1968 Plymouth GTX 440 4-speed Dana $2,500.00 ...... Numbered project car w/fender tag

A few months ago I really wanted a 'good numbered' B-body to work on and this is what I found. It is in fairly good condition compared to what I have seen sell lately, but obviously still needs to be restored. It is a 1968 Plymouth GTX 440 4-speed. It has a clear title, the dash VIN tag (RS23L9G266XXX), and even the original fender tag is in great condition. It matches the number on the radiator support also. It is an original medium blue metallic paint with white GTX stripes and it also has the performance hood treatment (blacked out hood scoop) and it is a blue interior car without a vynil top. It is an original 440 HP, course 18-spline HD 4-speed transmission, posi Dana 60 rear car (3.54:1 gears) vehicle. The original drivetrain is gone and there is a Mopar 8-3/4 rear under the car. Being a GTX it originally had the woodgrain Sport Satellite interior with bucket seats and a console. I have the buckets and a 1969-70 automatic console with the wood grain insert are included as well. In the photo the automatic top plate is missing but it is included. The dash is missing the gauge cluster but has the correct woodgrain paneling elsewhere. It will also come with the correct Hurst console shifter handle. There is also the chrome exhaust tips, 440 call outs for the hood, GTX emblem, and floor shift steering column. I also have some extra doors and windshields that go with the car as well. The original 4-speed pedals are still hanging in the car and the 4-speed hump is mint and intact. There are some door panels but they are pretty rough. There is misc. seat belts, lots of chrome/trim, headlights, fender mount turn indicators, side markers, wiring, ...
It has a brand new trunk floor installed and the rest of the floors look good. The drivers side by the gas pedal is getting thin. To make the car really nice it will need rear outer wheel housings, quarter panels, and some work around the windows. The front passenger side frame rail should be patched or capped. The rest are solid.
I found/purchased my dream car (1969-1/2 Dodge Super Bee A12 M-code 440 six pack 4-speed) and am starting to realize that even though I want to I can't afford to save every mopar I find. This could be a very beautiful car if put back together.

The Magnum 500 wheels are not included. It will have (4) black steel wheels with tires that hold air.

I am in no rush to sell the car, however it will be a long time before I could get to it so I figured maybe someone else would like a high performance Mopar to build.

daniel_depetro@yahoo.com
daniel_depetro @yahoo.com (without the space before the @)
(906) 273-0256

$2,500.00

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8218/dsc00891tb5.jpg

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http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/4992/1968plymouthgtxfendertaqz1.jpg

R = Plymouth
S = (price class) Special (GTX)
23 = (body code) 2-door hardtop

83 = (engine code) High Performance 440 cubic inch Plymouth 'Super Commando' big block wedge engine (375 horsepower & 480 lbs./ft. of torque)

3 = (transmission code) 4-speed heavy duty manual transmission

44 = (tire code) F 70 x 14-inch red stripe 2-4 ply tires (steel belt)

620 = (scheduled production date) June 20th, 1968

349408 = shipping order

1-9 = Wide sill mouldings

2-5 = Drip rail mouldings

7-8 = Wheel lip mouldings

68 = AX (rear axle & sure-grip code) Dana 60 rear end with 3.54:1 gears and sure grip (posi) differential

S6B = TRM (interior code) (sport interior, vinyl bucket seats, blue)

QQ1 = PNT (roof & body paint code) bright blue metallic/bright blue metallic monotone paint

U 3 = UBS (upper door paint, buffed paint, stripes/accent) light blue, xxxx, white horizontal sport stripes

A1 = 26-inch radiator

R1 = Music Master 2-watt AM radio

X2 = Tinted windshield only

Z8 = (special paint) performance hood treatment

a6 = Console

b4 = Bucket seats

h7 = Fender mounted turn signals

u1 = Sold car when built (someone ordered this specific car)

I am absolutely surprised that this car hasn't sold yet. I guess the economy is really in bad shape if nobody is spending money on excellent cars like this. Good luck!!

No, people are spending money. I've sold one for big money this year, and have bought two. I seriously considered this car first. but I think what is hurting it (did for me anyway) is the logistics of moving a car in pieces.

