Vehicle Description
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 fa�ade. 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!
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a professional, ground-up restoration that
utilized many original and NOS components
Winner of ...for more information please contact the seller.
