Photo: Holl03/Bring a Trailer
When it comes to 1960s Plymouths, the Satellite doesn't get as much love as the GTX and Road Runner. That's not exactly surprising, though, because the Road Runner and the GTX left a significant mark on the muscle car segment. However, while the Satellite is usually viewed as a more upscale version of the bread-and-butter Belvedere, it was also briefly marketed as a high-performance option.
The Satellite debuted in late 1964 alongside the second-generation Belvedere. The latter had been redesigned for the 1965 model year, and the makeover included a new lineup divided into three trim models. It included the Belvedere I base model, a mid-range Belvedere II with extra features, and the range-topping Satellite.
This new subseries was more than just a Belvedere with extra options as standard features. It was also restricted to the two-door hardtop and convertible body styles. It came with bucket seats and a center console at no additional cost. Moreover, it had a V8 engine as standard, whereas the Belvedere relied on an inline-six in base trim.
All told, the Satellite was both a premium and sporty alternative to the Belvedere. It got the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI in 1966, and it retained its status until the more upscale and exclusive GTX arrived in 1967. The following year, Plymouth turned the Satellite into a proper series that included four-door sedan and station wagon versions.
So, while the 1968-to-1974 Satellite is indeed a somewhat more mundane iteration of the Belvedere, the 1965-to-1967 version is the top-dog Plymouth intermediate of its era (in terms of performance and features). And with the right engine, it's also a solid alternative to the more expensive GTX of the late 1960s.
The HEMI Satellite is obviously the most desirable iteration of the Satellite. It's also a rare rig. Plymouth sold only 817 units in 1966 (27 were convertibles) and just a handful of examples in 1967. The 1965 hardtop you see here is obviously not a HEMI, but it's one of the coolest mid-1960s Mopar sleepers you can buy.
Finished in a very pale shade of yellow, this Satellite may look like a mundane B-body at first glance, but it hides quite a few upgrades under the skin. For starters, it packs a slightly newer 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) big-block V8. The engine was reportedly sourced from a 1967 GTX and includes modern upgrades. It has a forged crankshaft, Eagle connecting rods and pistons, an Edelbrock intake manifold, and a Holley Street Avenger carburetor.
There's no info on how powerful it is, but the four-speed manual and 3.55 rear end should send more than 400 horsepower to the rear wheels. For reference, the four-barrel 440 came with 375 horsepower on tap in 1967.
The car is largely stock otherwise, which is nice if you want a plain-looking Mopar that runs a bit faster than usual. It's not perfect, and it's wrapped in a rather dull color, but it's definitely no lemon. If it's the kind of classic muscle car you'd park in your driveway, this Satellite is being auctioned off as we speak on BaT, with bidding at $13,000 with a couple of hours to go. Would you take it home?
This new subseries was more than just a Belvedere with extra options as standard features. It was also restricted to the two-door hardtop and convertible body styles. It came with bucket seats and a center console at no additional cost. Moreover, it had a V8 engine as standard, whereas the Belvedere relied on an inline-six in base trim.
All told, the Satellite was both a premium and sporty alternative to the Belvedere. It got the mighty 426-cubic-inch (7.0-liter) HEMI in 1966, and it retained its status until the more upscale and exclusive GTX arrived in 1967. The following year, Plymouth turned the Satellite into a proper series that included four-door sedan and station wagon versions.
So, while the 1968-to-1974 Satellite is indeed a somewhat more mundane iteration of the Belvedere, the 1965-to-1967 version is the top-dog Plymouth intermediate of its era (in terms of performance and features). And with the right engine, it's also a solid alternative to the more expensive GTX of the late 1960s.
The HEMI Satellite is obviously the most desirable iteration of the Satellite. It's also a rare rig. Plymouth sold only 817 units in 1966 (27 were convertibles) and just a handful of examples in 1967. The 1965 hardtop you see here is obviously not a HEMI, but it's one of the coolest mid-1960s Mopar sleepers you can buy.
Finished in a very pale shade of yellow, this Satellite may look like a mundane B-body at first glance, but it hides quite a few upgrades under the skin. For starters, it packs a slightly newer 440-cubic-inch (7.2-liter) big-block V8. The engine was reportedly sourced from a 1967 GTX and includes modern upgrades. It has a forged crankshaft, Eagle connecting rods and pistons, an Edelbrock intake manifold, and a Holley Street Avenger carburetor.
There's no info on how powerful it is, but the four-speed manual and 3.55 rear end should send more than 400 horsepower to the rear wheels. For reference, the four-barrel 440 came with 375 horsepower on tap in 1967.
The car is largely stock otherwise, which is nice if you want a plain-looking Mopar that runs a bit faster than usual. It's not perfect, and it's wrapped in a rather dull color, but it's definitely no lemon. If it's the kind of classic muscle car you'd park in your driveway, this Satellite is being auctioned off as we speak on BaT, with bidding at $13,000 with a couple of hours to go. Would you take it home?
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