1968 Plymouth GTX

Plymouth introduced the GTX in 1967 and it was based on a Belvedere with the Sport Satellite trim and known as the Gentleman's Musclecar or the executive express. Its appearance was similar to the Road Runner but with more standard amenities. The base engine was the 440 CID 'Super Commando 440' V8 rated at 375 bhp and 480 lb-ft of torque and backed by a 727 TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The 426 CID Hemi and a heavy-duty suspension system were among the list of optional equipment along with a four-speed manual transmission.

After only one year, it was given a completely new appearance with the rigid design of 1967 giving way to more modern, refined, and flowing lines of the 1968 model. The premium design featured unique styling cues, a new hourglass body, a stellar street-light reputation, and a host of performance driveline parts. The engine design was now denoted on special hood trim, with the letters GTX centered on the grille, lower rocker areas, and unique cast red-trim rear panel. The 440 remained standard as was the TorqueFlite automatic transmission (an additional cost on the Road Runner). Body styles included a two-door hardtop without a B-pillar and a two-door convertible.

The newly introduced Road Runner, in comparison, came standard with the new 383 CID 'Super Commando' V8, and had fewer comfort items and less insulation. The hardtop coupe body style of the Road Runner had a base price of $3,035 while the GTX hardtop coupe was approximately $300 higher. The affordable Road Runner Coupe, priced at $2,870, proved popular with 29,240 examples built. 15,359 were Road Runner hardtop coupes. The GTX was more exclusive, especially the convertible, with 1,026 examples built and 17,914 of the hardtop coupe.

The amenities bestowed upon the GTX were on par with the Belvedere, including woodgrain interior elements, sound-deadening material, and insulation. There were seat belts, a padded visor, two-speed washer and wipers, carpeting, Safety-Rim wheels, energy-absorbing seatbacks and steering column, and safety armrests. The GTX was visually separated from the Belvedere by its special scooped hood, chrome Pit Stop fuel-filler door, rear fascia, grille, and optional racing stripes.

2,052 Chrysler vehicles received the ultimate setup for 1968 - the Chrysler 426 Hemi. Of those, 1,019 were installed in the Road Runner hardtop and coupes with 576 backed by four-speed gearboxes. 446 were placed into the engine bay of the Belvedere GTX hardtops and convertible with 234 of those with the four-speed. A few Barracudas also came with the 425 horsepower Hemi for professional drag racing purposes.

The GTX sold well enough that production continued through the 1971 model year when the B-body was redesigned. Between 1972 and 1974, the Road Runner could be optioned with the 440, earning it the Road Runner GTX name and added badging of both 'Road Runner' and 'GTX.'

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2021