We featured a preview of Mopar’s 1967 Plymouth GTX SEMA build last week. And I had a 1968 GTX as one of my AutoHunter Picks. So why not choose the 1969 version as a Pick of the Day? Very well—this 1969 Plymouth GTX hardtop is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Homer City, Pennsylvania. (Click the link to view the listing.)
In the second year of its styling cycle, the 1969 Plymouth GTX hardtop and convertible were refined as the high-performance market matured. Before, we saw inklings of this with Road Runner-esque advertisement illustrations and racing stripes; for 1969, Plymouth ditched the stripes but added bright colors, an available air induction system, and better marketing to the high-performance crowd. For a bigger performance look, two patches of flat black stripes on the hood replaced the black “sport hood patch.”
The mesh grille was history, with the front end now featuring a single horizontal bar in a deep-set grille, which was shared with the Sport Satellite. Taillights were somewhat like they were in 1968, but were recessed and angled, with back-up lights moved to the bumper. The trunk lid molding no longer featured reflectors, instead using a thinner applique with black inserts from taillight to taillight. Instead of stripes, the GTX featured full-length lower-body molding with black textured paint below it; reflective pinstripes in white or red (presumably to match the tires) ran just below the trim.
The 440 Super Commando was still the standard power plant and remained the biggest engine available in a performance car aside from the Hurst/Olds. Rated at 375 horsepower, the 440 was available with air induction via a vacuum-operated Air Grabber system. Optional was the 426 Hemi, which also came standard with the Air Grabber. A three-speed TorqueFlite automatic or a four-speed manual were still the only transmission choices, though marketing got involved with several performance axle packages.
Carried over from 1968 was the Performance Axle Package, which added a 3.55 rear axle ratio, Sure-Grip, a seven-blade radiator fan, and a 26-inch radiator with a fan shroud to TorqueFlite-equipped 440 and Hemi cars. A new Super Performance Axle Package upgraded the gears to 4.10 with a Dana rear, plus power disc brakes. For four-speed cars, the Track Pak featured 3.54 gears with a Dana, a seven-blade fan, and a 26-inch radiator with a fan shroud. Move up to the Super Track Pak (notice the pattern?) and you got equipment similar to that in the Super Performance Axle Package but with a four-speed, plus a dual-breaker distributor. Of course, 3.23 single-traction gears were standard for both 440 and Hemi GTXs equipped with TorqueFlite.
This Silver metallic 1969 Plymouth GTX hardtop is powered by the standard 440 paired with the TorqueFlite, but what stands out is the unique Pewter interior, this one with the standard buckets. The fender tag is intact and shows the Performance Axle Package (A36), a console (C16), a left-hand remote mirror (G33), air conditioning (H51, and quite rare with 3.55 gears), an AM radio (R11), a black vinyl top (V1X), and white lower-body stripes (V6W), among other items. It’s been a little modified since then, as “the car is equipped with a modern Holley Sniper EFI system for improved fuel efficiency and performance,” according to the seller. Power steering and brakes, including front and rear discs, help make driving a better experience in today’s traffic. Magnum 500 wheels measure 15×7 up front and 15×8 out back. The seller adds, “Performance upgrades include a Holley aluminum intake, electronic ignition, electric fuel pump, aluminum radiator, and flex cooling fan.” The rear gears have been changed to 3.43.
The Plymouth GTX was equipped from the start to handle most cars on the street and strip, yet it was trimmed nicely without the austerity of the Road Runner. Maybe that’s why Plymouth called it “The Boss”? For $65,900, you can show people exactly who that is.
Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.
Source: www.classiccars.com