I wanted it. I just couldn't figure out how to move it without more than doubling the cost.

I could get it down there cheaper then $2,500.00!
I can haul the car as well.

The car is in pieces, However it is all tucked neatly inside so it is no different the hauling a regular car without a drivetrain to me. It's nice and lightweight even so three guys can push it on the trailer without a winch.

I am VERY surprised this car is still F/S!

i've had only really 4 very interested people in the car so far. One guy is probably going to take it. I'll let everyone know if/when it sells. Until then LETS MAKE A DEAL!...lol

I am glad I do own any money on anything am am swimming in debt like the rest of america apparently is.

No, people are spending money. I've sold one for big money this year

I believe that I may have a keen insight into this statement...was it a B5 colored A12 with NO TIRES...???!!! Some people will buy anything...:rolling:

Ray

oh, but this car hasn´t any Dana 60 mounted! :-(

I believe that I may have a keen insight into this statement...was it a B5 colored A12 with NO TIRES...???!!! Some people will buy anything...:rolling:

Ray

I have NO idea what you're talking about:edgy:

:rolling:

I could get it down there cheaper then $2,500.00!
I can haul the car as well.

The car is in pieces, However it is all tucked neatly inside so it is no different the hauling a regular car without a drivetrain to me. It's nice and lightweight even so three guys can push it on the trailer without a winch.

I am VERY surprised this car is still F/S!

i've had only really 4 very interested people in the car so far. One guy is probably going to take it. I'll let everyone know if/when it sells. Until then LETS MAKE A DEAL!...lol

I am glad I do own any money on anything am am swimming in debt like the rest of america apparently is.

Dan, I can't believe this thing is still for sale. Everytime I see it, I think how can I swing this one, only to be followed up by yet another big bite out of the ol' reality sandwich. I hope it goes to a good home.

Hahaha...Yeah I unserstand all about that sour sandwhich you speak of.

I had one very interested buyer. We talked for an hour or so and he seemed very satisfied with the transaction. His buddy had the exact same GTX (, color combos). He sent me a Paypal deposit put a deposit down on it only to call back the next day and ask if it could be refunded because he thought it would be a little weird having two identical cars...I told him to paint it a different color. Thay do not all have to be original.

I will list it on eBay this weekend.if it doesn't sell on there, I'll have to part it out.
I don't really want to get rid of it, especially this cheap, however I really need to get a small building up to store my other cars/parts. All these cars & parts I have and I do not even have a garage for them.

Wow. I didn't think this car would be hard to sell at this price!
I've never had to work so hard for so little!


http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/487/1968plymouthgtxtitlebloqj7.jpg

my god, someone please buy this car!
this is a steal!

Well I am tired of looking at this pig.

I guess I am just going to have to part it out. :confused:

Anyone interested in any of the parts?

Don't part it just yet let me make a few calls.

Dan, what other sites have you posted this on?

Here, Moparts, and been listed on eBay twice without a bid.

I wish i knew where you were when I was up to Au Train this past summer (vaction). I would of made looked U up . Shoot I was there with the Family biking the bike trail.
Plan on going back next summer(vaction)

Yeah, I am always up for meeting new mopar people.

Next time your around say hello.

How's the snow and how much so far

Snow = :cold:, :snow plow:, & :yuk:

That is a pretty good deal...

I've been flirting with a 68 Dodge....just a few hundred is the main issue, but my worrries revolve around the fender tag not matching and the car having humble origins as a /6 car. Guy had it on ebay and couldn't get half of what he bought it for a year or so ago...

I'd hate to break something #s matching up, but I think you said the car has a 69-70 center console...Is it in good shape? Is the top plate (goes around the shifter) in tact? You might PM me prices on that and the 8 3/4 if you have to start dismantling things...

Again, I can't bring myself to get parts of a #s matching car, but for the few parts you've got that I'm interested in and would prob go first I think I could still sleep at night.

Good luck with the sale...Hope someone can get it!

I'll keep that in mind.

