Restored Numbers Matching GTX 440/375 HP Super Commando

Being a diehard car enthusiast, you know right away when you're in the 'right' car. First, it's got to be cool. This numbers-matching Plymouth GTX certainly fits that criterion. Next, you have to be able to sit in the car, move it 10 feet, and already know it's clean, unmolested and original. One look under this beast confirms that. The documentation has to be in order. And, again, this pavement-pounder hits all the right marks with an original drivetrain, an original fender tag and original broadcast sheets. Finally, you have to enjoy driving the car as much as you enjoy looking at it.... See what we mean?

Speaking of documentation, let's have a look at those original broadcast sheets. Here are some highlights:

PP1 -- Bright Red exterior
S6X -- Black interior
B -- Black side stripes
83 -- 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8
301 -- Black vinyl top
395 -- Heavy duty A727 Torqueflite automatic transmission
404 -- 3.23 rear axle
408 -- Sure Grip differential
421 -- Music Master AM radio
44 -- F70x14 Redline tires
456 -- Power steering
478 --11-inch drum brakes
486 -- Console
564 -- Bucket seats
573 -- Woodgrain steering wheel
580 -- Chrome Magnum 500 wheels
691 -- Sold car

Sold new by Artwin Motor Sales of Brooklyn, New York, and spared from the typical ravages of city life, this slick Plymouth is the beneficiary of a high quality, professional restoration that began with solid, mostly-original sheetmetal. That sheetmetal, which includes an NOS driver's fender, was painstakingly stripped, sanded and massaged to better-than-new condition. Once those massaged panels were correctly aligned, a smooth coat of Chrysler code PP1 Matador Red was laid under bright rocker stripes. And the result is an ultra-straight, fully detailed pavement pounder that, thanks to its glossy pigment, literally glows under our bright showroom lighting.

Every bit of this Mopar's bright ornamentation is extremely clean, lending excellent detail to the aforementioned two-stage. At the front of the car, $1,200 worth of restored grille hangs a bold “GTX” badge between four halogen headlights, a re-chromed bumper and crystal clear parking lamps. Behind that grille, a war-painted hood centers subtle, “440” branded scoops between a small “PLYMOUTH” script and correct turn signal indicators. Above that hood, like-new glass rides between a flashy chrome mirror, well-maintained trim and a clean vinyl roof. Below that glass, slab-sided body panels hang straight rocker guards and aggressive “GTX” emblems between dent-free wheel lips and old school Chrysler door handles. And at the back of the car, a fully restored valence anchors crystal clear tail lamps beside a second “GTX” badge, a wide-set “PLYMOUTH” script, a second re-chromed bumper and spotless stainless exhaust tips.

Tilt the car's hood and you'll find an original, 440 cubic inch RB V8 that's marked with a correct “D440” assembly stamp and matching partial VIN. More popular than Chrysler's famed Hemi, and almost as feared as Plymouth's 440 6 BBL, this Super Commando V8 was designed to offer an exceptional combination of speed and civility. Oxygen transitions from a correctly decaled, organisol-coated air cleaner to a '69 4640S carburetor. At the front of that service replacement carb, electronic ignition sequences fire into a fresh set of Autolite PROFESSIONAL Series plug wires. At the sides of that distributor, Turquoise valve covers perfectly contrast ceramic-coated, long-tube headers. Cooling is supplied by an original Chrysler radiator that's cinched to pliable hoses via simple Corbin clamps. And power is provided by a reproduction Mopar red cap that's restrained by a correct tie-down. Aesthetically, the car's bay looks spectacular, all the way from its black carburetor spring to its Pentastar washer reservoir and red inner fenders. And functionally, one quick turn of the ignition results in a rumbling, high performance idle: hot or cold.

This Plymouth's chassis specs leave little question as to why Chrysler's B-body architecture was such a huge hit with performance car fans. Take a step under our lift and you'll find a tough ol' stoplight skeleton that's been maintained to the same high standards as the car's bright engine bay and shiny exterior panels. Behind the Super Commando, an original A727 Torqueflite 3-speed twists a familiar Chrysler Sure Grip around correct, 3.23 gears. Below that proven powertrain, a factory-accurate suspension has been methodically rebuilt to include power steering and power front disc and rear drum brakes. Above that proven powertrain, solid floors are layered in weather-resistant undercoating and dressed in items like a modern fuel tank and leak-free fluid lines. Exhaust is handled by high-flow TTI pipes, which jettison cooked dinosaurs via throaty, dual-chamber mufflers. And power grabs the pavement through chrome Magnum 500s, which spin 245/60R15 Uniroyal Tiger Paw redlines around stylish chrome center caps.

Counter to today's obsession with technology and convenience, it seems old school American muscle cars only needed vinyl hides, a bit of wood trim and essential instrumentation to strike a perfect balance between 'instantly classic' and 'perpetually cool'. And when you open this coupe's solid doors, you'll find a correct cockpit that seamlessly melds legendary Mopar power with a stylish, no-nonsense driving environment. At the center of the floors, firm front bucket and rear bench seats are stuffed with good padding and topped with black, Plymouth-embossed covers. At the sides of those seats, original door panels hang chrome-seated armrests below bright wood trim and glossy black frames. At the bottom of those panels, good looking carpet is protected by "GTX" branded floor mats. On top of that carpet, an original console anchors a curved shifter between factory courtesy lamps. And, opposite that console, a tight headliner is stretched around straight roof bows and a small dome light. The car's original dash hangs rebuilt gauges beside an original AM radio and hidden Clarion CD player. In front of the driver, an original steering wheel spins satin spokes around a padded column cover. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk is authentic all the way down to its full-size spare, refurbished jack and plaid-patterned mat.

The sale of this square-jawed Chrysler includes two original broadcast sheets, a reproduction window sticker and a small stack of historical documentation.

If you're the kind of hardcore GTX fans we are, you probably agree that it doesn't get much better than this Matador Red Mopar. With a numbers-matching drivetrain, high quality restoration and mostly original parts, this "gentleman's muscle car" is a great cruiser -- especially considering its smooth power steering and highway-friendly, 3.23 gearing. And, with a nice finish, good provenance and massive originality, it's essentially perfect to show AND drive!