1970 GTX

Each of us had a dream . . . and each dream had a meaning of its own. Gen 41:11

Restoration Table of Contents

GTX Family Tree

GTX Production History

This car was an early production build unit built as a Sales Bank car at the Lynch Road facility. Plymouth started to build the 1970 models on August 1^st, 1969. This car has a scheduled production date of September 18^th, 1969, just seven weeks into the production run.

Plymouth’s Sales Bank, where vehicles were built, registered as sold and held in vast lots where the vehicles were built, was ultimately supposed to even out production. The idea of the Sales Bank was that instead of constantly slowing and speeding production to meet varying market demand, factories would work at full capacity year-round. Any unsold cars are “banked” in storage lots until demand picks up. This supposedly eliminates carmakers two largest headaches: the need to run near full capacity (to maintain low unit costs) and the cyclical market. What made the bank deadly in practice: overstated sales projections. “Banking” just made things worse.

The problem with “holding” the cars– beyond the storage cost and resulting deterioration– was the way the practice warped Chrysler’s relations with its dealers. With a huge pool of cars to choose from in the Sales Bank, there was little incentive for dealers to place ordinary orders from the factory. Instead, they’d simply pick up their sales inventory when the manufacturer’s lots got too full– at fire sale prices. Unfortunately, selling worn vehicles that were stored outside did little to increase demand for cars, which led to more “Banking” of inventory by the manufacturer.

Original Owner - July 1971 - September 1971

This GTX was first sold on July 27^th, 1971 twenty-two months after it was first scheduled to be built. The dealership that sold the car was Mark Motors located at 2020 E. Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Mark Motors was founded by Mark Heller who was born in Odessa, Russia, as an only child in 1920.

The first owner of this GTX did not own the car for long. It was traded back into Mark motors and resold as a used car on September 28^th, 1971 for $2625.00 (including tax), just two months after the original sale. Why did the first owner trade this GTX in after so short a time? Was his number called for the draft? Could he not afford the payments on the $4695.35 list price plus the insurance costs? One thing is certain; he did not received much on his trade as the car was sold to the second owner through Mark Motors for $2500.00.

2nd Owner History - Fall 1971 - Spring 1978

The following facts were provided by the daughters of the 2nd Owner!

The second owner was a real car guy and cherished this car. He was also a family man with four daughters and was married for 55 years before passing away in 2015. While owned by the second owner, the car was used primarily as a second car for the family. It was mostly driven by his wife around town in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. This owners commute was longer than the errands his wife needed to perform around home. The gas mileage was poor with the 4.10:1 geared Dana 60 in the car so this became the wife's daily commuter car. His third daughter used the car to take her driver’s test and failed. A spur of the minute decision to take her to be tested, and the suggestion she use the GTX, placed her in an unfamiliar car that she was not accustomed to driving.

This owner was also known to take the car out to Illinois Route 53 late at night and bring the car to a full stop when there was no traffic and let it rip. Ultimately, in the spring of 1978, he decided that his family obligations were more important than indulging in his car passion and the GTX was listed for sale in the local Auto Trader for $800.00 and sold to the third owner.

3rd Owner History - Spring 1978 - Fall 1978

This third owner also had a short history with the car. He was a car buff as well and had several Chevelle's and another GTX. At the time, he lived in an apartment complex off of Northwest Highway and his cars were parked in the open lot. He ultimately needed to make a job related move to Phoenix, Arizona and couldn’t afford to move all his cars. In the fall of 1978, the car was once again placed for sale in the local Auto Trader, except, the advertised price was now $1500. This is where the fourth and current owner found the GTX.

Current Owner - September 1978 to present

The car was purchased for $1400.00 on September 19, 1978 by the current owner as his first car. At the time of purchase in 1978, the car had traveled just over 28,000 miles in eight years and was remarkably intact and original. The car was used as a daily driver for several years and after putting another 10,000 miles on the GTX, this expensive to drive car, was put aside for more practical transportation. Some of those 10,000 miles were clocked up at Broadway Bob’s Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove Wisconsin, which has been in continuous operation since 1955 as a purpose built racetrack.

This GTX has been a source of many great and long lasting friendships and has brought cherished memories for the owner over the years. After being long dormant, the car was treated to a full restoration to its factory correct configuration by noted restorer, Roger Gibson, in Scott City, Missouri.

The car retains its original drivetrain and as many original parts as could be used during the restoration.

Original Dealership Fun Facts

The dealership that sold the car was Mark Motors located at 2020 E. Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights, Ill. Mark Motors was founded by Mark Heller who was born in Odessa, Russia, as an only child in 1920.

In 1931 Mark had made his way to Chicago and began providing for his parents at 11 years old. At the age of 15 Mark bought his first used car for $50. Mark sold that car for $250 to a used car dealer by the name of Tex Sweetlove. Tex liked what he saw in Mark and hired him to buy cars for his dealership. Tex taught Mark the car business and soon Mark was buying and selling cars for himself.

After serving in the US Army as a celestial navigator and translator (he spoke five languages by this time), Mark opened his first one car used car lot on Cicero Ave in downtown Chicago, in 1948. Mark would buy one car at a time and when he sold that car he would buy another one with the proceeds.

