the real thing for around $14
extra in 1970. A few years ago, Monogram reissued this model (see
picture of box) calling it the "2'n 1 Plymouth GTX street
machine". This model, the same size as the original limegreen one, is
8 3/4" long, but is molded in a dark blue plastic. As the kit's name
implies, the
model can be assembled as a street rod or factory stock. The
cost for this model kit was around $8 but now may be hard to find.My comments here are going to be directed for the most part toward those who wish to assemble the model into the factory stock GTX version.
Both issues of Monogram's 1970 GTX features the Plymouth with the optional six-barrel carb set-up on the standard high perfomance 440 CID engine, a Dana rear end, and the hemi four-speed transmission with the pistol grip shifter. A console, the "airgrabber" air induction hood, dual mirrors, and 14" road wheels are some other options included on this model. The bumpers, grill, mirrors, shifter, and road wheels are molded with "chrome" plating. The modeler can choose to make the model with the "airgrabber" trap door open or closed. The hood itself is made so it will open and close. The "2'n 1" kit also contains a rear go-wing for the trunk lid. Even thought the box shows this piece only on the street rod version, it was a midyear option on the stock version, too. If one chooses to put it on their stock version it needs to be painted a flat black color.
Monogram does a nice job of recreating the car quite accurately. Fine detail such as wheel opening moldings, quarter panel and trunk "GTX" lettering, door handles, "Plymouth" lettering on the rear, and wiper arms/blades are crafted well. The underside of the car is also molded with exacting details. The Ralleye dash, bucket seats, and dual exhaust tips (one has to paint them chrome), were all standard items on the real GTX and are part of the model as well. The honey-combed grill fits easily in place on the model and only needs the inside part of the grill painted a dark gray color.
The 440 engine with its 3-2 barrel carbs are molded with reasonable detail. The block should be painted "hemi" orange however and not the bright red as pictured on the model box. The underhood details of the GTX include the 26" HD radiator, power brake booster unit, and battery. Unfortunately the model erroneously has two containers (shown painted brown on the box photo) located on the passenger side of the engine compartment. On the real car a white plastic windshield washer reservior is the only container located on that side. Monogram also failed to include the "airgrabber" fiberglass box and big oval rubber seal under the hood as part of the kit. The chrome plating needs to be scaped off the "rubber" bumper guards which are molded into the front bumper. These rubber guards can then be painted black. The picture on the front of the box incorrectly shows these bumper guards as being chrome.
One other error on the box of the model shows the complete area around and between the tail lights painted the same color as the rest of the body. Only on the 1970 Roadrunner was this true. On the real GTX this recessed area around the tail lights and between them was painted flat black. This area was also bordered by a narrow chrome trim which was not molded onto this model.
The decals for this model include the correct "440+6" numbers for the hood which are to be located on each side of the trap door. Two black stripes for the hood are included but the modeler must paint the main middle section of the hood black to complete the "performance hood paint" option. White sport stripes for both sides of the model are also part of the decal sheet. On the real car these sport stripes came in reflective white, black or gold, as standard equipment. The modeler may omit putting these stripes on if one chooses, as the real car could be special ordered without them. (The dealer had to specify the V68 code, stripe delete, to the factory).
The instruction sheet is well illustrated with easy to follow steps in assembling the car.
Some think the 1970 Plymouth GTX was the best of the luxury musclecars produced as it included good looks, plenty of chrome and woodgrain trim, exceptional power and a stylish interior and exterior. Now for all you who have always wanted to own a 1970 GTX but couldn't afford the real thing, Monogram has the answer. Their kit is a good reproduction at 1/24 scale of the real thing.