1971 Plymouth GTX Barnfind Original Paint

Description

This is a real nice 1971 Plymouth GTX barnfind. It cannot be classified as a survivor because its original motor and transmissionare not in the car. But it is a 90%+ original paint car and still very complete and original. It currently has a 1972 440 HP motor in it and a 1973 727 torqueflite. The rear end is still the original 489 case 8 3/4 3.23 open gear axle. It is a 2 tag car and I found the original broadcast sheet under the original carpeting, it is completely legible. No extra stripes or spoilers, but it did come with power steering, power disc brakes, A/C, light package, console, noise reduction package, 15 inch rallyes, vinyl top, am radio, rear speaker, 3 speed wiper, all tinted glass, and all the standard GTX molding packages, wheel moldings, rocker moldings, door sill moldings, and drip rail moldings. The car came from northwest corner of North Dakota, and was off the road for quite some time. The last date on plate was 1995. It was in a building with 6 other cars that were being stored and then the whole lot was sold at once. The new owner wanted 2 specific cars and sold the rest off. He was only interested in e-bodies which is what I traded him to get the 71 gtx. When I got it the transmission was slipping and the right front fender had damage on the side over the wheel well. I assume the trans is why the car was parked and not driven for the long period of time. I pulled the transmission and had it re-built by a certified trained trans rebuilder, according to factory specs, no shift kits or reverse valve body junk. The fender was damaged to bad around those body lines so I found a rust free beautiful expensiveCalifornia fender(not easy finding a 71 2-door fender). I replaced the damaged fender and had ajourneyman body shop painter match the paint as close as possible to the rest of car. That is the ONLY piece on the car that is not original paint.

The car also came without the vinyl top, too avoid trapping any water or moisture. It's a good thing because the roof was in excellent shape with no rust around thewindow channels. I had a very reputable upholstery shop put on a new Legendary vinyl top, and it turned out excellent, looks totally factory. I got a good deal on the Legendary Bucket seat covers at a show and had those replaced also. they match the rest of the all original interior. Original back seat, door panels(no tears or holes), original carpeting, dash, steering wheel. Yes, the dash pad has cracks. No cracks in steering wheel or gauge cluster. All windows roll down properly. All glass original date coded pieces, including windshield with no cracks. All seat belts original date coded and in very good condition. All gauges work, except afterI dropped the steering column to repair leak on steering gear box the oil pressure gauge pegs to high when I turn the key on, so a wire for that gauge is grounded somewhere. All the lights for the light package work except the ashtray light. No cracks in console. All foam pads for seats very good, used the originals on buckets. No drying, shrinking, or mouse damage or smell in seats. All original interior except 2 small toggle switches under dash frame, one works an electric antenna, don't know what the other does. When I was looking for the broadcast sheet, I had the seats out and the floors are in excellent condition. The heater and defrost work.

The trunk floor is also in excellent original condition, some paint has peeled or chipped away from spare tire area and a little surface rust but that is it. No rust in trunk drip rail and no rust under trunk lip. This deck lid has the rear spoilerbracket mounting structure. original jack and correct numbered jack hook. Trunk light works.

Engine compartment isin original condition and all a/c components present. Engine currently has a Holley on it but I was able to obtain the correct 71 b-body 440hp auto carter avs in excellent rebuildable condition. Still has its original 3443959 radiator. Engine has headers and the original hp manifolds are missing. The passenger header does rest on torsion bar in drive and needs to be replaced or bent. That is the first thing I would discard if keeping the car, but I'm not going put a whole new exhaust system onbefore selling car. The engine starts on the first fewturns and idles nice and accelerates smoothly. By no means is this a fresh or rebuilt motor. There is a little lifter tick but does not smoke or miss. Previous owner stated that the motor has six pack rods in it. I CANNOT verify this other than it does have the six pack vibration damper on it. The engine runs cool(low 190's), charging system works, power steering doesn't squeal. I replaced the worm gear seal on gear box to fix abad leak.

All window trim, vinyl top trim, door sill trim, and drip rail trim in excellent condition with no dings. I had to take all those pieces off to have the vinyl top put on, and I put a nice polish on all those pieces before re-installing them. Few dings in the wheel moldings but they still look very presentable for originals. No missing vane in upper or lower grille. I have the large l shaped front license plate holder as a separate piece that goes with car. Front lower valance is dented up, but no rust.

Only rust on car is the lower corners of the quarter panels and one small hole in pass. door(see pics). No need for replacing lower half quarters, some patch corners should work. The door hole should be an easy repair, door inside edges and all jambs excellent. Does not need trunk extensions, does not need any floor work or inner fender work. This car is not a rust bucket. The undercarriage is all original with factory undercoating. NO spray can undercoating or paint is anywhere on the undercarriage, all original and solid. Torsion bar area and rear spring area super solid.

Unfortunately the 15 inch rallyes were not on the car. The wheels on thecar are 14 inch correct 71 style rallye wheels with brand new radial tires. Any set of any 15" wheels with some meaty tires would really change the look of the car with those large wheel wells.

There is no rust at the rear panel behind the rear window. Rear lower valance has no rust. That is the standard rear valance, build sheet did not call for chrome exhaust trumpets.

The pics make the overall paint finish look a lot better than it is, remember this car and paint is 46 years old. This car was used and driven, it has its share of nicks, dings, scratches, and obviously has been buffed out several times. It is a real nice solid original car that can be worked on by someone with some basic knowledge of bodywork and mechanical capabilities.The brakes, suspension, and most other componenets should allbe inspected and repaired or replaced as needed from age or use. It is a true GTX, 1 of 2,942 built that year. It can be left as a barn find and most people like to look at original cars more that the big dollar restos anymore. It does have its original body tags and build sheet. I just have another project right now and one has to go. I've tried to cover most things that I would want to know buying a car on-line. Ask all questions before bidding. If you want specific pics of itemsor areas, make a request.An inspection of car is highly recommended. I am retired and pretty much available any day. Do notask me what I'll take for the car or what the reserve is. If you come out to look at car and want to make an offer, that is fine. No paypal or personal checks. Cash or cashiers check. I have a clear title for car. I live just 5 miles off an interstate and on a major laned blacktop, no issues with sending a semi car transport. I've had them pull into my driveway and pick up cars without a problem.