Mopar Muscle – October 2019

FAST FACTS

1969 PLYMOUTH GTX

CAR OWNER: Armando Johnson • Pottstown, PA

ENGINE

TYPE: 440-cid V8

BORE X STROKE: 4.320 (bore) x 3.750 (stroke) inches

BLOCK: original 1969 RB cast-iron big-block

ROTATING ASSEMBLY: Stock forged crank, stock connecting rods,

stock aluminum pistons

CYLINDER HEADS: Stock 1969, 915 cast-iron heads

COMPRESSION: 10.0:1

INDUCTION: Edelbrock manifold with FAST electronic fuel injection,

Edelbrock air cleaner

OILING SYSTEM: Stock oil pan, high-volume oil pump

EXHAUST: TTI headers, 2.5-inch pipes, Magnaflow mufflers

IGNITION: MSD ignition

COOLING: Champion aluminum radiator with Spal fans

MACHINE WORK AND ASSEMBLY BY: The Engine Shop in Collinsdale, PA

DRIVETRAIN

TRANSMISSION: Chrysler A833 four-speed, McLeod clutch, rebuilt by

Ed Hartnett Standard Trans Services in Upper Darby, PA

SHIFTER: Factory Hurst shifter

DRIVESHAFT: Stock Chrysler

REAREND: Factory Dana 60 with 3:73:1 ratio gears and Sure-Grip

CHASSIS

FRONT SUSPENSION: KYB shocks, Hotchkis upper A-arms,

factory torsion bars, factory spindles, Hotchkis sway bar

REAR SUSPENSION: KYB shocks, ATS de-arched springs,

Hotchkis subframe connectors

STEERING: Factory steering

FRONT BRAKES: Wilwood discs with 4-piston calipers and 12-inch

rotors

REAR BRAKES: Wilwood discs with 4-piston calipers and 12-inch

rotors

BODY

SHEETMETAL: Original panels and Auto Metal Direct (AMD) hood,

doorskins, hood, trunk floor, interior floorpan, inner and outer

wheelhouses, rear deck filler, and right fender

PAINT: PPG basecoat/clearcoat black

BODYWORK AND PAINT BY: Bent Metal Customs in Lansdale, PA

INTERIOR

INSTRUMENTATION: Factory

UPHOLSTERY: Original front and rear seats with new springs, cushions,

reupholstered in black and tan leather, carpet, door panels, and

rubber seals from Classic Industries, stock steering column, Grant

steering wheel, American Autowire wiring harnesses

AIR CONDITIONING: Restomod Air

AUDIO: AM/FM Bluetooth retro radio from Antique Automobile Radio

INTERIOR WORK DONE BY: Gillin Auto Interiors in Middletown, NY

WHEELS & TIRES

WHEELS: Foose Nitrous 18x9 (front); Foose Nitrous 20x10 (rear)

TIRES: Falken Azenis II 255/40/18 (front); Falken Azenis II

295/40/20 (rear)

and a rear deck filler. While they were doing the metalwork, the

conversation about installing a wider tire surfaced. Armando recalls, “I

had that discussion with Justin about tubbing it out. He said they could

narrow the rear a bit and add some mini-tubs to accommodate a wider

tire. I remember my uncle telling me, ‘Don’t chop that rear.’ I wanted to

honor that request.” That sentiment was set in stone early on and would

carry on throughout the build. He had given Jimmy his word and was

committed to keeping it.

As the body neared the primer stage, the decision was made to

lay down some PPG Black as the color of choice, which would also

be carried over to the front and rear bumpers. Under the hood, the

numbers-matching 440 was treated to a full rebuild at the Engine Shop

in Collingdale, Pennsylvania. In an effort to make it more user-friendly,

it was kept stock but received a FAST EFI system along with an MSD

ignition. Shifting the car would also revert back to its origins. Armando

ditched the Torqueflite and had Ed Hartnett Standard Trans Services

in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, rebuild an A833 four-speed that he

picked up locally. The Dana rear was also gone over and the 4.10:1

gears swapped with a highway-friendly set of 3.73:1 units. High on the

list of modifications was a switch to discs at all four corners, and that

was accomplished with the addition of Wilwood calipers, rotors, and a

master cylinder, while handling was improved with the installation of

KYB shocks and a Hotchkis Sport Suspension TVS system. Those were

key in enhancing the driving experience, but rolling stock also played an

important role. He wanted a larger, modern wheel, but really liked the

look of the vintage Cragars. After some online searching, he felt that a set

of Foose Nitrous wheels was the ideal compromise. Wrapped in Falken

Azenis rubber, they were the final piece of the handling puzzle.

Part of the plan with improving the overall experience behind the wheel

also meant changes to the original white and blue interior. By the time

Armando took ownership of the GTX, what was still there was trashed.

Since the exterior was black, he decided that the interior was equally due

for a switch. Gillin Auto Interiors in Middletown, New York, was chosen to

do the stitchwork on the interior revival. They took the existing seats and

did a complete rebuild with new springs and cushions, and then wrapped

everything in a black and tan leather combination, while new interior

panels and carpet were sourced from Classic Industries. Bent Metal did

the rehab on the dash assembly and also installed new wiring harnesses

from American Autowire and a Grant steering wheel. The last must-have

items included the addition of an A/C system from Restomod Air.

Like a puzzle that had slowly come together, the GTX was eventually

finished, but he felt short on his goal of having Jimmy drive the car after

its makeover. He explains, “I was trying to beat time, but as things moved

forward and his health deteriorated, I couldn’t make it happen. He was

able to follow the progress through social media and saw the car painted

and the engine in place.” While Jimmy wasn’t able to go for that one ride,

Bernice did, and she was grateful for the lasting memory.

For Armando, the GTX’s completion is the culmination of his acquisi-

tion efforts over the years. It is not a trailer queen and is being used as he

intended it to be: a car that he and his family can enjoy. There are a few

future upgrades that he plans on doing, but they all respect Jimmy’s wish

not to hack things up.

FAMILY HEIRLOOM

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