Image Credit: Mopars5150 / YouTube.A trip into Canada has turned up an extraordinary piece of Mopar history: a 1970 Plymouth GTX equipped with the 440 Six Barrel V8, a four-speed manual, and an exceptionally rare factory-painted black roof. The car was recently acquired by the Mopars5150 crew after they traveled to Espanola, Ontario, to inspect it and meet longtime owner Brian Dugan.A 440 Six Barrel, four-speed GTX would already rank among the more desirable configurations from Plymouth's muscle-car era. This particular example stands apart because its fender tag carries the V02 two-tone paint designation, pairing Deep Burnt Orange Metallic bodywork with a TX9 black-painted roof rather than the far more familiar vinyl covering.According to information shared by Dugan from the 1970 GTX Registry, just 93 GTXs from the model year are recorded as having two-tone paint. Registry information provided to him reportedly identifies this example as the only known V-code, or 440 Six Barrel, GTX among them, making it a potential one-of-one configuration.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat distinction deserves an important qualifier because another undocumented example could theoretically surface. Based on the registry information presented with the car, however, this is currently believed to be the only known 1970 GTX combining the Six Barrel powertrain with the factory two-tone treatment.The Painted Roof Was Hidden For YearsImage Credit: Mopars5150 / YouTube.Dugan acquired the GTX around 2000 after it was transported from Alberta, and the car did not immediately reveal what made it unusual. At the time, the entire body had been painted Deep Burnt Orange Metallic, including the roof.The clue was hiding on its fender tag. Dugan initially noticed TX9 listed for the roof and assumed something was wrong because he expected the familiar V1X code for a black vinyl top, only to find the V02 designation identifying the car as a factory two-tone paint example.He left the GTX in its single-color configuration for roughly three years before restoring the contrasting black roof. The resulting combination is subtle compared with some of Chrysler's wilder High Impact color schemes, yet the glossy painted surface gives the roof a noticeably different character from a textured vinyl top.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe unusual specification also helps explain why verifying small details became important. Dugan discussed everything from the roof trim to evidence of previous bodywork with Mopars5150, while the crew inspected identifying stampings before completing the purchase.Only 350 Six Barrel Four-Speed GTXs Were BuiltImage Credit: Mopars5150 / YouTube.Plymouth produced 7,748 GTXs for 1970, making the upscale muscle car relatively uncommon even before individual powertrain combinations are considered. Of those, 678 reportedly received the optional 440 Six Barrel V8, with 350 paired with a four-speed manual transmission.The 440 Six Barrel was one of Chrysler's great street engines. Using three two-barrel carburetors atop the 440-cubic-inch big-block, Plymouth rated it at 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, placing it between the standard 375-hp 440 and the considerably more expensive 426 Hemi.This GTX retains its numbers-matching four-speed transmission, according to Dugan, although its original engine is no longer present. When he acquired the car, it carried an incorrect 1966 block that consumed substantial amounts of oil, so he eventually sourced a period-correct replacement engine with a production date appropriate for the car.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat distinction matters on a collector vehicle of this caliber. It is not a numbers-matching drivetrain car, yet the period-correct engine, original transmission, rare factory configuration, and surviving documentation still make it an unusually compelling GTX.Its History Leads Through Western CanadaDugan was able to trace part of the GTX's earlier history through previous owners. He said the car had once been acquired by Ken Hill from Carlyle, Saskatchewan, before eventually passing through another owner and making its way to Dugan approximately 25 years ago.The GTX was not perfect when it arrived. Various correct pieces were missing, including its buddy seat, shifter, and hood-mounted turn-signal indicators, sending Dugan on a long search for appropriate replacement components.Evidence of older repairs remains as well. Partial quarter-panel skins appear to have been installed rather than complete replacement quarters, while much of the underlying structure and portions of the engine compartment appeared reassuringly original during Mopars5150's inspection.AdvertisementAdvertisementDugan never attempted to disguise those details. The lengthy visit became an opportunity to walk through the GTX's history, receipts, old photographs and previous repairs before the deal was finalized.Mopars5150 Bought The Rare GTXImage Credit: Mopars5150 / YouTube.What was initially expected to be a relatively short visit stretched to nearly 10 hours as the group examined the GTX and talked through decades of Mopar history. Eventually, Mopars5150 confirmed that a deal had been reached to purchase the car.The crew even considered driving the 56-year-old Plymouth roughly four hours toward Toronto rather than immediately loading it onto a transporter. Dugan had recently serviced the GTX and expressed confidence in its ability to make the trip, reinforcing the fact that this remains a usable muscle car rather than a static museum piece.Its next chapter remains undecided. Mopars5150 explained that the GTX could ultimately join their private collection or eventually be sold to another enthusiast, while emphasizing that they had not promised the former owner it would remain with them permanently.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhatever happens next, the car has already delivered the kind of discovery Mopar enthusiasts dream about. Six Barrel power, a four-speed transmission, and a factory-painted roof make for an exceptional combination, while the registry evidence suggesting it is the only known V-code two-tone 1970 GTX gives this Canadian find an especially fascinating place in muscle-car history.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