I've had a very attractive off for the seats and console already if I get to parting it out. If he doesn't take them your next in line.

Nice, not sure I can match an attractive offer though, lol

I have a hard time understanding why this car has not already sold. Looks like a great project Daniel. Good luck on the sale! Happy holidays!

Are you interested in trading for an 06 5.7 HEMI with 0 Miles, trans and computer?

hmmm...possibly

E-mailed you about the engine

The car sold for the full asking price and I am storing it for the new owner until early spring. It is eventually going to Pittsburgh, PA.

Congratulations on the sale!

I couldn't believe that it took that long to sell and I didn't really have any serious buyers at any time. Anyone that asked my "bottom dollar" I offered it for $2,000.00 and still nobody bought it. :eek:
I even offered to tow it to prospective owners for the price of my fuel/food/lodging which are all pretty cheap (cheaper then they would spend coming to get it) with no luck.

The good new is that the new owner is excited and already owns a 1968 'Cuda Formula S 383 4-speed with the same blue on blue color combo.
He can't come and get it until early spring so I told him as long as it is paid off two weeks before he wants to pick it up I was fine with him sending me payments in the mail. Of course nothing moves and the title doesn't get signed until it is paid for completely.

I just can't believe all the hoops I had to jump through to sell this GTX.

Congrats on selling it. Would loved to have had it myself, but things just didn't work out. The new owner should be very happy!

I know what you mean.

I wish I could afford to build the GTX and my A12 Bee. Oh well, I still have a fleet of nice A-bodies and late models to deal with also.

I lost my job in late Novemberso hopefully I can get a couple minor projects out of the way and get on to the better stuff.

I lost my job in late Novemberso hopefully I can get a couple minor projects out of the way and get on to the better stuff.


Are you selling any of your other cars? If so give some details.:grin:

:santa:

The only other car I am selling right now is this 1972 Dodge Charger SE (http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?t=1371) <---- Click there for all the details.


My Mopars were bought and paid for many years ago with extra cash. I maybe jobless, however everything I own is paid for so I don't have any monthly bills.
I just want to be clear that I am not selling any of the cars in my signature.
If I happen to pick up some better numbered (big block, 4-speed, GTS, R/T, ...) A, B, or E-bodies from now on I am going to slowly start getting rid of the newer A-bodies, slant 6, and 318 powered cars.


I also wouldn't mind selling a couple Darts I have.

The best one of the three I would sell is the 1972. It runs/drives great and is pretty solid. The quarters are bubbling, but other than that it's a great car. An original yellow car as well, however there is no buildsheet/fender tag to prove it. It is currently in poo-brown primer. Not a perfect car, but priced accordingly. Carb needs rebuild, but the front end has 4 new premium MOOG ball joints and such.
~$2,000.00

I also have a pretty solid 1971 Dart that could use lower quarters on both sides. It has the all the body stamping numbers, dash VIN tag & matching fender tag. I do not have a title for it. I just haven't spent the $150.00 to get one. A great parts car or builder. I am toying with the idea of turning it into a supercharged big block drag car that will see mostly street duty.
~$650.00

The third is a 1970. It too has all the correct body stampings dash VIN tag, & matching fender tag. However it doesn't have a title either. Very nice front fenders. I beleive it has a nice trunk lid & one of the doors was very nice as well. The other door had a quarter size hole in it down low. This one is a parts car. pretty rough under the rear of the car.
~$300.00

Do any trading??

Yes I do.

I just read that the car sold...was wondering about doing some trading for the gtx but looks like I am too late.

A guy put a $200.00 deposit on the GTX, however I haven't heard from him since. I told him as long as it is paid for when he picks it up in April I am cool with just a small deposit. However if I do not hear from him in early April the car will be back up for sale.

PM sent...........:yes:

Is it still avaliable???.

Please re-read the post at the top of this page (two posts above yours).

April is coming soon, so I'm not sure if the guy is serious or just decided to suck up the loss of his deposit. :edgy:

Got it, I wasn't looking closely enough on that, blinded by the desire for the Plymouth...

:rolling:


I know how it is. I just figured instead of retyping it, I'd just have you read the page again.

