Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a concours-level restoration that, completed in
2010, has logged roughly 1K miles
Original 440 cubic inch Super Commando V8 / 6 BBL induction
Original A833 4-speed manual transmission
Correct Lime Light paint
Correct Black vinyl bucket seat interior
Dana 60 rear axle / Sure-Grip differential / 3.54 gears
17-inch billet wheels
Power steering / 4-wheel disc brakes
Upgraded suspension
Sale includes restoration photos
Garden-variety just won't cut it here at RK Motors Charlotte. We
turn away a lot of cars that don't meet our standards because we
know they won't meet yours. And whenever there's something neat
that simply needs a little tweaking, our own RKM Performance Center
can take it to the next level. Today's case in point? A 1970
Plymouth GTX that features a numbers-matching 440, 4-speed
transmission and correct Lime Light aesthetics. But since sometimes
"stock" just won't do, we let the pros over at the RKM Performance
Center take a crack at it. Without making any changes that can't be
unbolted and returned to 100% stock condition, the result was this
killer GTX resto-mod that'll knock 'em dead on the road and at the
show!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Thanks to nut-and-bolt restoration, conducted roughly 1,000 miles
ago by the RKM Performance Center, this coupe is truly sublime in
every way. Naturally, the car's paint and bodywork were worked to a
concours level. Those massive quarter panels are straight and body
gaps are better than new. The paint is modern 2-stage urethane that
was applied over a rigorously block-sanded body. Correct satin
stripes were added to the Air Grabber hood to duplicate Chrysler's
Performance Hood Treatment, and along the sides of the car
terminating in the scoops in the rear quarters. And hours of
color-sanding and buffing resulted in a paint finish that, if it
were some kind of wild candy-pearl concoction with flames, would be
winning Best Paint awards at national-level shows.
Trim is equally nice, with front and rear bumpers that are
brilliantly refinished in show chrome to match highly polished
stainless. Correct GTX emblems were added to the flanks. The grille
has been properly restored in correct Argent Silver, and the Satin
Black tail panel looks perfect against the green paint. New lenses
have been installed throughout, and where reproductions were not
available, the originals were polished to as-new condition.
ENGINE
Pull the pins on the car's Air Grabber hood and you'll find an
original V-code High Performance 440 6 BBL Super Commando V8. The
engine was rebuilt to stock specs during the restoration. Proven
ancillaries, like a Wilwood master cylinder and pliable MoPar plug
wires, complement factory-correct elements, like Hemi Orange paint
and a reproduction red cap battery. Up top, the 6 BBL carburetion
system was rebuilt and tucked away under a correctly decaled air
cleaner. And everything is flanked by a set of coated long-tube
headers.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
The chassis was where a bulk of the modifications were made. But,
again, there's nothing that can't be unbolted and returned to stock
in a weekend if a pure stock GTX is what you're after. The floors,
of course, are painted to match the body, something that many
particularly enjoy with MoPar's Hi Impact Pigments. Detailed for
show, everything is fresh, from the lines and hoses to the gas
tank, as well as that beautifully finished stainless steel exhaust
system that's complete with Magnaflow mufflers. Behind the 440, an
original A833 4-speed twists a stout Dana 60 that's stuffed with
3.54 gears and a Sure Grip differential. Up front, the car's
original suspension was upfitted with a set of trick shocks and fat
sway bars, along with a tighter steering box for improved curve
feel. In back, lighter leaf springs and upgraded shocks were
installed to make the chassis more responsive, and polyurethane
bushings were used throughout to improve precision and tracking.
Wilwood disc brakes were bolted up at all four corners, finally
supplying this MoPar with the braking power to match its big
horsepower. Rounding out the modifications is a set of custom-built
billet wheels that are shod with two 245/40ZR17 Michelin Pilot
Sport A/S and two 275/40ZR18s Michelin Pilot Sport A/S.
INTERIOR
Interiors were one place where Chrysler consistently got it right,
and this GTX is no exception. Restored to 100% stock
specifications, this car's black bucket seat cockpit is every bit
as comfortable as it looks. The GTX was intended to be an upscale
model, and simulated wood was used liberally throughout its
passenger compartment. The seats have been given fresh foam and
covers, which feature gray piping for a bit of contrast. A
reproduction console from B/E & A adds to the luxury feel. Also
from B/E & A is a reproduction woodgrain steering wheel. Fade-free
carpets cover the floor, protected by GTX logo floor mats. The
gauges were rebuilt to include a Tic-Toc-Tach, and there's a
correct Pistol Grip shifter atop the 4-speed transmission. On a
resto-mod, one is always tempted to go overboard with the
entertainment system, but to preserve this incredible
numbers-matching classic's integrity, the original R11 Music Master
radio was retained and rebuilt. And, finally, the trunk was
finished to OEM standards, with a fresh mat, a full-size spare tire
and a correct jack assembly.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Here's a quick look at the car's Fender Tag:
RS23:
- Plymouth Belvedere/Satellite
- Special/GTX
- 2-door hardtop
V0G:
- 440 cubic inch V8 that utilizes three 2-barrel carburetors to
create 390 horsepower
- 1970 model year
- Assembled in St. Louis, Missouri
161703: Production Sequence Number
E87: 440 cubic inch V8 that utilizes three 2-barrel carburetors to
create 390 horsepower
D21: 4-Speed manual transmission
FJ5: Lime Light body paint
P6XA: Premium Black trim/vinyl bucket seats
TX9: Black Velvet door frames
B18: Assembled on November 18th, 1969
079460: Order number
FJ5: Lime Light roof paint
A33: Track Pak axle/3.54 gears
C21: Center front seat cushion
C55: Bucket seats
J25: 3-Speed wipers
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
N85: Tachometer
N96: Fresh Air Hood
R11: 2-watt Solid State radio
V21: Performance Hood Treatment
V6X: Black longitudinal stripes
26: 26-inch radiator
END: End of Sales Codes
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Vintage marketing literature
Restoration photos
A wheel key
A large display board
Restored to stock condition, this would undoubtedly be a top-flight
GTX that would take home awards at the MoPar Nationals. Given that
fact, a few choice modifications really take the car to an entirely
new level. Professionally restored, and modified so that it can be
returned to stock condition at any time, this GTX presents the best
of both worlds. Its numbers-matching powertrain, killer Lime Light
paint and load of desirable options make it a quality investment
that you'll enjoy driving and showing. Looking for some first class
muscle? This Plymouth is exactly the classic you've been searching
for!
