This 1968 Plymouth HEMI GTX Convertible Is a 1-of-1 Gem With Racing History

The Charger arrived for the 1966 model year as a sleek fastback with a premium-appointed interior. The GTX made its debut one year later. But unlike the Charger, which featured unique sheet metal, the GTX was mainly a fancied-up two-door Belvedere.

The Plymouth moved about 12,000 units in its first year on the market and became known as "the gentleman's muscle car." The GTX faired better in 1968, with more than 17,000 examples delivered, but sales dropped significantly every year until the nameplate went into the history books at the end of the 1971 model year.

But even though it was short-lived and nowhere near as popular as its more affordable sibling, the Road Runner, the Plymouth GTX is now among the most iconic Mopars ever made. And at about 55,000 units sold over five model years, it's one of the rarest, too. Especially the HEMI version, of which only 1,526 were produced.

And things become even scarcer if we include the convertible layout in the mix. Not only were drop-tops not very popular then, but Plymouth discontinued the body style after the 1969 model year. And it only managed to sell 73 examples from 1967 through 1969 (including nine cars shipped to Canada). The convertible you see here is one of those vehicles.

Spotted at the Holley MoParty in Bowling Green, Kentucky, this GTX is, first and foremost, one of the first 1968-model-year examples that left the assembly line in September 1967. It's also one of only 40 HEMI drop-tops sold that year and one of 36 delivered to US customers. That's not all! The automatic transmission makes it one of 24 rigs with this drivetrain layout.

But this is more than a run-of-the-mill HEMI GTX. This Mopar spent its early days as a test vehicle for various magazines. It was first sent to Car Craft Magazine and then found its way to Car Life Magazine and Popular Hot Rodding for drag testing. Once it completed its promotional mini-tour, the GTX paced the Riverside Grand Prix with 1957 Indy 500 winner Sam Hanks behind the steering wheel.

With too many miles to be sold as new, the GTX was left to Prince Chrysler Plymouth of Inglewood, California, which sold it as a used car in June 1968. Driven by its first owner until sometime in the 1970s, the HEMI drop-top was then parked for several years until the current owner bought it in 1986.

Fast forward to 2023, and the Mopar has been restored to its original specifications, also regaining its pace car livery in the process. And thanks to its gold color and options/drivetrain combo, this 1968 HEMI GTX is a one-of-one gem. Hit the play button below to check out one of the rarest HEMI-powered Mopars ever built.