By Dean Larson

Photos: Seller, BringaTrailer.com

“This one almost says ‘I don’t want to go back. I’ve been through it just like you and survived. Let’s keep going.’” — Commented by BaT user BodyByFisher 199

It’s a miracle that cars like this 1967 Plymouth GTX 426 Hemi four-speed exist. They’ve withstood the test of nature and man, both of which have left their marks in the form of sun-baked paint, dented quarter-panels, thick bondo repairs and hidden corrosion. So according to Hagerty’s strict condition index, this car is flawed in many ways when compared to a nut-and-bolt restored example. But I argue that the numerous imperfections exhibited here actually make for perfection of a different sort; an exterior that wears it scars proudly, and tells tales of drunken Saturday nights, triple-digit speeds on unending blacktop straights and shutting down every stoplight challenger who dared test its mettle. Exuding character and still kicking, this Hemi Plymouth GTX on BringaTrailer.com begs to be enjoyed as is.

We’ll spare you the history lesson today, but suffice it to say that a Hemi-powered Plymouth GTX is a pretty special car. Just 312 Hemi GTX four-speeds were built in 1967 according to its owner, and this car is a very unique black on black with a black vinyl top and copper accents.

The Plymouth GTX was billed as a gentleman’s muscle car, something like the Mercury Cougar or Hurst Olds, but the installation of the 425 hp 426 ci Hemi seems to always lend itself to ungentlemanly behavior. To put it plainly, these cars were absolutely flogged, and if you’re lucky enough to find one in unrestored condition, it’s bound to be covered in bumps and bruises, along with questionable sheetmetal repairs from back in the day. It’s also all too common to find that the original Hemi engine is long departed, victim to hard driving or high-rpm abuse, and many were replaced with factory replacement blocks early on.

Today, this Hemi GTX is presented in a unique state, where its cosmetic flaws are clearly evident, but it remains a strong runner, just as capable of tearing up the streets now as when it was new. It’s mechanically sound, and besides needing a small patch on the torsion bar crossmember, its surprisingly good for a car that’s done some sitting around. It’s evident that some work was done since it was recovered in a large Colorado collection, as some fresh hardware and parts can be seen throughout, and the engine bay is extremely clean — can’t blame the seller for getting the presentation right though.

At the end of the day, there are well-preserved cars, restored cars and true survivors, with the latter implying that the car has seen some things and lived to tell about it. For a Hemi car with some character, this is about as good as it gets.

See the Hemi GTX here on BringaTrailer.com.