1971 Plymouth GTX 440 +6 Convertible - XCON Concept

The GTX Convertible was a staple of the B Body line since 1967, playing a crucial role in establishing the marque as a luxury performance powerhouse. Sales were strong on this popular model until the down-market Road Runner was also made available in a drop top, cannibalizing sales. When GTX return in 1971 in a smaller, lighter package one would think that a convertible variant would also return for this important image making model for Plymouth even if it were available as a Roadrunner or GTX. But cost cutting measured combined with a low volume sales outlook conspired to keep a B Body convertible on the drawing board. In the meantime, GM and FoMoCo were offering mid-sized drop tops for '71 and beyond enjoying sales success, especially as the pure performance era wound down and personal luxury rose to replace it. Heck, the 1972 Mustang is not much smaller sold and 6,121 copies that year. GM mid sizes sold thousands more. Chrysler misread the market and missed the boat.

The XCON concept is an attempt to right that wrong. Gary and Pam Beineke of G-Series 71 Wing Car fame were equally curious to see how the fuselage styling of GTX would look with an open canopy. The answer was surprising. Top up, the GTX's lines look nearly identical to its coupe cousin. The bonus? The vinyl roof material is identical to a production E-body of the same year. The frame only needed minimal customization to lineup properly with the A-pillar. Factory E-body motors, latches and switchgear were used. Chrysler would have no doubt done the same. The windshield frame was reinforced with ¾ solid steel round rod stock and the frame fully tied for overall chassis rigidity. Anti-rattle door buffers from the C-body convertibles were incorporated into the doorjambs to give the car a bank vault feel, even on rocky ground. The stainless brightwork is all hand fabricated and looks like mother Mopar did it herself. The quarter window glass was custom made to match the contours of the top. Interior panels and backseat were also custom fabricated to accommodate the convertible kit. When the top is stowed, the fit and finish also feels factory.

While the XCON isn't wearing an orange jumpsuit, it is dressed in a stunning coat of Curious Yellow with 440 +6 hood callouts flanked on either side with black hashmarks. The appearance package is rounded out with lower front valance strakes, rear high wing spoiler, and dual “Bazooka” exhaust tips.

Deluxe black bucket seat, console interior completes the luxury performance look. The XCON certainly lives the high life on the inside, equipped with power windows and a full complement of Rallye gauges. The factory Tuff wheel is leather wrapped for that high quality feel. Wanting to keep the whole affair feeling “factory”, door speakers from the audiophile system are hidden behind a slotted pattern mirrored from the stock rear package tray. Sometimes the most impressive modifications are also the most subtle.

This is no turn-table queen either. The XCON is built for speed, packing a 440 SIX BARREL motor with 450 horsepower, backed by a Keisler Engineering 4 Speed Automatic. The torque hits the ground through an 8 ¾ Sure Grip Axle loaded with 3.91 gears.

The giant, yet stock appearing Glen Ray radiator keeps things cool. Factory wheels conceal 4-wheel power disc brakes. Factory up front and Stainless Steel Brake Corp units out back. The undercarriage is clean and dry with factory sound insulation installed, just as Plymouth would have done it. No worries about chipping 17 coats of clear when you take it for a long cruise. Factory power steering was custom rebuilt by Steer and Gear for modern firm handling character. The suspension is enhanced but factory stock appearing, congruent with the purpose of this build- to prove that a GTX convertible from the factory would not only be viable, but an excellent addition the Plymouth lineup for 1971.

How much longer would GTX and Roadrunner persisted as models if an aspirational convertible variant remained in the lineup? We may never know, but at least you can enjoy this one!