Read the news today and it may appear we are not of this Earth—the monolithic way in which we thought the world was organized has fractured. Peruse questionnaires and you’ll be asked if you’re male, female, or other. The truth is that this is not a new phenomenon, as our Pick of the Day presented the very same orientation. This 1972 Plymouth Road Runner GTX is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Alsip, Illinois.
You likely know the story of how Plymouth introduced the GTX for 1967, which included a standard 375-horsepower Super Commando 440. The following model year, Plymouth introduced a novel companion performance model called the Road Runner. Major distinctions between the two was that the GTX was based on the up-market Sport Satellite, while the Road Runner was based on the down-market Belvedere and powered by a 383. The siblings continued together through 1971, but sales of the two models tanked as market forces (insurance among them) led to a decline of the performance/sporty segment. With only 2,942 GTXs produced for 1971, Plymouth decided to put the GTX model to rest.
During these years (1968-71), the 440 four-barrel was never available as a legitimate option for the Road Runner (the anomaly being the Superbird), but due to the absence of the GTX, Plymouth added the 440 four-barrel to the 1972 Road Runner’s roster. Interestingly, when this engine was specified, subtle GTX badges were added. There was no “GTX package” per se—order the 440 and the Road Runner also received GTX badges.
The 1969-71 “RB”-engined Mopar muscle cars—that’s 440 and 426 Hemi to the uninitiated—received the famed, heavy-duty Dana 60 rear end when equipped with a four-speed (with any gear set) or 727 TorqueFlite when 4.10 gears were specified. However, for 1972, the only Plymouth to receive the Dana rear was the 440 four-speed-equipped Road Runner. Why no automatic Danas? Nineteen seventy-two was the first year for low-compression engines as mandated by the Feds, and Plymouth was less aggressive in its offerings, as 3.55 was the best gearing for TorqueFlite automatics. For four-speeds, the “A33” Track Pak was required and included the Dana rear with 3.54 gears, a Sure-Grip differential, a seven-blade torque drive fan, and 26-inch radiator with fan shroud.
This “GY9” Tawny Gold 1972 Plymouth Road Runner GTX is one of 219 U.S.-spec Road Runners built with the 440 four-barrel and four-speed. Yes, the compression is low, but that doesn’t mean this car isn’t a scorcher—plus it runs just fine on unleaded premium. “Fresh restoration on solid-body car,” says the seller. “Documented with Chrysler Corporation and dealer invoices, being sold new from Schoenhals Motor Sales, Inc. in Imlay City, Michigan.” Features include a 440 with 0.30 overbore plus aluminum heads, Gold buckets, a center console, the Décor Group, power steering and brakes, the Rallye instrument cluster, an AM/FM radio, the “N96” Air Grabber, black Strobe striping (though the invoice originally specifies gold), and 14-inch Rallye road wheels, among other items.
As this car was ordered with the 440, you’ll find GTX badges on the front fenders and trunk lid, but don’t mistake it for a GTX—it identifies as a Road Runner. Confused? For $79,900, we bet you’ll know exactly what you’re driving.
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