I'll let you guys know if he shows up in the next month or not...

I haven't heard from the "buyer".

I wrote him an e-mail about two weeks ago saying he was already past the initial pick-up date, but I would give him until the end of April to get it out of here.
Being that it is only a week away and I still haven't heard from the guy I can only assume he is not coming to get it.

I am listing the car as "For Sale" again (however I will not "sell" it until after April 30th 11:59:59pm).

EBAY thats agood joke:no::no::no::rolling:

I like eBay.

It's the only place I've been able to sell cars or parts over the years.
Too bad they charge so much (especially when combined with Paypal payments) to sell there now.

The buyer that backed out was from one of these Mopar forums, not eBay.

If I don't get much interest on the forums it'll go back on eBay.
Either way hopefully it attracts a buyer.

I hate seeing it just sit around, however I am not going to take a loss on it ether.

im sure you could sell it on here there seems to be alot of interest

Lots of interest, however no cash (as of yet anyways).
Cash > Interest. :rolling:

I have another potential buyer in negotiations so to speak, so hopefully that goes well.
He is a fellow FBBO member (posted in this thread even), and is a great guy talk with!

I'd rather sell it to someone on the Mopar forums, then some stranger on eBay.

I'll advertise it on the forums for a bit before I list it there.

I figured now would be the time to sell seeing how it's spring and people have their income tax returns? :edgy:

You know I'm watching don't you?

Silly, you're the Top Secret Agent I was talking about. :yes:

Now your cover is blown though.

It sure was nice of that other guy to put the deposit on it for me!.

Ha, ha, ha!

Actually I e-mailed him again (and sent him a PM on a certain forum) and he just replied saying he just lost his job and there is no way he can afford to pay for the car and get it to PA.
Being the nice guy that I am I said if he gets back on his feet quickly and I still have the car I'd be willing to continue with our deal provided he came and picked it up within a couple weeks after he sent another deposit (but I would still give him credit for his original deposit).

He was polite and nice throughout the deal so I have no reason to be a jerk to him. At least he was man enough to own up to the fact he couldn't complete the transaction.



So the car is officially back on the market!
.

I have the correct date code Dana for your car if that helps someone put it all together.

How much?

A couple more photos I took today (5-14-09):

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1850.00 on the Dana 60. It's a correct 68 Date Code with 3.54 gears and power lock.

That's more then I'd be willing to pay, however for the potential buyers: now you know where a correct date coded Dana 60 with the correct gears & limited slip differential can be had.

I could take a little less on the Dana maybe. If anyone is seriously interested in it make me a reasonable offer.

Even better!

UPDATE: I have a rear window that goes with the car! The car has all the glass (and is in good shape).

Ther car also appears to have 11" drum brakes all the way around.

Here are a few more photos I took this morning:

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/4970/rightsideouterwheelhous.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/3613/rightsidewheelhousingii.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7694/rightsidewheelhousing.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/8007/rightsidespringhangerar.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2415/rightsidespringhangerre.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/2884/rightsideframeraillooki.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/6641/leftsideouterwheelhousi.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/1254/leftsidewheelhousing.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2863/dsc02251.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/4477/leftsidespringhangerare.jpg

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1982/leftsidespringhangerrea.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7014/leftsideframeraillookin.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7293/project4.jpg

No on eBay starting at $1,800.00 with no reserve!!!!!

eBay link to 1968 Plymouth GTX 4-speed (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m37.l1313% 26satitle%3D150348579807%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=150348579807&viewitem=)

Dan, once again, good luck with the auction. This GTX could once again be a great car.

Thanks!

I can't believe this car has been so difficult to sell. :edgy:

I can't believe it as well!, what a great car and still nobody has bid on it!. Parting it would be a shame but you could make some decent money with it. I'm doing my best to make sure I tell people about the car in hopes that it finds a new home.

Thanks!

holy smokes.......its still for sale?

Looks like $2950 on ebay

Still for sale. :mad:

eBay buyer backed out.

damn

Yep.

I may know someone who would be interested, I will call them today

Please do!

