authentic in every possible way. Backed up by paperwork including two(!) original broadcast sheets and its Certicard, this is the kind of Mopar you want in the garage!

A copy of the window sticker breaks the car down as:

RS23: Plymouth Belvedere GTX two-door hardtop
PP1: Bright Red paint
P6R: Red vinyl interior
83: Super Commando 440 4-bbl V8
291: Solid paint
365: GTX package
395: Torqueflite transmission
408: Sure-Grip differential
421: Transaudio AM Radio
451: Power brakes
456: Power steering
486: Console
522: Tinted windshield
581: Deluxe wheel covers
48: 7.75x14 Red Streak tires

After leaving the St. Louis assembly line, the car was delivered to Ary-Worth Plymouth in Portland, Oregon and carried a price tag of $3,755.20 (Insert standard “if I knew then” and “Wish I could go back and” comments here). The best part about having the information listed above is the ability to go through and discover that all of it remains on the car today. For starters, take a closer look at the Bright Red paint. It's the original color and exactly what you'll find in place now. While shades like black or white certainly back up the car's “gentleman's muscle car” persona, red offers more of a “gentleman on vacation” look. The paintwork was sprayed in 2002 and remains first rate all the way through. Below the top coat, all original sheet metal remains in place, aided by a lifetime of care. Everything fits together the way it should and, overall, the car presents very well.

Plymouth invested extra effort in attaching some unique pieces to the GTX to ensure the cars were never mistaken for their plebian Belvedere siblings. The look began with a black and silver grille with dual headlights at either side, mounted above a sleek chrome bumper. Two simulated air scoops rise from the hood, adding some aggression to the package. The greenhouse is comprised of clean glass with show quality stainless surrounding every bit of it while the side profile remains relatively free of noise. Only GTX badges, rocker trim, chrome door handles, and bright wheel moldings serve to break up the glossy red paint. Naturally, the pit-stop gas cap is in place on the driver side as well. The rear view offers taillights that conform to the quarter panel shape while a Plymouth-branded panel fills the space between. Another chrome bumper caps off the rear while two chrome exhaust tips extend away from each other below.

Throughout its life, this car has relied on only one source of power – a 440ci V8. Today, the engine compartment presents as new thanks to the meticulous restoration efforts. At the center, a correct block wears clean turquoise paint, a 2536430-4 casting number, a June casting date and an engine pad that shows it's a 440 assembled on August 30. At either side, 915 heads are covered in chrome valve covers while the original Carter carburetor mounts to the factory intake in between. A dual snorkel air cleaner tops the package, completed by Super Commando decals. The front of the engine spins an original alternator and power steering pump while a correct 26-inch radiator keeps the big block cool through reproduction hoses. The heads have been reworked to play well with unleaded fuel and the points-style ignition has been swapped out for an electronic setup, but the original ignition components are included with the car just in case you want to go back. The 440 is factory rated at 375 horsepower and breathes easy through cast iron exhaust manifolds that connect to a like-new dual exhaust system.

Shine a light underneath this GTX to find a detailed undercarriage restored to the same exacting standards as the engine compartment. Solid satin black floor pans put the new lines and hardware front and center while, in the center, a Torqueflite 3-speed automatic takes over shifting duties. Power meets the pavement through an 8.75-inch Sure-Grip differential supported by leaf springs and new shock while the front retains its beloved torsion bar suspension. While the car came with power brakes from the factory with power brakes, the front discs were an addition made during the restoration and one that makes a lot of sense for a big block car. Power steering pairs with those brakes to create a confidence-inspiring driving experience all around. At the corners, Magnum 500-style wheels fill in the wheel wells, wrapped in F70-15 Goodyear red lines.

The Big Three were all turning out some impressive interiors in the late 1960s but the Chrysler Corporation was arguably the best. The previous owners obviously agreed and preserved the interior of this GTX so well that remains almost entirely original. Only the carpet and seatbelts have been replaced, making this an excellent reference to what a B-body interior should look like. Bucket seats were part of the GTX package, so that's what you'll find for front row seating. The seats certainly don't look their age nor does the stylish center console between them which is topped with miles of chrome and stainless. From the driver seat, the factory dash features square lines that match the car's exterior. The central piece is a 150mph speedometer surrounded by two gauges on either side that monitor temperature, fuel, oil pressure, and generator output. Washer and light controls can be found below, with an XM radio receiver mounted to the left of the steering column. The original Plymouth Transaudio AM radio also remains in place, supplemented by an 8-track stereo with a line-out for passenger headphones (even a good idea by today's standards!). The sides of the cabin are rounded out by attractive factory door panels and taut red headliner. Behind the rear seat, the trunk looks showroom fresh thanks to a fresh mat.

With vintage Mopars, documentation is everything. The sale of this GTX include all the important pieces including two original broadcast sheets, the original fender tag, Certicard, a copy of the window sticker, and a full title history. There are also plenty of restoration photos that provide plenty of insight into the quality of restoration performed.

With its late-60s charm, original interior, and torquey 440, this GTX is the kind of car you can feel good about showing or driving just about anywhere. With its original paperwork, you can trust what you see and, with a meticulous restoration under its belt, you can rest assured its going to stay this way for quite some time. If a top notch Mopar is all that's missing from your garage, look no further!