If you haven’t noticed yet, social media can be a race to the bottom. The social media umbrella includes the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and X, according to Boomers everywhere (I’ve seen the poll), but what about LinkedIn? Once a place for brownnosing, LinkedIn is now a depository for bad AI and automotive discussions. A recent topic: the 1969 Plymouth GTX.
Someone had posted an image of said Mopar, and another person — hopefully not a bot — said, “Luxury muscle!”
Huh?
Image courtesy of Hamtramck-Historical.com
The GTX did not come with standard power steering or brakes. A radio was also optional. Leather was not available. Poverty caps were the default wheel covers. Does this sound like luxury muscle to you?
Also, the GTX sometimes receives the title of “Gentleman’s Muscle Car.” Gentleman? “Gentleman” implies a well-heeled man noted for his refinement and propriety, so perhaps a case can be made for the GTX considering that it was based on the Sport Satellite, the top Belvedere, and came with a high level of standard equipment, including bucket seats.
Oh, look! The quintessence of luxury! (Image courtesy of Hamtramck-Historical.com)
On the other hand, let’s not forget that Plymouth was Chrysler Corporation’s low-cost brand, which is hardly the stuff gentlemen gravitate toward. Plus, the GTX was merely following in the footsteps of the Pontiac GTO, which was based on the LeMans, the top Tempest, and came with a high level of standard equipment, including bucket seats.
1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G
As you may have inferred, I feel this accreditation for the GTX is nonsense. Maybe in contrast to the Road Runner the GTX feels like a more gentlemanly muscle car, but it’s hardly a Gentleman’s Muscle Car any more than a GTO, 4-4-2, or Gran Sport. If you are in search for something more authentic, perhaps the 1968 Mercury Cougar XR7-G or 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix better fits the bill?
If you have a superior suggestion, tell us in the Comments section below.
