Rare Hemi GTX Restored by SCS Resident Sells For Quarter-Million

Dave Dudek Muscle Cars’ ground-up restoration of a rare 1971 Plymouth Hemi GTX sold at auction for $253,000 this past weekend in Dallas. The classic muscle car was the highest-selling vehicle of 1,000 American muscle cars, classics, exotics, and hot rods made available over four days by Mecum Auctions, the world’s largest collector-car auction company.

Led by Dave Dudek of St. Clair Shores, the fully restored Hemi GTX features a bright Citron Yella exterior with Black bucket seat interior, a 426 Hemi V-8 engine that offers a screaming 425 horsepower, Rallye wheels, Goodyear G60-15 Polyglass GT tires, factory N96 Air Grabber hood with hold-down pins, automatic transmission, and more. The Plymouth Hemi GTX is one of just 19 GTXs produced with an automatic transmission for that model year.

The 1971 Plymouth GTX along with a 1969 Dodge Daytona were two of 10 rare and exclusive Mopar cars restored by Dave Dudek Muscle Cars and offered for sale by private owner Peter Swainson of Alberta, Canada. Swainson is the president and general manager of Southside Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Alberta.

A collector of some of the world’s most desirable, rare and elusive classic Mopar cars, Swainson's collection of cars was built around his lifelong adoration for the vehicles that furnished the dealership his father purchased in 1971—the same one he would eventually come to own and operate.

“Dave has a great sense of quality workmanship, a knowledge and quick study of factory correct finish and appearance,” said Swainson. “Along with a drive to get it right the first time, Dave's attention to the details made my vehicles stand out above others. His work far exceeded my expectations.”

Dave Dudek Muscle Cars rebuilt the Hemi GTX and Daytona from bumper-to-bumper in a little more than one year. Pre-auction estimates had the GTX in the $200,000 to $250,000 range. The 1969 Dodge Daytona commanded a bid up to $230,000 at the Mecum Dallas auction but did not reach its $260,000 selling goal.

Dave Dudek, 48, has been restoring classic cars with high quality and precision for more than 20 years. Specializing in Mopar vehicles, Dudek is known for period-correct restoration. Dudek's vast knowledge and experience of restoring cars as if they came right from the factory set him apart – down to period correct nuts and bolts, markings, and other distinctions from back in the day. Besides the Hemi GTX, Dudek transformed a 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T that sold for $305,000 in 2006.

For more information, visit www.davedudekmusclecars.com or Like on Facebook.