Photo: Lou Costabile/YouTube
The following year, Plymouth introduced the Road Runner as an entry-level model. Unlike the Road Runner, which was a huge success, the GTX sold only slowly. When Plymouth also discontinued the high-compression 440 cubic inch (7.2 liter) and 426 cubic inch (7.0 liter) engines in 1971, only 55,516 GTXs were sold in five model years.
The last version, from 1971, is the rarest of all. With muscle cars already on the decline and insurance premiums skyrocketing, only 2,703 customers ordered the expensive GTX. Of these, 2,538 left the factory with the standard 440 cubic-inch four-cylinder. The other 165 got the 440 six-barrel and the 426 HEMI, the top model in the series.
The latter is by far the rarest, with only 30 delivered, including 19 automatics and 11 four-speed manuals. These HEMI GTXs from last year are also sought after and expensive, with very original examples selling for more than $200,000. The green and yellow GTX you see here is one of those rides.
This 1971 Plymouth GTX, presented by classic car enthusiast Lou Costabile, appears to be a flawless restoration. And not only does it have a 426 HEMI under the hood, but it also has a four-speed manual transmission. This combination makes it one of only 11 examples built this way. “Rare” is an understatement.
Then there’s the Curious Yellow color, which most likely makes it a one-of-a-kind gem. I saw a HEMI GTX in this exact color in 2019 (for a whopping $253,000), but that car had a three-speed automatic and no vinyl roof. Unless there’s another Curious Yellow HEMI GTX hiding somewhere, this Mopar is one of a kind in terms of paint, roof, and powertrain combination.
Speaking of which, Curious Yellow was a pretty controversial shade at the time. Curious Yellow was one of ten Chrysler high-impact colors offered from 1969 to 1973, and was an option for the 1971 model year. It was also available on Dodge models as Citron Yella.
It is said that many saw the name Curious Yellow as a reference to the 1967 Swedish erotic drama “I Am Curious (Yellow),” which was initially banned in some US states on the grounds of obscenity. Although Chrysler has not made an official statement, some speculate that the company removed the color from its range after just one year because of this association.
Whatever the case, the shade found its way onto very few Mopars. Chrysler didn’t keep detailed records, but most experts agree that less than 0.5% of all Mopars were ordered in this bright yellow. And much like Rally Green and Moulin Rouge cars, Curious Yellow vehicles are hard to find today.
The owner has no plans to part with the GTX, but the color/drivetrain combination would make this Mopar a very expensive classic on the auction block. In recent years, 1971 HEMI GTX cars in this condition have changed hands for $192,500 to $374,000. It’s one of those HEMI cars we don’t see very often, so press play below and enjoy the sight (and the ride). You may also want to subscribe to Lou’s YouTube channel to see other cool classics from the golden era.