In 1957 - Mark Heller decided to take the money he had earned over a 9 year period and build a used car dealership in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights. He named his new dealership Mark Motors. When the building was complete, the Arlington Heights city manager walked in and advised Mark that the city was not zoned for used car dealers and the only way he could open for business was to have a new car franchise in conjunction with his used car operation. Mark quickly petitioned every new car manufacturer for a dealership and was rejected by every manufacturer except one, Studebaker. The year was 1957 and Studebaker was probably only three years away from going out of business and they knew it. It wasn't unusual for Studebaker to issue a new car franchise to anyone who would agree to take it since sales were a challenge and the public’s interest in the vehicle was waning. Sure enough, Studebaker announced that they would cease operations and closed their manufacturing plant in 1960 and ceased operations soon thereafter.

Mark Heller, founder of Mark Motors

In 1959 - A company from Germany by the name of Mercedes-Benz was trying to build a dealer network in the US. Their first order of business was to begin to rent warehouse space from Studebaker in Indiana while a man by the name of Hanz Weiztineiger travelled the US in search of dealers who would be willing to represent the brand. Mr. Weitzineiger showed up to Mark's Studebaker dealership one night in what Mark later described as “a very large, unattractive black sedan.” Mr. Weitzineiger asked to speak to Mark and began to sell Mark on the Mercedes-Benz brand and the possibility that Mark become an authorized dealer. Mark proceeded to quiz Hans on the features and benefits of the vehicle. He asked if it had air conditioning, power brakes, power steering or even a radio. The answer to all of Mark's questions was no. Mark asked, "What do you ask for the car?" to which Hans replied, "$7,000." Mark said he was crazy and told him he wasn't interested (by way of reference, you could buy a brand new loaded up Cadillac for $2,950 at the time). Hans asked if he could leave the 1959 Mercedes 190D and if so, asked if Mark would take him to the train station. Hans told Mark that he had a meeting downtown and didn't want to pay for parking. Mark agreed to take him to the train station and put the black 190D in the back of the dealership where it sat for one year.

In 1960 a man came up from Indiana to buy the 1959 black 190D Mercedes. The man gave Mark a check for $7,000 and Mark got in touch with Hans to let him know he sold the car. Hans came into the dealership to pick up the $7,000 check and gave Mark a check back for $700. That was the most Mark had ever made on a car and inquired what it would take to be a Mercedes-Benz dealer. Hans replied, "Buy $2,500 worth of parts from me and I'll make you a dealer." Well, Mark wasn't sure he could ever sell another Mercedes-Benz but he was sure that he needed a new car franchise to be able to sell used cars in Arlington Heights. So, Mark said yes, wrote Hans a check for $2,500 and became the second Mercedes-Benz dealer in the Chicagoland area.

Over the years, Mark Heller sold a few new Mercedes-Benz while selling many used cars. Eventually, Mark also was granted a Chrysler dealership and was successful until 1979 when he voluntarily terminated his Plymouth franchise to become an exclusive Mercedes-Benz dealer. Only carrying Mercedes-Benz was a risky proposition back in 1979 because the country was struggling from an oil shortage and experiencing a major recession. By going exclusively Mercedes-Benz, Mark began to focus on creating a better customer service model while simultaneously getting and selling more and more Mercedes-Benz.

Who Is Mark Motors : https://www.themarkmotors.com/who-is-mark

1970 GTX Production Numbers

The 1970 Plymouth production numbers for various options on this car are listed below in declining order:

1970 Plymouth GTX Hardtop’s built Percent made 7748 Total including Export

1970 Plymouth GTX Hardtop’s Built 100 7141 USA Dealers

1970 GTX’s with Chrome Exhaust Tips 100 7141 (Standard)

1970 GTX’s with Lower ½ Horn Ring 100 7141 (Standard)

1970 GTX’s with Power steering 76.8% 5484

1970 GTX’s with AM Radio 67.9% 4849

1970 GTX’s with Light Package 54.0% 3856

1970 GTX’s with LH Remote Mirror 49.0% 3499

1970 GTX’s with Power Disc Brakes 33.0% 2357

1970 GTX’s with Tachometer/Clock 31.3% 2235

1970 GTX’s with Air Grabber Hood 30.3% 2164

1970 GTX’s with Hood Pins 27.7% 1978

1970 GTX’s with Rallye Wheels 26.8% 1914

1970 GTX’s with Door Edge Moldings 12.2% 871

1970 GTX’s with Center Front Seat 11.0% 786

1970 GTX’s with 440 Six Barrel Engine 9.5% 678

1970 GTX’s with F60 x 15” Tires 8.8% 628

1970 GTX’s with 440+6 & Torque flite 4.6% 329

1970 GTX’s with Citron Mist Metallic Paint 4.0% 286

1970 GTX’s with Gold & Black Buckets 3.8% 271

1970 GTX’s with Super Perf Axle & 440+6 1.5% 107

Note: Generally options less than 10% of total production are considered rare options. Typical survival rate is about 30 percent of the total production built.

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