This 1969 Plymouth GTX 440 is a perfect combination of factory original, show car condition, daily driver reliable, all with collector quality documentation. This car shows 40,424 miles on the odometer; is a solid, original body panel car that has never been blown apart. Talk to most everyone who has driven a factory assembled car versus even the most expensive rotisserie restoration, they all agree, its only original once. The drive just hits different. This GTX was too nice to take all the way down. The interior- unrestored original. The glass- unrestored original. The engine bay- unrestored original. The trunk area - unrestored original. Undercarriage - unrestored original. One repaint with a fresh vinyl roof- this time in black rather a hard-to-keep-clean white. The reflective sport stripe? Red to coordinate with the tires instead of white, and it looks right. Mechanically, she is one well sorted machine. The engine and transmission were gone through less than a year ago and runs like new. The result, a beautifully preserved original car that you can actually drive and enjoy on a sunny day.
She is one beautifully appointed B-body. The high-performance 375 horsepower 440 4-bbl is backed by a 727 Torqueflite transmission, feeding the power to the ground through a 3.23:1 8 3/4"" rear axle. Heavy duty power brakes, heavy duty suspension and front and rear shocks, and 26"" 'HEMI' radiator. The car is also outfitted with factory Air Conditioning. Tinted glass all the way around keeps the cabin cool once the A/C kicks in.
The engine and the engine bay are very clean and very original with zero evidence of restoration or retouch. Some of the consumables- belts, hoses, wires, etc. have been serviced and updated as part of the mechanical refurbishment. If you like to tinker with the details, there is opportunity for you in correcting some clamps and other minor nits to pick. If your mission is to take it out on blue sky days and kick it in the pants, then your work here is done.
Inside, the two-one blue command center combines sport and comfort. The three-spoke woodgrain performance steering wheel frames an aircraft inspired instrument cluster holding a full complement of gauges, a 150mph speedometer flanked on each side, Alternator and Gasoline on the left and Temperature on the right. Our favorite seating offered by Plymouth is featured upfront, the Buddy Bucket seat, split buckets with a mini jump seat in the middle that converts to a full-size armrest when there are only one or two in the seated in front. Fold it up and the iconic ""honey side"" is fully intact for the Drive-in or Cruise Night.
The body is simply beautiful. The B3 Silver Blue Metallic is mirror smooth and morning dew glossy. The panels are all original. They line up like military formation awaiting morning inspection. Gaps and seams are uniform and squared away. All the stainless trim, grill and tail panel work is in excellent condition. This GTX is a beastly, bulging man in a finely tailored blue suit. Just like Montblanc cufflinks and a Rolex OP41, the factory chromed Magnum 500 Wheels complete the look.
The undercarriage is well preserved and highly original. A new exhaust and fuel tank offset the patina of solid, clean floor pans and frame extensions. The trunk shows the same- a complete accoutrement of jack, spare, mat and tire iron. Pictures of the rear seat cross bracing and the underside of the rear package tray reveal some minor oxidation of the bare metal. A dry ice treatment of the trunk and underbody would bring each back to looking brand new with very little hassle. Even less hassle? Just drive and enjoy it as it sits. The overall condition is a testament to just how well this car has been kept and cared for over the past 55 years.
Did I mention the car is 100% matching and fully documented by the original Fender Tag and the factory Broadcast sheet? Your turn to twist the key, hit gas, and kick some...you know the rest.
Decoding of Fender Tag: Bottom to Top, Left to Right
Code Description
E86 440-4 Barrel High Performance
D32 H-D A-727 TorqueFlite Trans / Some Years A-998
RS23
R = Plymouth GTX
S = Special
23 = 2 Door Hardtop
L9G
L = 440 375HP 1-4BBL 8 CYL
9 = 1969
G = St. Louis, MO, USA
188951 Sequence Number '188951'
B3 Paint Code: Light Blue Metallic
P6D
Trim Grade/Style/Color
P = Premium
6 = Vinyl Bucket Seats
D = Dark Blue
B7 Upper Door Frame: Medium Blue Metallic
C16 Date Built: 12 / 16 / 1968
315128 Order Number: 315128
A01 Roof Type OR Color: Light Package
A04 Basic (Radio) Group
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
C21 Center Seat Fold-Down Armrest
C55 Bucket Seats
G33 Left Hand Outside Mirror - Manual / Chrome
B51 Power Assisted Brakes
J25 3 Speed Variable Wipers
L31 Hood / Fender Mount Turn Signal
M21 Roof Drip Rail Moldings
M31 Belt Molding 69-70
M33 Body Side Moldings
R11 Music Master Radio AM
V1W Full Vinyl Top - White
V6W White Longitude Sports Stripe
26 26 in. Radiator
END End of Codes
