1971 Plymouth GTX Hardtop Coupe

In 1971, the writing was on the wall for the American Muscle Car as we knew it. With increasingly high fuel prices and government regulations regarding emissions and insurance, the availability of massively overpowered automobiles, aka 'Muscle Cars' was quickly diminishing.

Dodge and Plymouth however, were among the last hold-outs. The B-Body Plymouth Roadrunners and GTX's would benefit from a complete redesign to the all-new fuselage styling that would mark the end of an era. Of course, being the final year for the famed 426 Hemi and the higher compression 440 engine offerings, any 1971 GTX is a rare sight.

This GTX is among the rarest of the breed. With a long list of factory options, this wild Sassy Grass Green example is powered by a 370 horsepower 440 4-barrel engine backed by a pistol-grip shifted 4-speed manual transmission. What really makes it rare is the factory installed sunroof. A mere 32 GTX's left the factory with this option, which listed for a lofty $484.65.

Found in a Des Moines, Iowa salvage yard in 1993, it was largely intact, minus the engine. Although in rough shape with severely faded paint, it suffered from only minor rust in the lower quarter panels. The current owner, a huge fan of this particular body style, knew it deserved to be returned to its former glory. An extensive full restoration was undertaken in 2009 and after several years, it emerged as a prime example of an era gone by.