1971 Plymouth GTX 426 Hemi

Plymouth’s GTX was introduced as the Plymouth Belvedere GTX in 1967 to be a “Gentleman’s Muscle Car”. The 1971 Plymouth GTX 426 Hemi was among the last precious few muscle cars from that year that was bold, bad, and even beautiful to some. (..like myself)

Once more, the GTX played the upscale sibling to the budget muscle Road Runner model. Both were part of Chrysler’s revamped midsize line-up which included the Dodge Charger. Both received a curvy new fuselage styling on a one inch shorter wheelbase than the prior year. Along with the new body came a 3-inch increase in rear track, which improved it’s handling, and a redesigned interior with a more driver friendly, comfortable driving position.

Though it was completely redesigned for 1971, this was also the final year for the GTX as a “stand alone” model. Buyers could choose the 440 4-barrel V8, the 440 “Six Barrel” (a 3, 2-barrel carb set-up), or the 426 Hemi. The 440 was 370 hp, the 440 Six barrel at 385 hp, but the Hemi remained rated at 425 hp. 4-speed manuals and Torqueflite automatic transmissions were still available, along with the famed “Air Grabber” hood. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen with other great muscle cars of the time, rising insurance rates for muscle cars spelled low sales. There were less than 3,000 units produced for 1971, of which only 30 were 426 Hemi equipped. Scary.

It’s weight was up 170 lbs, and it’s ¼ mile times crept higher by nearly a full second when tested. The 1971 Plymouth GTX also had the stiffest suspension rates of any of the Mopar intermediates, and while its handling was adequate, testers said it wasn’t good enough to justify the rock hard ride it gave. But, underneath that new skin, the GTX could still do under 14 seconds and over 100 mph in the ¼ mile.

As fate would have it, the GTX became a victim to the forces killing hot machinery, so 1971 was its last year as a stand alone model. For 1972 through 1974, the GTX was busted down to an option package for the Road Runner. The more popular Road Runner stayed alive until it too ,met its eventual demise in the 1975 model year, and by that time it was more like a muscle car in memory only. But, at least the GTX died with its big cube boots on…R.I.P.