Well did it sell on ebay? or not ?

he said the "buyer" backed out. so the answer would be no

It did not.

Sorry to hear that Dan. Don't know if your wanting to but you can try 2nd chance offer to your next highest bidder if he's bid high enough? Damn E-Bayers.

Daniel, Sorry to hear the deal fell through. There must be some sort of curse on that car.
She must really like you Arnie Cunningham!.
I would also try offering it to the next highest bidder.
The annual "CEMA" car show is at the WPC Museum this weekend, I''l see if I can drum up some interest there.
I'll touch base with you later this week.
Matt

That car isn't cursed anything like the car I just picked up, UGH!
I had an extremely long weekend!



Sorry I have been so light on the details but I finally got some sleep last night so here is the entire story.

This past Thursday evening I had two auctions that ended. One was for the GTX and the other was for my 1996 Honda CBR 600 F3 sport bike.

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/3576/dsc02174x.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3803/project1f.jpg

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/7996/project2.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8999/dsc02176u.jpg


I had worked out a deal on another Mopar but the seller said I needed to pick it up the following day by 4:00pm central time because he works from 4:00pm until wee hours of the morning and he had another guy coming to pick it up around noon. I live in eastern time zone so I gain an hour going down that way to pick it up so that will help a little. I figure I will have to leave around 4:00am to make it there “in time”. I found an air compressor on craigslist about a week ago down in Racine, WI area that bought and the guy was leaving it sit until I could pick it up. I called him and said I would be down Friday afternoon (on my way back home) to pick it up.
If I picked up the air compressor Friday afternoon I could head over to LaCrosse, WI and visit my brother and go to the Coulee Region Mopars ‘all Mopar car show’ on Saturday and attend his daughters’ high school graduation party on Sunday and come home on Monday. Wow all the stars were aligning up for a change. The car show was from 8:00am-4:00pm so if I made it there around 11:00am it would give me enough time to walk the car show, scout the swap meet, and talk to some people there.

