Award Winning Rotisserie Restored GTX Hardtop 426 HEMI V8 4-speed Dana 60

If you're a fan of Plymouth, Chrysler's legendary purveyor of muscle cars, it seems like everywhere you turn you see some variation of Road Runner or 'Cuda. It's almost as if a large segment of the hobby has simply forgotten how versatile the Mayflower brand was during the height of the muscle car era. Or, maybe it's just selective memory. Maybe old school Plymouth lovers are too ashamed to admit cars like this national award-winning GTX, with its beefy Hemi, tough 4-speed and sinister Black on Black aesthetics, are more comfortable, just as attractive and darn near as fast as hyped E-Bodies and plebeian B-Bodies. At any rate, the proof is on the pavement, and if you buy this fully restored piece of Americana, you'll be able to slay the stoplight AND enjoy the open road! Are you a traditional enthusiast who's looking for a rock-solid classic that's stylish, well-mannered and quick enough to shuttle your other-minded friends on enlightening journeys? Then this buff Belvedere is just the car you need!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Purchased in 1988 by its restorer and current owner, this GTX was believed to be a tow vehicle for a Connecticut-based drag racer. The Plymouth was in good shape, given its great upkeep and paltry 23K miles, so the new owner quickly disassembled the car and shipped its body out for a full chemical strip. When that shell was deemed clean, a gentle glass beading process was immediately followed with new lead seams, a new fender and a new quarter. And with the body solid, high quality DuPont aircraft primer laid a smooth foundation for glossy Black 2-stage that's infinitely more attractive than the car's original green hue.

Restoring an old school GTX isn't easy now, and it certainly wasn't any easier in the late 1980s. That meant the car's owner had to collect many NOS parts before finishing the project. Fast forward to the mid 1990s, when the Plymouth was shipped to the MoPar experts at Pennsylvania's Totally Auto Inc. for detailed reassembly. Unfortunately, as it does, life took a turn and the owner had to completely relocate his family and halt progress on the build. That meant the GTX would be put in storage for a few years while the owner focused on solidifying his career. But eventually, around 2007, a final push completed the car's ground-up restoration. Since that assembly, this Plymouth has left climate-controlled storage long enough to log an easy 300 miles. And, according to the owner, those 300 miles included big accolades like First Place at the 2008 MoPar Nationals, First Place at the 2011 MoPars on the Mississippi, and First in Class at the 2017 MoPar Nationals.

Every bit of this B-Body's bright ornamentation appears straight and presents well. At the front of the car's broad shouldered body, an NOS grille hangs a distinctly American accent between original headlights, simple parking lamps and an original, re-chromed bumper. At the top of that grille, a correct hood anchors a “426” branded gunsight between an NOS “P L Y M O U T H” header script, original stainless and date-coded glass. At the sides of that hood, a stainless-trimmed profile floats original door handles and a correct driver's mirror behind NOS “HEMI” badges, ornate turn indicators and NOS “Belvedere GTX” scripts. And at the back of the car, a familiar Pit Stop Fuel Filler leads the eye to a second original bumper, which frames NOS taillights, an NOS valance, and NOS “HEMI” and “GTX” badges.

ENGINE

Authenticated by a famous 2468330 casting number, this GTX's 426 cubic inch Hemi benefitted from a professional rebuild that was conducted by Dave Bruns of Washington, Iowa's Mid America Racing Engines. As Plymouth's top option for power hungry gearheads, Chrysler's legendary elephant block utilized cast iron heads, an oversquare bore, a forged steel crank, forged steel rods, forged aluminum pistons and a hydraulic cam to twist stout 10.25 to 1 compression into a stated 425 horsepower and 490 lb./ft. of torque. All that high performance hardware spins in a Street Hemi Orange block, which hangs powder-coated valve covers over correct, low-restriction exhaust manifolds. Oxygen is supplied by an original air cleaner, which rides restored, original carburetors and a correct aluminum intake. Compression is sparked by Chrysler Electronic Suppression cables, which are snapped onto an NOS points distributor. And a correct, 26-inch radiator utilizes pliable hoses and old school squeeze clamps to cool combustion. Thanks to minimal road time, the body-matched engine bay is as spotless as it is accurate. Mechanically, the big mill cruises just as well as when it rolled out of the restoration shop. And naturally, a roster of correct ancillaries includes items like a Chrysler washer reservoir, an NOS alternator, a reproduction MoPar battery and a fresh Fender Tag that reflects the car's choice color change.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

This GTX definitely has the performance to back up its killer looks. Behind the big-bore engine, a rugged A833 4-speed spins a powder-coated Dana axle that's finished with 4.10 gears and a Sure Grip differential. Naturally, the front torsion bar and rear leaf suspension has been completely restored to include correct manual steering. 2.5-inch, aluminized exhaust pipes send spent gases through an H-shaped crossover, requisite turbo mufflers and polished stainless tips. Stops are provided by two power-assisted calipers, professionally rebuilt by SSBC, and two power-assisted drums that, like the car's rotors, are NOS equipment. At the corners of the chassis, chrome Magnum 500s twist 7.75-14 Firestone Deluxe Champion redlines. The car's over-restored floors are as clean and glossy as its first class façade. And everything, from this Plymouth's clean stainless fuel tank to its fresh stainless chassis bolts, presents every bit as well as when it rolled out of restoration.

INTERIOR

Swivel this Plymouth's level doors and you'll find a stylish Black interior that's functional, straightforward and very livable. Correct bench and bucket seats are wrapped in pliable vinyl covers that display hardly any signs of wear. Beneath those seats, fade-free carpet floats red-letter floor mats around an NOS Inland shifter. In front of that shifter, a Just Dashes restored dash seats NOS telemetry next to a Plymouth Transaudio radio. At the sides of that dash, monochromatic door panels look sublime behind factory-spec trim and glossy Black frames. And in front of the driver, a classy steering wheel laps a big Sun Super Tach II.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

* Restoration photos
* Restoration receipts
* A copy of the car's Daimler Chrysler Production Record
* A copy of the car's Daimler Chrysler Punch Card
* Paperwork from the Daimler Chrysler Corporate Historical Collection

When it comes to maximizing the amount of metal your money will buy, it's hard to go wrong with premier Detroit muscle. Plymouth's 426-powered beasts are extremely popular cars that are fancied by performance enthusiasts and collectors alike. And when you add in this hardtop's detailed restoration and striking appearance, you get a fully sorted classic that's fun, historic and ready to turn heads. If you're looking for stylish, comfortable and reliable piece that commands a lot of respect on the highway, and feels right at home at the show, this GTX is your ticket!

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SUMMARY
* The beneficiary of a professional, ground-up restoration that utilized many original and NOS components
* Winner of multiple national awards
* 426 cubic inch Hemi V8 / Professionally rebuilt
* A833 4-speed manual transmission
* Dana 60 rear axle / Sure Grip differential / 4.10 gears
* Sale includes: Restoration photos / Restoration receipts / Daimler Chrysler Corporate Historical Collection paperwork
* Power front disc and rear drum brakes
* 14-inch Magnum 500 wheels
* Desirable Black exterior color
* Black bucket seat interior