The Plymouth GTX was an automobile introduced as the Belvedere GTX in 1967 by the Plymouth division and positioned as a "gentleman's" muscle car.
1967
The GTX was to be an exceptional blend of style and performance. What differentiated it from a normal Belvedere was its special grille and rear fascia, shared with the Satellite, chrome "pit stop" fuel filler cap and optional racing stripes. For the performance aspect of the vehicle, a heavy duty suspension system was made standard. Standard too was Plymouth's 440 cu in (7.2 L) V8 called the "Super Commando 440". The engine was rated at 375 hp (280 kW). Buyers in 1967 could pay an extra US$546 and replace the 440 with Chrysler's 426 cu in (7.0 L) Hemi. The 426 was nicknamed the "Elephant."
Performance
1968-1970
In 1968, after one year of production, the GTX was given a completely new look. A new hourglass body replaced the more box-like body of 1967. The Road Runner was introduced by Plymouth as a budget performance version of the Belvedere. There were major changes made in the design of all the Plymouth B-bodies. The Road Runner's base engine was the new 383 cu in (6.3 L) "Super Commando" V8 (renamed the "Road Runner 383"), while the high performance 440 was still standard in the GTX. The TorqueFlite automatic transmission was standard on the GTX, with it being a US$206 option in the Road Runner. The GTX used the Sport Satellite trim and was offered in two models, the two-door convertible and the two-door hardtop. The Road Runner used the Belvedere trim, and had less insulation and comfort items (padding, vinyl roof, trim), which reduced weight, helped produce better track times, and kept it in the low price field.
1969
In 1969, the GTX's sales were hurt when the Road Runner was also offered in a convertible body style. The GTX received minor cosmetic changes, as well as the introduction of the optional Air Grabber hood (standard on Hemi-engined models), which made the openings running length wise down both sides of the hood functional. The standard 440 V8 was still rated at 375Â hp (280Â kW). The 69 GTX was the last year that the convertible model was available on the GTX (VIN RS27). Chrysler Corporation only made 701 GTX convertibles in 1969. Of those, eleven were equipped with the 426 Hemi; four 4-speeds and seven TorqueFlite automatics. The 1969 GTX also had standard black lower body side paint, replacing the dual, horizontal "racing" stripe on the lower sides of the 1968 model.
1970
The 1970 GTX received a minor redesign (new grille and rear taillights) but sales still suffered as the car did not look much different from the Road Runner. Stylists made the lines smoother, and a "power bulge" hood was introduced, as well as non-functional rear brake air scoops. The convertible model was dropped in 1970. The Air Grabber hood was brought back, but instead of having two narrow openings running length-wise as in 1969, it had one opening scoop located on the power bulge. The GTX was available with the standard 440 four-barrel carburetor, as well as the 440+6 barrel (three two-barrel carburetors) and the 426 Hemi. In keeping with the GTX marketing strategy, the 1970 model included many standard features. The only other performance luxury model in Plymouth's lineup was the full-size Sport Fury GT, built on the C-Body platform. The GT was added to the lineup in 1970. The GT never received the recognition of the GTX, even though they shared many performance features. The Sport Fury GT was the full-size member of The Rapid Transit System. The Sport Fury GT was often viewed as more of a mature gentleman's performance luxury car. Also, GTX is one of the most sought after Plymouth models ever produced.
1971
Though completely redesigned for 1971, this was the final year for the GTX as a stand-alone model. Engine choices were 440 four-barrel, 440 with three two-barrels (Six Barrel), and 426 Hemi. Emission restrictions such as lower compression ratios and faster-acting choke operation lowered the base 440 output by 5Â hp (3.7Â kW), to 370Â hp (280Â kW). The 440 Six Barrel was down to 385Â hp (287Â kW), but the Hemi was still rated at 425Â hp (317Â kW). Due partly to rising insurance rates on muscle cars, sales were low. There were less than 3000 units produced in '71. For 1972 through 1974, any Road Runner ordered with the optional 440 was renamed Road Runner GTX and included the badging of both previous models.
Notes
External links
- Plymouth GTX
- Plymouth GTX Resources
