>> 1967 Plymouth GTX gets a new lease of life/Mopar
Among the many gas and electric cars on display at SEMA this year will be a gorgeous blue 1967 Plymouth GTX. However, don't be too happy about the wild V-8 engine under the hood of this modified muscle car.
In its place is a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels. This is written by Motor1 publication.
It's called the Plymouth GTX Electromod Concept and it comes from Mopar, a division of Chrysler that has made parts for decades and is now the parts supplier for all Stellantis. In the 1960s, Mopar handed out all sorts of performance upgrades to just about every V8 in the Chrysler family. This also applies to the GTX, which debuted in 1967 as a modest two-door Belvedere convertible with two engine options: a 375-horsepower 7.2cc V8 or the legendary 426-cylinder Hemi.
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Fast forward to 2024, and Mopar is testing the waters with a concept electric conversion kit for classic cars. It's called the e-Crate, and it's no different than the various Hellcat setups currently available for custom cars. It is based on a 400-volt 250-kilowatt electric drive module,which is carefully installed under the hood with the help of special fasteners.
Power is provided by four batteries, three of which are installed in the trunk. The fourth is located up front behind the grille for better weight distribution, which is important considering each unit weighs 230 pounds. The system is designed for 73 kilowatt-hours and provides a GTX range of 250 miles.
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But range and efficiency have never been defining factors for a muscle car. It's all about power, and on that front the GTX Electromod makes “about 335 horsepower and torque,” according to Mopar. That's less than the original 440, let alone the Hemi. There is no transmission, the torque is transmitted to the rear wheels through a 3:1 gearbox. That way, at least, there is very little (if any) transmission loss. No mention of performance stats.
Otherwise, the car has typical restomodny upgrades. It has lowered suspension with 18-inch wheels and Wilwood disc brakes at all four corners. The custom hood is made of carbon fiber, and the wheel arches have been widened at the rear.
The front and rear bumpers have been trimmed for a cleaner fit, and you won't find a single piece of chrome anywhere. The blue interior has some personality, with bronze and stainless trim on the instrument panel and door panels. There were new seats, a new central console and digital instruments behind the retro steering wheel. The Mopar team also added a windshield, because all muscle cars need windshields.
This certainly isn't the first time a major automaker has turned a classic muscle car into an electric car. And since the future is still moving (albeit more slowly) toward electric power, we doubt it will be the last.