The 1960s were pure awesome if you are a car guy. Imagine having an almost limitless options list that included engines, transmissions, colors, body styles, interior choices, even different types of carburetion. We kind of get that today, but it’s nothing like being able to go into your local Chrysler dealership and order up a car that’s specifically tailored to your own tastes. Cars like this 1969 Plymouth GTX are special because they tie together an unusual group of options with big-league horsepower, creating unique cars with unique pedigrees that make collectors swoon. And this GTX really does nail it, complete with an unusual and attractive color combination, 100% matching numbers, original quarters and floors, and a documentation package that includes the original Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet AND the original window sticker. Beauty, brawn, and a pedigree? Where do I sign up?

This is a very nicely optioned GTX as well, including things like the arm rest between the front buckets, a Sure Grip rear end, and power steering and brakes, making it an awesome car to drive as well as to look at. Just see for yourself (and double check the window sticker to confirm all this):

RS23: Plymouth Belvedere, Satellite
Special, GTX
2 Door Hardtop
L9G: 440 cubic inch 375 horsepower 1x4 barrel V8
1969
St. Louis, MO, USA
260143: Sequence number
E86: 440 cubic inch 4-barrel V8 (High Performance) 375 horsepower
D32: Heavy-duty automatic transmission
T5: Bronze Fire Metallic exterior color
P6T: Trim - Premium, vinyl bucket seats, tan
T7: Dark Bronze Metallic Int. door frames
505: Build Date: May 05
465057: Order number

A01: Light Group
B51: Power brakes
C21: Center front seat cushion
C55: Bucket seats
J25: 3-speed wipers
L31: Hood/fender mounted turn signals
M21: Roof drip rail moldings
M33: Body side moldings
N96: Fresh Air hood
R11: Radio solid state AM (2 watts)
V68: Longitudinal stripes, deleted
END: End of sales codes

We have to admit that as great as this car looks in photos, it’s even better in person. Our studio just can’t quite capture the depth and light of the gorgeous Bronze Fire Metallic paint. Yes, that’s what Plymouth was calling it in 1969 and it absolutely glows when you get it out in the sunlight. It was repainted just a few years ago and in the meantime, has earned numerous “Best Paint” awards at shows, so you know it was done right. The foundation of any great paint job is always the bodywork, and on this GTX, all the exterior sheetmetal, including the quarters, doors, and fenders, is original. In fact, having lived most of its life in Texas, this one is remarkably clean throughout with only the trunk extensions being properly replaced during the restoration and it was stripped bare before being rebuilt from the steel on up. Body gaps are excellent, the doors close with a clean precision that’s unexpected from a car like this, and even the hood latches easily without a big slam. We love the clean look of a car without a vinyl top and the GTX’s upscale mission shows up best in the many wonderful stylistic details: blacked-out rockers with racy red pinstripes, the irreplaceable GTX grille and tail section, and cool GTX emblems on the quarter panels. Red grilles on the hood indicate a functional Air Grabber underneath (non-Air Grabber hoods used black or silver grilles) and bright chrome bumpers emphasize that this was a grown-up’s performance car, not a boy racer.

The Saddle bucket seat interior is how this car was originally delivered, right down to the C21 “center front seat cushion” which is often called the “buddy seat.” It’s a neat feature that we have never seen in person before and makes cruising that much more comfortable. Of course, the saddle interior is a wonderful contrast to the brilliant copper paint job and is softer than the more common black upholstery. Correct parts from Legendary mean that it’s right everywhere you look, from the seat covers to the new woodgrained inserts on the door panels to fresh carpets on the floors. Matching tan rubber floor mats add some protection and there’s a full array of gauges in the dash, which are joined by a modern digital tachometer just to keep a closer eye on things under the hood. A factory AM radio is still in the dash, although it’s been upgraded with an FM converter, so you aren’t stuck listening to whatever junk they’re still playing on AM. The interior is so nice that we’re reduced to picking nits, the most notable might be a very minor hairline crack in the bottom of the steering wheel. Seriously, this car is so nice that any flaws you find are commendably minor. In back there’s a full-sized bench seat big enough for three real-sized adults and again, it’s in like-new condition. The trunk is beautifully finished and the textured undercoating on the inside is more proof that this car is wearing its original quarter panels. A fresh mat cleans things up and you’ll be pleased to note that this is the original spare tire which has never been used. Nice, right?

Under that Air Grabber hood, you’ll find the original, numbers-matching 440 cubic inch V8. The bottom end was rebuilt to stock specs with a .030 overbore. Up top, there’s a Comp Cams camshaft that gives it a bit of a hot rod idle but doesn’t get finicky, a set of ProMag 1.5 roller rockers under the valve covers, an electronic distributor, and an 800 CFM Edelbrock carburetor atop a Street Dominator intake manifold. It has all been painted Hemi Orange, of course, so it looks quite correct, although experts will note that’s a fiberglass tray under the air cleaner, which has been modified to fit the taller intake manifold. Don’t worry, all the original parts are included with the car should you wish to take it back on the show field and go 100% stock. Most of the details are exact, including the stampings on the hoses, the hose clamps themselves, a reproduction battery, and even duplicate stickers and tags on the various engine components. Those beautiful ceramic-coated headers are another tipoff that it’s not 100% stock, but again, the original manifolds are included with the car. It’s all beautifully detailed, quite crisply rendered, and it runs superbly with effortless big block torque and no fussiness, even when it’s cold. This is a quality car with a top-flight restoration by guys who know these cars inside and out.

The original TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission was also rebuilt and stuffed behind the 440. It, too, has been upgraded, most notably with a 3000 RPM stall torque converter from Hughes and a manual reverse valve body that makes it fun to drive (reinstalling the original valve body should take an hour and requires only dropping the pan). The undercarriage was undercoated from new, so they applied a light dusting of the stuff to give it an authentic look that would still allow it to be driven regularly. Out back there’s a correct 8.75-inch rear end with 3.23 gears on a Sure Grip, and all the ancillary systems have been rebuilt, including the brakes and power steering. The exhaust system is a high-flow X-pipe joined to a set of DynoMax mufflers, so it has a muscular sound without getting annoying on the highway, perfect for the GTX’s upscale mission. It’s currently fitted with 15-inch Magnum 500 wheels, 7s in front and 8s in back, and staggered 225/70/15 and 275/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials, respectively. And again, in an effort to preserve this car’s authenticity, the original Rally wheels are included with the car and they still wear a set of vintage bias-ply Goodyears.

Documentation is extensive, including the original Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet, original window sticker (showing a final tally of $4058.40), original owner’s manual and warranty booklet, some dealer brochures, and even little details like the service card hanging from the rear-view mirror and a set of genuine Chrysler floor protectors.

This car is beyond impressive. We instantly fell in love with the color but even under close scrutiny, this one measures up in every way that matters. It’s got a bulletproof pedigree, smart modifications that make it fun to drive without hurting originality, and an air of exclusivity that has always been unique to the GTX. For Mopar fans, this is an exciting find and if you’re just getting into the game, perhaps this is the car that convinces you that all those Mopar fans know what they’re talking about. Call today!