This unrestored 1970 Plymouth GTX is a stunning green triple survivor

When redesigning the Belvedere for the 1965 model year, Plymouth knew there was a market for a higher-performance premium midsize, so it created the Satellite. However, the nameplate lost its top-of-the-line privileges in 1967. That's when Plymouth took things a step further with the GTX.

Like the initial Satellite, the GTX was limited to two-doors and V8 engines. But while the former was available with nearly every V8 powertrain, the GTX came with a top-of-the-line big-block engine. The 375-horsepower 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) RB was standard, while the option list included the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI. The latter sent 425 horsepower to the rear wheels.

The GTX also had a more upscale interior. But all those extras and more powerful mills also made it more expensive than the Satellite. As a result, the GTX was never a top seller. When it was discontinued in 1971, Plymouth had sold just 55,516 units. For comparison, the Satellite sold more than 67,000 in 1966 and 1967.

That doesn't mean the GTX is a hard-to-find classic. There are still plenty of them around. However, some transmission combinations are rare. I'm talking about the 426 HEMI, of course. The 440 Six-Barrel, offered only in 1970 and 1971, is also a rare option.

The base four-barrel 440 is the most common, with over 50,000 units produced, and the market is flooded with restored cars. And you can still find rusty examples in junkyards. However, unrestored survivors that still run and drive have become increasingly difficult to find. If you’re in the market for one of these gems, Mecum’s 2024 Dallas auction will have one up for auction.

This GTX is not one of those semi-survivors that have had a few upgrades and a repaint in the past. It is a true time capsule that still wears the original F8 Green paint. It also has a matching interior for an even rarer color scheme. And since it does not have a vinyl top, it is a true triple-green Mopar.

The paint is obviously scratched and chipped in places, but it looks good for its age. The same goes for the chrome trim, which appears to be in great condition, aside from a few swirls. The interior is almost free of the usual wear and tear you see on these types of vehicles. The GTX is far from perfect visually, but it is in fantastic condition for a classic that is 54 years old in 2024.

The engine has had its valve covers replaced, but otherwise everything is original. More importantly, it is a matching numbers unit that still runs. The three-speed automatic transmission is also factory correct.

The 440/automatic combination is the most common in the 1970 GTX, but the car is quite rare due to slow sales that year. Plymouth delivered 7,748 GTXs in 1970, 6,398 of which were equipped with this powertrain configuration. The automatic made it into 4,927 examples.

So, how much is this Mopar worth? The seller isn’t providing an estimate, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it change hands for close to $100,000. We’ll know more when it crosses the block on September 5, 2024.

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