Car Owner: Steve McGeary By Bill Thorpe
The Plymouth GTX was an exceptional car that combined performance with a sense of style. It had a special grille, a rear fascia and an optional Fiberglas hood with a large air scoop. Heavy-duty suspension packages were standard, as was the 440-cubic-inch (7.2 liter) V-8, known as the Super Commando 440.
The 1969 edition is rated at 375 horsepower with a four-barrel carburetor and a three-speed 727 torque-flight automatic transmission. It was set up with a Dana 3:54 sure grip rear end.
Introduced in 1967, the Plymouth GTX was curvier by 1969 and its position as a luxury hot rod was only strengthened with the introduction of the more affordable Road Runner models.
First sold to the public in 1968, the Road Runners were responsible for the plummeting sales of GTXes. The Road Runners sold for about $2,850, versus the loaded GTX for $3,500. However, the Super Commando engines in GTXes were capable of turning 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, with quarter-mile times of 14.6 seconds and top speeds of 121 mph.
Sales continued to drop significantly during 1969, and the car was out of production by the end of 1971. The GTX would be hard for collectors to find in the years ahead.
In 2014, Steve McGeary found this car for sale in Ohio, and it had been 90 percent restored. He purchased it even though the interior, dashboard and gauges were in disarray. Steve enlisted the help of his good friend Kelly Bennett, and they installed all the correct pieces by the summer of 2015.
Steve’s proudest moment was winning Best of Show at the Bargersville show last summer. He was further encouraged by winning a People’s Choice Award. He can be found hanging out at the Suds in Greenwood and The Southsider Voice’s cruise-ins.
We’ll be looking forward to seeing you, Steve.
Until then, happy cruising!
The Plymouth GTX was an exceptional car that combined performance with a sense of style. It had a special grille, a rear fascia and an optional Fiberglas hood with a large air scoop. Heavy-duty suspension packages were standard, as was the 440-cubic-inch (7.2 liter) V-8, known as the Super Commando 440.
The 1969 edition is rated at 375 horsepower with a four-barrel carburetor and a three-speed 727 torque-flight automatic transmission. It was set up with a Dana 3:54 sure grip rear end.
Introduced in 1967, the Plymouth GTX was curvier by 1969 and its position as a luxury hot rod was only strengthened with the introduction of the more affordable Road Runner models.
First sold to the public in 1968, the Road Runners were responsible for the plummeting sales of GTXes. The Road Runners sold for about $2,850, versus the loaded GTX for $3,500. However, the Super Commando engines in GTXes were capable of turning 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds, with quarter-mile times of 14.6 seconds and top speeds of 121 mph.
Sales continued to drop significantly during 1969, and the car was out of production by the end of 1971. The GTX would be hard for collectors to find in the years ahead.
In 2014, Steve McGeary found this car for sale in Ohio, and it had been 90 percent restored. He purchased it even though the interior, dashboard and gauges were in disarray. Steve enlisted the help of his good friend Kelly Bennett, and they installed all the correct pieces by the summer of 2015.
Steve’s proudest moment was winning Best of Show at the Bargersville show last summer. He was further encouraged by winning a People’s Choice Award. He can be found hanging out at the Suds in Greenwood and The Southsider Voice’s cruise-ins.
We’ll be looking forward to seeing you, Steve.
Until then, happy cruising!
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