A GTX that Gives New Meaning to the term “Haulin’”

By Larry Weiner

Long before a professional journalist coined the term “phantom” to describe a vehicle not actually built by the original manufacturer, the creation of “one-off” cars was merely a matter of an enthusiast wanting something different and just building it. The following story is a case in point.

Rumor has it that in 1968, a long time Mopar enthusiast named Herb purchased a new Plymouth Satellite station wagon. Living in suburban Chicago with his wife and five children, a wagon was the vehicle of necessity, rather than choice. But Herb had never lost his enthusiasm for the red hot performance cars he owned in his youth, and he continued to lust for a vehicle with the kind of power he had once enjoyed.

In 1969, with the release of the Road Runner 440c.i. Six Pack, Herb could stand it no longer. According to the story, Herb called Mr. Norm’s Grand Spaulding Dodge, the mecca for ultimate performance Mopars and asked if there was any way his nearly new Plymouth could be enhanced with the same 440 Six Pack that made the just-released Road Runner and Superbee such street and strip terrors.

The stance of the GTX 440 Six Pack Wagon makes no bones about its purpose. Sitting slightly lower than stock, it still stands tall and imposing compared to today’s low-slung cars. Period perfect Cragar S/S wheels complement the vintage appearance of the wagon, complemented by Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 performance radial tires.

Herb was assured his B-Body wagon was a fraternal twin to the Road Runner and could be fitted with the full complement of parts. In fact, the swap was nothing more than a bolt-in, and all of the parts for

True to form, Weiner installed the signature massive racing scoop on the blackout hood.

the conversion, including the 440c.i. engine, were in stock. Without hesitation, Herb brought the wagon to Mr. Norm’s and a week later took delivery of his Plymouth wagon, one that was quite unlike any other.

After driving his Six Pack Wagon for about a year, Herb’s brother-in-law from California flew in for a visit. Herb took him for a ride in the wild wagon, and his brother-in-law fell in love with it. Long story short, he made Herb an offer he couldn’t refuse, and the wagon headed west on Route 66 to Southern California. Once there, the car was further enhanced with a factory Six Pack lift-off hood — not practical in Chicago — and converted to a four-speed. The interior was upgraded with buckets and a console from a GTX.

Fast forward to today. The Plymouth wagon has been found sitting in a backyard in California, where it has been for nearly a decade. While some of the go-fast goodies are missing and the car is somewhat neglected, it’s rust-free, completely intact, and ready to be restored to its former greatness.

True to its name, the Plymouth sports a full on 440 Six Pack engine, with a trio of Holley carbs perched on an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold. A Milodon oil pan provides the latest in oil pan technology. 

Weiner purchased the Plymouth wagon, sans the GTX motif, with the mindset he would go this direction. Despite having moved to the San Diego area after years of living in Chicago, his Mopar roots that cemented his connection to Mr. Norm and Grand Spaulding Dodge are alive and well today.

Authentic Supercar Style

Classic design is one of the hallmarks of a late 1960s Plymouth, and the GTX 440 Six Pack Wagon has been carefully restored to maintain its timeless original appearance. In doing so, we have made only the subtlest visual changes, creating a vehicle that is loaded with “treats.”

While the uninitiated may overlook some of these nuances, true aficionados will find this “phantom” GTX wagon teeming numerous detail improvements that mark this as a vehicle not only true to the era from which it came, but one that incorporates many of the latest improvements, making it as contemporary and relevant today as when it first debuted.

A prime example of this philosophy is the paint. While the color is reminiscent of the original “B-5 Blue,” the brilliant “B-5 Super Blue” Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Planet Colors hue is a modern interpretation of the original that takes advantage of the latest in paint technology.

The Plymouth GTX 440 Six Pack Wagon is a great example of the incredible performance of the late 1960s big-block Mopars. And complementing the ground-pounding performance is timeless styling that leaves no question what year and brand of vehicle it is, unlike today’s generic, appliance-like front-wheel drive cars.

The 1968 Plymouth GTX 440 Six Pack Wagon is a perfect expression of what a confident, exciting time the 1960s were. It makes no pretense or excuses for what it is. One thing is sure; the GTX 440 Six Pack Wagon isn’t politically correct. Rather, it’s brash and arrogant, confident and ambitious, like the generation of Americans that inspired it and those who appreciate it for what it is today.