Both of my auctions ended and I did pretty well on the GTX so I was happy to finally find a buyer who was willing to pay what I was asking for it (more in this case) and more importantly was going to actually restore it.
The buyer (Mark) lived in Wausau, WI (~5 hours from here) and I told him to contact me a.s.a.p. that evening because I could deliver it and all the extra parts for $250.00 the very next morning since I was heading south already and it would only put me about 4 hours off my original course. Mark called me and agreed (we talked for 2 hours!) and it was now around 10:00pm eastern time. Everything had fallen into place suddenly, but it was working out awesome! Although this means I probably would be cutting it close for the car show on Saturday (or would at least require another 5:00am wake-up call depending on how far I made it Friday evening).
I loaded up the GTX, all the extra B-body parts I could find, a 4-speed transmission that the buyer wanted (and was paying extra for), the ramps for the trailer, and I had to remove my tonneau cover from my truck to fit the extra roof in the bed. By the time I was ready to roll it was 2:00am Friday morning.
I got my 2 hours of shut eye, woke up Dayton (my 6 year old son) ate a quick breakfast and we were on the road at 5:00am eastern time. About 20 minutes into the trip Dayton looks at me strange and his cheeks were bulged out like a squirrel. He had a sore throat so I gave him a cough drop when we left home, however instead of swallowing the saliva and drop juice he let it build up until it started “leaking” out he coughed or something and it went all over him. No biggie. We pulled over got a new shirt, he finished spitting the rest out, washed his face at the fuel station, and headed on our way again with a lesson learned.
We made pretty good time on the way to Wausau considering it is 2 lane roads the entire way down. We arrived at the delivery point (his mothers’ house) around 9:30am central time. He was still about 30 minutes away so I start unloading everything. I just finished unloading it when he shows up (go figure). He checks the car over well and likes what he sees except for there is some poor welding on rear frame rails that I never noticed because it is tucked up above where the rear axle is. Apparently when the previous owners put the “back end” on the car they put the entire rear clip on it! He seemed overly concerned about it and I explained to him that I honestly had no idea it was like that and he understood. Because this information was not disclosed in the auction I said I would not hold him accountable for his bid if he wanted to pass on the car. I already had another buyer lined up so I wasn’t concerned with a technically like who was going to pay for the car so long as I got the money for it. The other bidder called after the auction ended and told me he that he kept bidding but when he bid his final time the auction had already ended. He stated he would buy the car a.s.a.p. if the high bidder backs out or gives me any grief about it. I could tell he wasn’t going to take the car so I started loading it back up. He asked if I’d give him a better deal on the car so I wouldn’t have to drag it back home. I said I’m open to offers, and he offered $1,500.00. I wasn’t going to give it away so I finished loading it up and had to back track all the way home! Of course this puts me about 13 hours behind schedule (~11 hours drive time and ~2 hours loading/B.S.’ing time).
I returned home around 5:00pm eastern time Friday afternoon and dropped the GTX off at my dads shop as well as unloaded the extra doors & roof that were in the truck bed. I drive home (it’s on the way out of town) and my son and I stopped home for about 15 minutes to eat. While there I called the guy with the car and the guy with the air compressor and explain my misfortunes and make sure both will be available/around the next day (Saturday). We eat and refill the water bottles and are off again. I take the first left corner about 100 feet from my driveway and I notice my trailer tire wobbling all around. I pull over immediately hop out and notice my wheel is complete black (suppose to be white). I grab the tire and it’s still hard (uh, oh!) and I look at the spindle and the outer cone bearing is sitting on the end of the spindle. How I didn’t lose then entire wheel & hub assembly I will never know. SON OF A B*TCH!!!! I go around the block and back the trailer into my driveway, unhook it, and hook up to my new trailer (thankfully I have two trailers). The problem is I have my Super Bee on it and nowhere to put the Bee. I drive out to my parents’ house and drop the Bee off there and finally start heading down to Indiana at around 6:30pm eastern time.
The trip down is going uneventful (I am now really starting to appreciate when things are uneventful!), however I am getting tired and it’s now 9:30 central time. My son loves to swim at the motels so I usually get a room in the late evenings so he can swim before they close the pool. Not too mention I need to be in Valparaiso, IN loaded and leaving by 12:00pm (noon) central time so it’s going to be an early wake-up call. We stayed in Manitowoc, WI. It’s early Saturday morning and the Motel has a free hot breakfast bar, but it doesn’t start until 7:00am central time so we showered and packed everything up and loaded the truck prior to breakfast. Then we took advantage of the Golden Malted waffle maker and other goodies they had. We got back on the road at 8:00am central time.

(continued in next post...)

