At first glance, this 1973 Plymouth Satellite sure looks like it left the Windsor, Ontario plant as a genuine Road Runner. However, a previous owner changed out the hood, and emblems, then added the stripes, and once all was completed you’ve got a pretty convincing Road Runner creation. This conversion is believed to have been done around 1984, but the car has spent much of its time sitting since 1989. The good news is it’s still in fairly decent condition overall, and this one might be a good choice for fans of the fuselage Mopar era seeking a fun driver to get behind the wheel of.
The back story goes that the Satellite got driven for a while after the conversion, but was then parked in a Mississippi carport in 1989 before the next owner purchased it in 2010, who put a new battery in and drove the car all the way home to Missouri. That caretaker’s plans to give the car a complete restoration never materialized, and interestingly, he remained under the impression it was a bonafide Road Runner!
A check of the VIN indicates this one was originally equipped with a 318, but under the hood now is a 1975 date code 360, which the seller states is smooth and a strong runner. He also includes a walkaround video in which he states that the engine doesn’t want to start back up easily when warm, with a faulty electronic ignition module suggested as the possible culprit. The Plymouth is said to drive well and has new tires plus fresh brakes all the way around.
While the body appears reasonably straight for the most part, there are a few areas with some rust showing, but hopefully not to the extent that any of the panels will need replacing. This one seems to be a good restoration candidate, but it’s also not too bad as-is on the outside to just enjoy as a driver, so the next owner will have to decide when to take action and whether to keep the Road Runner theme or return the car to its Satellite roots.
The seller describes the dash, headliner, and package tray as toast, but the seats don’t have any noticeable rips, though they have developed some wrinkles. If you’re having visions of what direction to go in here, this one’s located in Munds Park, Arizona, and can be seen here on eBay. So far, nobody has placed the opening bid of $8,950. What are your thoughts on this 1973 Road Runner wannabe Plymouth Satellite?
“Let sleeping dogs lie”. Very convincing conversion job; new bodywork/paint, trim pieces, and interior and you’d have a nice cruiser! Only the VIN would give it away. GLWTA!! :-)
Leave off the spoiler Moparman during the repaint, add a set of anti-slip 3.91 ⚙️ and cruise it 😎
From Jim to Jim, clearly you are a wise man. I agree, this car is probably a lot worse off than it looks. That being said, I’d consider buying it but not for $8950. I’m thinking $4,000 but not much more.
I’m getting sick of all these “clones” out there. Leave the car the way it was. The originals are becoming more rare because everyone is turning them into something they’re not. And why does everyone with a Plymouth or Dodge have to put that spoiler on the deck lid? Looks awful.
It’s got the requisite wing. *cough* . If you’re gonna fake at least go with a 440.
Not a very good buy at $8950. After doing the needed restoration you will have much more invested even if the labor is your own. Then what will you have? You wont even have a Road Runner because every Mopar maniac knows that a RR hardtop serial number begins with RM23. In my opinion, the good RR years were 1968 to 1970. It was downhill after that for various reasons that are widely known.
Looks like a road runner but does it have the beep beep horn? LOL
And I I agree the rear wing is awful
I had a 74, without the tailfin but in emerald green metallic and Plymouth in a huge decal over the rear wheels. same hood and had pins the thing would smoke off tires for as long as you kept the pedal down… well one tire with the 318 and 380+ something rear gears