Larry Dickson, a highly decorated soldier who had returned from Vietnam, wanted a Hemi muscle car. In 1971, he purchased a highly-optioned, sunroof Hemi Plymouth GTX that would become the highest sticker/highest option Hemi car ever created. The car has an amazing story that has become well-known and celebrated in the Mopar community.
The Search for the Ultimate Hemi Vehicle
Dickson had won the Silver Star, Purple Heart, and other honors for valor during his tour of duty. He first bought a 70 383-powered Road Runner, but as 1972 approached, he had his local dealership search nationwide for an unsold Hemi vehicle. What came up was located more than 3,000 miles away in Bayshore, Long Island.
The EL5 Bahama Yellow ’71 Hemi GTX
The EL5 Bahama Yellow ’71 Hemi GTX had been built in November 1970 as a sales bank car, with the New York-based dealership getting it in late December. The loaded car then went unsold for more than a year. The newly restyled G-series body gave the car a fresh look, and the list of options added on an extra $2,885.75 to the GTX’s base $3,707 cost. Of course, that was led by the 426 Hemi, 4-speed, and Dana 4.10 Super Trak Pak driveline. Costly components were the incredible power sunroof, the top-line AM/FM cassette player with microphone, a houndstooth interior, power windows, spoiler package, and more. With a massive sticker price of $6,592.75, more than any factory produced Chrysler muscle car ever built, the still-new car was sent west.
Larry’s Upgrades
Once Larry bought it, a handful of aftermarket parts were added to this, notably the Mallory distributor with Rev Limiter to keep from damaging the Hemi engine. Other changes also included Cragar wheels, headers, and chromed underhood accessories.
The Unrestored Car
Following a minor alteration to the passenger side door during its first decade of ownership, Sergeant Dickson parked the GTX in his garage permanently, unrestored, and showing just under 50,000 miles since new. His final registration expired in 1982, and it would remain unseen publicly until collector Scott Lindsey followed a lead and purchased it from Dickson’s estate through the family. Soon after, Tim Wellborn acquired it for their museum collection.
The One-of-a-Kind Hemi GTX
Tim has always been partial to originality, and this one needed little else but a little cleaning and the door fixed. In speaking with fellow collector Peter Swainson, Tim noted he hated to do anything to this very original car, at which point Swainson told him he owned a ’71 passenger-side door in original EL5 paint. Turning the project over to Roger Gibson, the original-paint door was added onto the original-paint car. Larry’s day-two upgrades were left intact as well.
Today the car is unrestored and retains its original matching-numbers 426/425 HP Hemi engine. Factory options outside include the Air Grabber hood with hold-down pins, front and rear spoilers, sunroof, dual racing mirrors, tinted glass, bumper guards, chrome tips, extra-cost Hi-Impact EL5 paint, and factory-installed graphics. Driving is aided by power steering, power front disc brakes, Hemi-specified suspension, G60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GT tires, and now-replaced 15-inch Rallye wheels. Of course, inside are houndstooth buckets with a six-way driver’s seat, console and Pistol Grip shifter, tachometer, rear window defogger, Strato-ventilation, Light group and Drivers Aid group, inside hood release, aforementioned stereo and upholstery, and rim-blow steering wheel.