...I pulled into Bills driveway (where the car I was buying is) around 11:00am central time and we started loading it up right away. It’s only been about 15 (maybe 30?) minutes, however I got it all strapped down already and the other potential buyer pulls in (thankfully I beat him there; enter bid dramatic scene with a few curse being exchanged). The other buyer threatens with a lawsuit, gets his $300.00 deposit refunded and leaves. I load up the forged crank, a set of heads, an extra pair of doors, and then we head out around 1:00pm central time. I drive the 6 miles of 45 mph country/farm roads and make my way back onto a divided highway. About a half mile down the road there was a traffic signal that was red when I got to it so I stopped. The light turned green and I went to go and the truck just groaned and jerked a few times, and then nothing. The engine was running and would rev, however the transmission was just flaring up. I barely got the now loaded truck & trailer through the intersection and onto the shoulder of the highway. Nothing, the transmission was junk. More nothing. Hmmmm…now what? I let it sit for a bit and I could start it and move it about 100 feet and then the filter would plug up (transmission acts like it’s in neutral). I would let it sit for 10 minutes and drive it another 100 feet. I did that for about am mile and over a big hill, which shortened my distance considerably. GRRRR!!! A few curse words & panic thoughts go through my mind as we are now in north Merrillville/Gary, Indiana. For those not in the know, it’s not the nicest neighborhood with some of the highest major crime rates in the U.S. I get to another intersection and do not know what to do. It will take me about 30 minutes to cross it (if the transmission doesn’t grenade completely before then) and there is nothing on the other side of it. I am just looking for a parking lot to leave it sit and go get a motel to figure things out. Finally a younger guy (Mopar guy of course) pulled up with a standard cab Ford Ranger 5-speed 2wd and a tow rope and towed me through the intersection and across the divided highway into a truck stop/fuel station. It’s now around 3:30pm eastern time and I tell the truck stop manager my situation and I’ll get it out of there Saturday night. He tells me it has to be gone then or it’s getting towed. UGH. One of the municipal workers gives Dayton and I (and our bags) a ride to the Comfort Suites in Merrillville, IN which is about 3 miles from my truck & trailer. I call the guy with the air compressor and explain (yet again) I can’t pick it up for another day or two. He said that’s fine and he’s retired so he’s always home so whenever I get everything worked out just come and get it. Of course it’s the darned weekend and all the motels have their weekend price hikes and the Comfort Suites wanted $129.99 per night. It was a very nice place with a nice pool area for Dayton, and a breakfast bar that would save me about $20.00 per day so that was worth something. I hashed it out with the manager for a bit (William Shatner would have been proud) and I got the room for $89.99 which is still more then I cared to spend not knowing how long I was going to be stuck down there. Although the room was like a business suite with a computer hutch, high back leather office chair two big beds, a large screen flat panel TV, good size fridge, microwave, coffee pot, and a bathroom that rivals the one in my house. It’s now about 6:00pm central time and I get a hold of my father who is on vacation down at my brothers’ house for Gingers’ graduation no less) and devise an evil plan…errr… hatch a please come and save me plan which consists of this: My dad immediately left and drove the 8 hours back home getting back here very late Saturday night. First thing Sunday morning he removed the topper off the Dakota and went to my house and hooked to the trailer and pulled it into town to fix the bearings (and maybe spindles/hubs?; of course he removed the loose hub/wheel assembly). Thankfully it just needed new inner/outer bearings/races (on both sides; yes the races were heat welded to the spindle). A few trips to Advance Auto Parts and the trailer has new bearings. Now that the trailer was fixed he pulled it with the Dakota up to Negaunee and got the 1998 turbo diesel Chevy (extended cab, long box) from my grandfathers’ house. He hooked the trailer to the Chevy and loaded the Dakota onto the trailer. Now our plan was in action! He drove back to his house called me for directions and headed out (~6:00pm eastern time).
Meanwhile Dayton and I walked over to Toys R Us and then the big mall they had. We had some lunch at Panda Express in the food court and dinner at Chipotle’ YUM! Then come evening we just hung out in the room and watched movies and did a lot of swimming.
My father showed up around 1:30am central time early Monday morning and was overly tired so he went to bed and I unloaded the Dakota and went to get the trailer & car off of the Dodge Ram and hook it to the Dakota. I was very nervous wondering if they were even going to be there still. I couldn’t find the phone number to the truck stop to let them know we were a few hours late but I was still coming to get my truck & trailer out of there that night, and I surely wasn’t walking there with Dayton. I got there around 2:30am central time and unhooked the trailer & car from my Ram and hooked it to the Dakota and pulled it back to the motel. It was 70 degrees out (still!!) and I was awake still so I decided to take the diesel truck and go back and load up my Ram. That took a little doing, but I got it. I got back to the motel room just after 4:00am central time. And crashed. I woke up at 7:00am and we went down and had breakfast and chilled for a few minutes. We went out and extra safety chained everything and loaded our bags and headed towards home. The Dakota (even with the 3.9L) has plenty of power for towing, however it doesn’t stop the extra weight (~4,500 lbs; trailer & car) very well. Once we were on I-80 heading west we passed (opposite direction) a lot of the NHRA pro drag racing teams (the race was in Chicago this past weekend, GRRR!!!) which was cool and then going north on I-94 from Chicago, Il. all the way to Racine, WI we past (opposite direction) the Hot Rod Power Tour 2009, which was absolutely awesome to watch go by.
I finally picked up the air compressor and we headed to Green Bay for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. While we were finishing up dinner getting ready to leave my sister text messaged me (I had my wife’s’ cell phone) and said her and my mom were at Fleet Farm in Green Bay, WI. Kind of odd, and in a couple minutes we passed them on the interstate and we all traveled home together safely. We got home at around 9:30pm eastern time. I got Dayton in bed because his last day of school was the next day and he already missed Friday (activity/field day) & Monday (school picnic).
At 10:30 my phone rings and it is the guy that was the highest bidder on my GTX saying he thought it over and he’ll take. I told him he has to pay for gas (again; obviously) and I am not hauling the extra roof down again. He also wanted my near NOS 23-spline 4-speed transmission, but I told him it wasn’t for sale anymore. I explained I have a lot of 4-speeds and would sell him one I know is good for $350.00 and he agreed to that. I still have his $300.00 deposit from the eBay auction so I guess everything worked out OK. Just took a long round about way to get there. We agreed on $2,150.00 for the GTX body, $350.00 for the transmission, and $150.00 for the delivery. The delivery will be a wash because it will cost me almost that much in fuel/food/time.
I could probably get more for it with the other interested party, however I still have the original buyers deposit, and he has already visually looked the car over and knows everything about it.

