Based upon the Plymouth B-Body line of vehicles, the GTX was initially developed upon the Belvedere, and marketed as a “Gentleman’s muscle car” with both outright performance and a plushly-trimmed cabin combining speed and comfort in one package.
Introduced in 1968, the second-generation GTX received a major visual overhaul, with the high-performance 440ci engine and TorqueFlite transmission now being standard fitment for the model, with the 426 Hemi being offered as an option.
For the 1969 model year, cars can be identified by the black lower-body stripe, revised head and tail lights, and other minor changes. 1969 was also the last year the GTX was offered with a convertible body style, though this was a little-purchased vehicle, with only 701 built throughout the year.
Built in 1969, this second-generation 440-engined GTX Coupé has, rather unusually, lived the majority of its life in the UK, being first brought over and registered here in 1973, suggesting it perhaps came over as part of a US Service family based in the UK, or as part of an enthusiast re-locating to the UK and bringing the vehicle with them.
Purchased by the vendor’s father in the early 1980s from the first registered UK keeper in Birmingham, the car was in primer at the time of purchase, and was subsequently sprayed in the metallic blue colour that you see here, which we’ve been told is the correct factory colour for this GTX 440.
Subsequently, the car was treated by the vendor’s father “like another child… a member of the family” and hours upon hours were spent fettling, upgrading and tending to the needs of this V8-powered beast.
Evidently, this fastidious ownership paid off, as the car won a number of trophies at various shows and meets that the vendor’s father attended in the vehicle, which was no doubt even more head-turning during the 80s and 90s than it is today.
During his ownership, the car also proved to be a hit with the vendor’s family and friends, being used as a wedding vehicle on one occasion, and generally receiving the level of care that is befitting of a trophy-winning classic such as this.
Sadly, the vendor’s father - the owner of the vehicle - has since passed, and the car has been stood for around 10 years in dry storage, meaning a light mechanical recommissioning will be required, though the car has been started and driven whilst in the care of the vendor, as you can see in the video below.
Now, the time has sadly come for this GTX 440 to find a new home “with someone that’ll love it as much as we have” says the vendor, who is hoping that this classic muscle car will find a home with a committed, enthusiast owner that will restore it to its former glory and continue to use and enjoy it for many years to come.
Included with the vehicle is a plethora of MoT certificates, the V5 showing only one former UK keeper, the original build sheet for the vehicle, and the document declaring the vehicle registered as a historic car, thereby marking it exempt from mandatory MoT examinations.
Inside, the car has clearly seen better days and requires a deep valet, though the vehicle appears to be complete - always a good sign in our opinion, and it means that the aesthetic restoration of this well-appointed cabin shouldn’t prove too tricky.
A lot of the wear-and-tear also appears to be purely superficial, with some rips noted on the front seats, staining to the seat surrounds and backs, wear to the carpet (particularly in the front footwells) and some sagging to the headliner.
The high-traffic areas such as the door cards, arm-rests, shifter and steering wheel all wear varying stages of usage patina, but are certainly useable as they sit.
There are some good areas, too. The dashboard, instrument bezel and centre console are in good order, whilst the rear seats have also fared decidedly better than those up-front, and could well be left as-is by the next owner.
There are no signs of any missing items as far as we can see, and no reported faults from any of the switchgear or systems to the best of the vendor’s knowledge.
Eye-catching and still striking a mean silhouette over 50 years since it rolled off the production line, this GTX 440 Coupé is a true statement vehicle, and is certain to draw a crowd wherever it may go.
The paintwork and body are in generally good condition, with a few alignment issues noted on the body (most notably on the offside edge of the bonnet and the ‘trunk’ lid) whilst there are a few small patches of bubbling around the windscreen scuttle and a couple of more noticeable marks and imperfections scattered around the vehicle.
The lower sections of the bodywork are also in mid-stages of paint prep, with the vendor stating that her father was in the process of re-instating the correct black lower-half of the vehicle (as it would’ve come from the factory) though, sadly, these plans were not completed before his health took a downwards turn.
Up above, the vinyl roof covering is generally in great shape with no immediate need for attention, though there are one-or-two patches where the adhesive is beginning to fail.
Below the voluminous arches of this 60’s icon, all four of the American Racing wheels are in very good condition, with no signs of any major kerb rash or damage to worry about.
Under the bonnet - or should that be ‘hood’ in this instance - the 440 ‘big block’ V8 engine looks to be in good condition from a visual standpoint, and there is evidence of recent works judging by the condition of the leads, some pipework and the overall presentation of the engine bay.
The vendor notes that the car is not currently running due to a battery drain issue, whilst when starting the vehicle the air cleaner needs to be removed and the carburettor manually adjusted, though a good tune-up and a new battery should resolve these issues.
That said, the vendor has had the car running and driving in recent times, with a video below showing the car in full working order. Due to its long period spent standing, a major service would be advised, along with inspection of the brakes and suspension for peace of mind.
It would also appear that numerous mechanical upgrades have been made to the vehicle, judging by the various ‘speed shop’ stickers adorning the car, though there is no paperwork to certify this, nor any list of modifications/upgrades made.
There is a small leak from the transmission, though this is likely due to a gasket or similar drying out from minimal use.
Coming from cherished, long-term ownership and dry-stored in recent years, this is a rare opportunity to obtain a Plymouth GTX 440 that is running and driving, yet would benefit from the care and attention of a loving, dedicated enthusiast owner that would seek to return the vehicle to its former glory, and return the car to its trophy winning streak!
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1969 Plymouth GTX 440
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