Well I'm happy to report that the GTX finally went to a good home where it is getting restored!

After all the screwing around the original winning bidder and I struck a deal ($2,150.00 + a second delivery fee, and he bought a 23-spline A-883 4-speed transmission I wanted to get rid of) so it worked out in the end.

The owner has a nice 1970 GTX that is finished and a 1971 GTX air grabber project car. The 1968 is the one he has always wanted and now finally owns.

Thanks for everyone that has helped try to sell this car.
I really appreciate it.
I am surprised/baffled it took so long to find a buyer.
The important thing is I got what I needed from the car, got the money I wanted out of it, and the buyer got the car he wanted at a great price. It was a win~win and both parties were satisfied!

Congrats!

Wow all spelling is correct too. :clap: I could actually follow the story.

That had to be one of the hardest car's to sell. Congrats.

dang, you should write a book, and puplish it with the money you made on the gtx. I congradulate you on the sale, and also own a 68 440 4speed gtx in similar condition, i wouldnt sell it for under 4000 tho, i have more parts and its in better shape, but still ppl are crazy, i would have given you 3000 for that thing in a heart beat....if you lived in new hampshire. Im glad its going to a good home!

Is this car still for sale? I just joined this site. I can't see the pics but it sounds good. I will have to check to see if I can see the pics on my home computer.
John

I guess I didn't read far enough down.
Congrats on the sale! I guess I missed out on a great deal.

I wish you lived a little closer to iowa

Back from the dead. :rolling:

Congrats on the Sale !

You finally unburry yourself from the last blizzard? Sharpen your shovel, looks like another foot is on its way just in time for Christmas....God I love this time of year!

So I hear. :(

holy crap that was one heck of a deal, man i wished i were around when you were selling that, i would have driven from Canada to bring it back home, at 2500 how can you not buy it????

i wished i were around when you were selling that
I wish you were around too. :rolling:

man i cannot believe how hard of a time you had selling that thing, no matter what the economy was like, i sure would have liked to have had a big block 4 speed GTX, what a beautiful car!!

man i cannot believe how hard of a time you had selling that thing, no matter what the economy was like, i sure would have liked to have had a big block 4 speed GTX, what a beautiful car!!

Looking for a big block, 4spd GTX convertible by any chance ? :grin:

Looking for a big block, 4spd GTX convertible by any chance ? :grin:



That's aweful tempting, actually really i'm not looking for one at all and should really be putting all my $$$ into my plymouth scamp but hey when you see a deal like that you can't just let it pass by, too bad it already had though. Are you actually selling one?? What kinda $$$$ you looking to get outa it?

Yes, I was kicking around selling one of the fleet. It's a project, but not a disaster. Somewhere around $8500 I'm thinking.

ya that'd be a little much for me, when i saw the 2500 here my heart nearly stopped, then i saw the date it was posted and then was bummed, owell i'll just keep workin on the old A body. What i'd really like is a 71 charger or early 70's road runner, i love the looks of those cars.

Wow, this thread went over 100 posts!